Jimmie Johnson 2014 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
2013 Stats: Points Finish 1st, 3 Poles, 6 Wins, 16 Top Fives, 24 Top Tens, Average Running Position 9.3, Average Finish 10.7, Laps Led 1,985, Driver Rating 110.29
Strengths- Jimmie Johnson is the best driver on the best team. He’s capable of accomplishing any task in NASCAR. Just look at the variety of circumstances that he’s won championships under. Johnson is a threat to win every weekend.
Weaknesses- He’s been very strong at Michigan but he’s found trouble there all to often. Also when Jimmie Johnson gets into a slump you better watch out.
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Intermediate Track Grade- A+, In the last decade Jimmie Johnson has dominated on intermediate tracks. Last season on this track type he scored the 5th most points, won twice, had a 11.8 average finish and a 9.1 average running position. If he didn’t have problems at some of these tracks while he was having a good day his stats would be even more impressive.
In the Chase this team really stepped up their game on this track type. In the Chase they scored the most points, had a 3.4 average finish, 4.4 average running position, led the most laps (524 more than the closest competitor) and had the best driver rating by 15.62.
In 2012 on this track type Johnson scored the most points in the series. In 2014 I expect this team to be very strong on this track type.
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Flat Track Grade- A+, Jimmie Johnson is a dominant driver on flat tracks. Last season no driver accumulated more points on this track type. In 2012 he scored the 3rd most points.
On the big flat tracks last season Johnson had unmatched speed. At Indy he finished 2nd. He had the best car but Ryan Newman beat him on pit strategy. In 2012 Johnson got his 4th career Indy win.
At Pocono in June his car was in a zip code of its own. In that race he went to victory lane and led 80% percent of the laps. In the August Pocono race he had a car that was capable of winning but while he was leading he had a cut tire and got into the wall hard.
On small flat tracks last season Johnson scored the most points in the series. On them he had a 3.8 average finish, 3 top fives (most in series), and was the only driver who finished in the top ten every race. Also on these tracks last season he had a 7.8 average running position and the best driver rating.
Short Track Grade- A-, Jimmie Johnson is an extremely strong short track driver. His best short track by a wide margin is Martinsville. At that venue he has 8 wins and a 5.3 average finish. At Martinsville in spring 2013 he won the pole, won the race and led 346 laps. In the fall he finished 5th and led 123 laps.
Richmond has historically been an up and down track for him. At this track he’s gone through periods of great success and periods where this venue belongs in the conversation of what is his worst track. Last fall at Richmond he missed practice and qualifying due to the birth of his new daughter. Because of those circumstances he was totally lost on race day and I think that result should get an asterisk mark. In the 8 prior Richmond races he had four top tens and finished between 6th and 13th in every race but one.
Johnson had a tough year at Bristol last season. He had results of 36th and 22nd. Prior to 2013 he had an extended period of success. In the eight races before last season he finished in the top ten in every race but one. In the one race he didn’t finish within that mark he was running near the front but was wrecked by Montoya.
In 2012 on this track type Johnson scored the 2nd most points.
Check out these other driver previews: Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Restrictor Plate Track Grade- A, Jimmie Johnson was strong on plate tracks last season. In 2013 no driver scored more points on this track type. Him and Chad Knaus found something that gave them an edge on the competition. Traditionally these venues haven’t been a strength.
Last season at Daytona Johnson won both races. Prior to his wins his track record was dreadful since the mid 2000’s. Between 2007 and 2012 he had 2 top tens and 10 finishes of 20th or worse. Seven of those results were 31st or worse.
At Talladega last season he had results of 5th and 13th. In both of those races the case could be made that Johnson had the strongest car.
In 2012 on plate tracks Johnson scored the 30th most points in the series.
Road Course Track Grade- A, Jimmie Johnson is a very good driver on road courses. On this track type he has six straight top ten results. At Infineon he’s a former winner. In 2010 when Marcos Ambrose shut off his engine under caution Johnson went to victory lane. Last season he finished 9th. Currently he has five consecutive top tens at Infineon.
At Watkins Glen he has three straight top tens. Last season he finished 8th. In 12 races at the Glen he has a 12.8 average result and has finished in the top twelve 66% percent of the time.
In 2013 Johnson scored the 5th most points on this track type. In 2012 he scored the 4th most points.
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