Fast forward to 2009. Seven-plus seasons into his Sprint Cup career and the three-time defending champion still has his eye on his first road course win. In seven trips to Infineon Raceway, where NASCAR’s top series returns on June 21, Johnson has one top five and only two top 10s. His best finish was fifth in 2004. At NASCAR’s other road course in Watkins Glen, N.Y., he has three top fives and four top 10s in seven starts. Yet that victory has been elusive.
But it’s not for a lack of effort. Johnson and the No. 48 team spend countless hours preparing for the road courses. They tested at Virginia International Raceway in May and at CarolinaMotorsportsPark in Kershaw, S.C., earlier this month.
Crew chief Chad Knaus has thrown everything he can into the setup to give Johnson the best car possible, and is looking to check off Infineon Raceway on the team’s list of wins soon.
“I would be disappointed if I didn’t get a win on a road course at some point,’’ Johnson said when asked if he needs a road course win to make him a complete driver. “We’ve spent a lot of time over the last couple of years to get me more seat time on those tracks, and I’m confident it will come.
“I really like racing on road course and feel like it should be an area of strength for this team.’’
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