“Jimmie has done a good job of improving his road course mentality and as a team we have done a good job,’’ Knaus said. “We just haven’t had the opportunity to show it yet.’’
Johnson doesn’t hesitate to call on Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon, one of the top road course drivers in the garage, for advice. He also has worked with road course specialist Max Papis. Competing in the Rolex 24 at Daytona also has helped.
But so far his most memorable road course moment may have come in the Nationwide Series at Watkins Glen when the brakes failed and he flew over a sand trap into a foam barrier.
“Everyone asks me why I got out and climbed on top of the car after I crashed,’’ Johnson said. “I just remember being happy that I was fine.’’
The next time he climbs on top of a car at a road course Johnson hopes is after a win.
“One of our goals is to win a road course race this year,’’ Knaus said. “A lot of our stuff comes from preparation leading up to the race as far as from the team’s aspect with trying to figure out pit strategies and looking forward to seeing what is going to happen there.
“I’m looking at past history and what not,” Knaus added. “As far as Jimmie’s side of things, he’s pretty solid.’’ He has been since his first road course experience 17 years ago.
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