Earnhardt, Johnson eye Victory Lane at Talladega
TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have one goal on their mind entering Sunday's race at Talladega Superspeedway -- win.
"It’s definitely a tall order, but we have nothing to lose," said Earnhardt, who is currently in 12th place in the standings. "We’re going to go out there and try to accomplish that goal and give it all we’ve got.”
Without relying on the finish of other drivers, the only way Earnhardt, Johnson and teammate Kasey Kahne can ensure a trip to the eight-driver Eliminator Round of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup is to win.
Johnson is currently in 11th place in the standings, tied with Earnhardt at 26 points behind the eighth-place cut-off position.
Both Johnson and Earnhardt made contact with the wall at Kansas Speedway in the first race of the Contender Round, and then they finished 17th and 20th, respectively, last week at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
"Two bad races would have eliminated me from any opportunity of winning a championship in each previous format," Johnson said of the Chase. "So I feel like I have a third opportunity this weekend. Granted it’s a tough one and a lofty goal; there are many other guys out there with the same goal, not only from a Chase situation but also trying to win a race this year. I’ve got a lot of work ahead for myself and this team this weekend so we’re ready for the challenge. We’ll get out there to work and see what happens.”
As for the approach this weekend, the common theme seems to be a desire to drive up front as often as possible.
Both Johnson and Earnhardt noted the importance of controlling the race when there are just a few pit stops remaining.
Earnhardt said it might even require gambling on fuel mileage to give the team a chance to get to Victory Lane.
"Knowing that I have to win will be in the back of my mind for every lap throughout the race," Earnhardt said. "It’ll be different. I don’t think I’ve been in that situation before; I don’t think any driver has where it’s win or nothing. There are a couple of us like that, too. It’ll be interesting. Hopefully it’s a real exciting race. I hope that everyone walks away satisfied when it comes to the fans and media. We know what we need to do, and we’ll work hard every lap to do it.”
With that in mind, Johnson said that if it comes down to him or a Hendrick Motorsports teammate down the stretch, he will have to focus on helping himself first and foremost.
"At the end of a race, it doesn’t matter if Junior or my mom or anybody – I have to win," he said. "My quest to win a seventh championship is the thing I’m most concerned about. I know my teammates are going to think the same way and have the same approach. We’re out there to win for our teams and ourselves to move on and have a shot at the championship.”
Earnhardt agreed.
"I would never expect any of my teammates to do anything differently," he said. "They’re supposed to go out there and run as good as they possibly can run and finish as well as they possibly can finish every week."
"We are one great company that we all try to work for and try to improve and help. But when it comes down to individual races, you’ve got to do everything you can for the guys that are putting your car together. And you want it, too. I definitely need to move forward. I need to get into the next round. We want to get into the next round and we can’t worry about anybody else to make that happen.”