The brand new automobile calls for you drive it in another way than earlier generations, which has been a tough transition for Johnson, who has been concerned in a crash in each race he is tried with the Subsequent Gen automobile.
“I discovered final yr with the restricted races that I’ve run is absolutely, actually totally different,” mentioned Johnson, who’s driving the No. 84 Legacy Motor Membership Toyota this weekend.
“I believe the primary 80 p.c is regular, possibly 90 p.c. However that final little bit and the place you run the automobile – I spent a lifetime working a automobile off the best rear. This automobile you simply can not try this. From the aero platform, the tire and I imagine the aspect wall stiffness of the tire, you may’t slip and slide this automobile round like I love to do. It acquired me in Charlotte – the final mile-and-a-half I used to be on in Charlotte – it acquired out entrance beneath me and I crashed.
“I saved telling myself coming into this weekend that I must drive off the best entrance, and also you drive via the best entrance and never my typical model of driving on or via the best rear tire,” defined Johnson. This observe is absolutely treacherous.”
Johnson, who’s now the co-owner of LMC, is making his fifth Cup begin with the Subsequent Gen automobile this weekend. Sadly, he already came upon how treacherous Texas Motor Speedway could be, crashing in apply. Two-time NASCAR Cup Sequence champion Kyle Busch misplaced traction and wrecked in an identical approach.
“In fact, I wish to run in addition to I can,” mentioned Johnson. “I wish to run all of the laps. I wish to assist our firm develop and actually work via this primary quarter, first half of the season with our change to Toyota. There may be simply numerous new issues that we attempting to get our arms round. We’ve had some pace at instances, however persistently having the pace is a giant goal for us proper now, and I hope that my participation this weekend helps us take a step in the best path.”
2024 marks the primary time Johnson has ever pushed something apart from a Chevrolet within the Cup Sequence, becoming a member of forces with Toyota in hopes of gaining extra help for LMC.
Jimmie Johnson, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, Carvana Toyota Camry, Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing, McDonald’s Toyota Camry, Josh Berry, Stewart Haas Racing, SunnyD Ford Mustang
Photograph by: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
“I don’t have numerous time behind the wheel, however I’ve actually loved the connection with everybody from TRD and Toyota Motor North America,” he mentioned of the connection. “They race another way. They’ve very significant relationships and a real definition of a partnership. I’ve actually loved the final two years of attending to know them and the final six or seven months of actually working hand-in-hand, for the reason that finish of final season. I believe now we have a very vibrant future collectively. I’m excited to work with them.”
Johnson’s greatest end within the Subsequent Gen period got here in February’s Daytona 500, ending twenty eighth with a broken automobile. He has extra Cup wins than every other driver at Texas Motor Speedway, successful seven races between 2007 and 2017. He’ll begin thirty seventh in his 691st profession NASCAR Cup Sequence begin on Sunday.
