SPORTS: Sophomore soars

Sophomore soars

No jinx, just the consistency that marked Jimmie Johnson's progression to Winston Cup.

By JOANNE KORTH, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 26, 2003

Jimmie Johnson honestly believed he had everything under control, that he was taking stardom, success and the pressure of being hand-picked by Jeff Gordon in easy stride.

Well, it sounded good.

"It wore on me a lot more than I thought," said Johnson, 27, driver of the No.48 Chevrolet. "When you're in it day to day, you feel like you're managing and everything is taking care of itself. But the year really took a lot more out of me than I had ever expected."

Johnson returns this weekend to California Speedway, site of his emotional first Winston Cup victory. His rookie season was just 10 races old when Johnson won last year at his home track, forever raising the stakes on his promising career.

The victory sparked one of the best rookie seasons in NASCAR's modern era as Johnson finished fifth in points and tied the record of three victories. He became the first rookie to lead the points, for one week in September.

"Last year we were running well and competing for wins, but we didn't expect to win that soon or that early into the season," said Johnson, a native of El Cajon, near San Diego.

"We had hoped that by the end of the year we were going to be a contender for race wins. But when it all came together, and to win in my home state, it couldn't have gone any better for me. It was such a cool thing to have my friends and family in the stands."

Those skeptical that a driver who spent his youth riding motorcycles and driving off-road trucks could so quickly adapt to stock cars waited for Johnson to fall apart last season. They're still waiting.

"Everybody wants to know, "Can you do it again? What are you going to do now?"' said crew chief Chad Knaus, whose aggressive setups and pit calls are an interesting contrast to Johnson's laid-back style. "It's all about, "How have you impressed me lately.' But I really think we can have as good a season as we did last year, if not even better."

Remarkably consistent as a rookie, Johnson logged 21 top 10s and six top fives. Though still looking for his first win in 2003, he has five top 10s and ranks fourth in points, 179 behind leader Matt Kenseth. Johnson has been among the top 10 in points for 42 consecutive races.

"I've been very lucky to have that consistency in all forms of racing, so I think it's kind of my style," Johnson said. "I've always had to make the most out of my opportunities throughout my career. If I went out there and tore up somebody's equipment or made some dumb moves, I wasn't going to get the ride.

"But at the same time I had to go out there and be fast and show that I had potential and could win races. So, I've been able to adapt to a style where I know how to push when I need to, but not take unnecessary risks."

The defending winner of Sunday's Auto Club 500, Johnson said there is no guarantee he will again be strong on the smooth 2-mile speedway. But it's a pretty safe bet.

Johnson excels at fast tracks. Last year, his 3,813 points on tracks 1 mile or longer were second only to Gordon, the four-time champ who is Johnson's teammate and co-car owner at Hendrick Motorsports. At those tracks Johnson had three wins - including a sweep of the two Dover events - three poles, six top fives and 19 top 10s.

"Things change so fast that we're kind of starting over again from ground zero," Johnson said. "But I like the racetrack and Chad knows how to set the race car up there. As much as you would think being the defending champion helps you and would give you and the team confidence to come back, the car isn't the same."

Then again, neither is Johnson.

With a year's experience, he believes he is a better driver. He also has a better handle on the demands - the public appearances, the media interviews, the commercial shoots - that come with being a celebrity.

His plan is to take care of such obligations at the beginning of the season - April and May look to be his busiest months - so that by the end of the season he can focus solely on racing. That, he said, is when Gordon and reigning champ Tony Stewart set themselves apart from the field.

"Now, coming back with a little bit of confidence and security in my abilities and where I fit in the sport, I'm able to really look at things in a different light without feeling that extreme pressure and stuff that I felt last year," Johnson said. "I'm a much different driver, a much smarter driver than I was last year.

"So, we are trying to relax, chill out, do what we can, get what we can every week and when we get to September, try to step it up and see who can step up with us."

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