Jimmie Johnson is a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and the GOAT in the eyes of many. But all those achievements came while driving the No. 48 car at Hendrick Motorsports. Driving the No. 84 for Legacy Motor Club, which he co-owns, is a different number that comes with a much different perspective.
The two-time Daytona 500 champion has never had to sweat out qualifying and running in the Duels to secure a spot in the Great American Race. On Thursday, he did just that and it came with some tension-filled moments late in the race after the NASCAR Hall of Famer was involved in an incident with 10 laps to go and dropped to the back of the field.
On the subsequent restart with six laps remaining, Johnson knew he had to pass the other open car, the No. 44 of JJ Yeley, to secure a spot in the 500. Just as the cars approached the green flag to resume action, the driver made a request of his spotter.
@JimmieJohnson qualified for the Daytona 500 but there were some tension-filled moments during his Duels race, including him desperately trying to get help from his Legacy Motor Club teammate @Erik_Jones. pic.twitter.com/XZqXudU4NH
— Kyle Dalton (@kdsportswriter) February 16, 2024
“Erik can help me a ton here,” Johnson said over the team radio, referring to the No. 43 LMC car driven by Erik Jones, which was six cars in front but in the outside lane.
“I’m sure they’re telling him,” his spotter replied.
After taking the green and hard racing with Yeley for a couple of laps, the 48-year-old had another request.
“Need Erik to drag back,” Johnson suggested.
“They’re working on it,” his spotter assured him. “Burdett’s telling him. I told him.”
Just 30 seconds later, being unable to gain ground, the veteran driver’s frustrations boiled over.
“I need f****** help!” he called out.
A minute later, Johnson again mentioned needing “help from the 43.”
Johnson Relieved to Qualify for Daytona 500 After Tension-Filled Moments
In the end, Jones didn’t provide help to Johnson. On that final lap, the No. 84 battled back and forth with the No. 44, falling behind in the first half of the trip around the 2.5-mile circuit, but then in the final couple hundred yards, taking advantage of cars stacking up in the outside lane and Yeley taking avoidance measures and moving up the track, slipping by on the inside to take the checkered flag in 12th position. Yeley finished 16th.
Just minutes after his heated words over the team radio, Johnson expressed relief and appreciation at the same time in his post-race interview.
“I’ve never been in a position like this before,” he told Fox’s Jamie Little. “I have such a great appreciation for everyone before me that’s tried to race their way in. Although there’s only six more cars, I know at one time there were many more. It’s very stressful. Very thankful that we got this Carvana Toyota in the race.”
Could Johnson’s newfound appreciation for his experience in the Duels provide him with extra motivation to win his third Harley J. Earl Trophy? We’ll find out on Sunday.
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