Jimmie Johnson talks keys to Martinsville success

RIDGEWAY, Va. – When one looks back on the previous races that were held at Martinsville Speedway over the years, one of the most dominant drivers would be seven-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson. Throughout his illustrious career, Johnson has captured nine checkered flags at NASCAR’s oldest racetrack. 

Johnson spoke with The Racing Experts about the keys to his success.

“There’s certainly things a driver can do to make for a better day,” Johnson said. “We had a setup that was so unbeatable and so strong for so many years, and now there isn’t a ride height rule. We haven’t really had our success since that point in time. I feel even though we have a lot of clocks (trophies) and led a lot of laps here, we’re still trying to catch up to where some of these other teams are.

“To have three cars in the final round, qualify in the top-12, we’ve improved our package from where we were last Fall but we still have a ways to go.”

Johnson’s last win at Martinsville came in the Fall of 2016, which propelled him into the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway which allowed him to compete for an earn a record-tying seventh championship. It has been 64 races since the driver of the Ally Chevrolet reached Victory Lane at Dover in 2017.