Jimmie Johnson: Was He Driving a Scared Throttle at Martinsville?

(Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Was Jimmie Johnson checking out his rear-view mirror for most of the Martinsville race?

He may have been; he looked like he wanted no part of certain drivers.

The most obvious was Denny Hamlin. He wanted no part of that guy; I’m sure JJ and his crew chief heard Hamlin’s interviews.

Hamlin said he was going to do what he needed to win the race, and that included payback.

In other words, moving No. 48 out of the way.

The payback was in reference to the spring Martinsville race where No. 48 put a rubbing on the No. 11 that cost Hamlin the win.

Johnson did not look like the dominant driver he was during the first five Chase races, giving up the spots too easily.

It was like they were shooting a scared stick; maybe they were afraid of getting punted.

I understand the crew warned JJ about Juan Pablo Montoya beating up on the No. 24 and told him to be careful.

Did you notice how Johnson was not aggressive about protecting his lead but just let No. 42 pass him?

It all makes me wonder.

Is Jimmie Johnson vulnerable?

Will this team be playing, in football terms, a "prevent defense" in the last four races?

If they are playing it safe, could that open the door for someone to challenge them?

Will this team be looking at its rear-view mirror the rest of the chase?

Is this team fearful that someone will wreck them in the next few races and ruin their fourth championship?

One thing was obvious at Martinsville: If you can keep No. 48 close, they won’t challenge you, they will not get into a rubbing match, and they will get out of the way if you play bumper car with them.

In previous races, they were able to get up front and have no one challenge them.

If other teams can challenge him early and get in his head, get him worried, he could be vulnerable.

It’s unfortunate, but for this chase to get interesting, the No. 48 team needs a DNF.

I don’t know one fan who is wishing for that.

I just hope for a safe Talladega race.

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