[autotag]Jimmie Johnson[/autotag] entered the final lap of Duel No. 1 at Daytona looking down the barrel of elimination. Johnson was behind J.J. Yeley, and if he didn’t find a way by him, it would’ve likely ended his chances of making the Daytona 500. However, a stack-up in the final turn of the qualifying duel made Yeley go to the top while Johnson kept his foot on the pedal. It somehow worked out.
Johnson finished ahead of Yeley and secured a spot in the Great American Race. After the event, the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion talked about the race’s closing laps and making the 2024 Daytona 500. It was clear that Johnson’s stress levels were through the roof.
“I just have such a better appreciation for what many have gone through to race in,” Johnson said. “I was so fortunate for so many years to not have to worry about getting in on speed for a variety of different reasons. Last year went well. We got in on speed. To go through that just now, literally have it come down to the last hundred yards of the Duel, that wasn’t in my playbook.”
A last-lap move @JimmieJohnson will never forget! #BluegreenDuel pic.twitter.com/yMMBSvwGwI
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 16, 2024
“I’m glad I prepared as I did. I’m glad the team was ready. We had a very fast car. Unfortunately with the crash that took place that I was caught up in, pitting, just had us in an awkward position at the back of the field, the last car in either lane. Coming through three and four, there was almost a wreck again. [J.J. Yeley] chose one lane, I chose the middle lane. The middle lane prevailed by the time we got to the start/finish. Just as simple as that.”
It looked rough for Johnson at one point, but he won’t be watching the Daytona 500 from a suite. Instead, he will be competing in the Great American Race, looking for his third victory in the event. It is good for NASCAR to have legends like Johnson still involved, and it makes for a great story that he needed to fight for a spot in the sport’s biggest race.
[lawrence-related id=6906]