NASCAR notes: Jimmie Johnson eyeing return to winning ways

Jimmie Johnson understands the pressure the best athletes face because he’s in that category.

If a season ends without a championship for Johnson, it seems like a disappointment. Such was the case in 2014 even though he won four races, had 11 top-five runs and 20 top-10s.

That’s why Johnson feels for Tiger Woods, who falls in a similar category. If Woods isn’t winning major championships in golf, people wonder why. Johnson has the same issue in non-championship seasons after winning five straight between 2006-10, and again in 2013.

“Anybody in sports that dominates, everybody has a visual in their mind of them at their peak, and it’s tough to watch somebody struggle along,” Johnson said. “I would love to see him come back, being in my position.”

Johnson doesn’t face as many hurdles as Woods in getting back to a championship level. After all, he wasn’t that far off last year. He was knocked out in the Contender Round, when the field drops from 12 to eight.

So that’s why Johnson goes into this season confident he can contend once again. The new Chase format makes it more unpredictable, along with more exciting, with the championship boiling down to the final week.

It’s hard to see someone duplicate Johnson’s run of five consecutive championships under this format, but he’ll settle for another one this season. And then try to keep that streak going forward.

“I feel with my talents as a driver, the team that I drive for, the commitment we all have for the sport, regardless of format we’re going to be a threat and have a shot to win championships,” Johnson said.

Purdy in pace car

Amy Purdy, a paralympics snowboarder and Dancing With the Stars contestant, is the official pace car driver for this year’s race.

“As a race fan, I’m thrilled to be invited to be the honorary pace car driver at the biggest race of the NASCAR season,” Purdy said. “This is another opportunity to try something new and be bold in my own life.”

Purdy won’t be the only celebrity participating in pre-race activities.

Kid Rock is playing a concert, Phillip Phillips is singing the national anthem, actor Vince Vaughn is the grand marshal and players from the U.S. women’s soccer team, namely Abby Wambach, Kelley O’Hara and Christie Rampone, will serve as honorary starters.

He said it

“So far, everyone at [Joe Gibbs Racing] and Toyota have exceeded my expectations. It’s been very good. We haven’t raced a lot. I’m sure we’ll have rough times just like everyone does, but so far it’s been great.” — Carl Edwards, who is in his first year with JGR after switching from Roush Fenway Racing

Telling number

7 Daytona 500 wins by current drivers for Hendrick Motorsports — Jeff Gordon (1997, 1999, 2005), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2004, 2014), Jimmie Johnson (2006, 2013).

This story was originally published February 19, 2015 at 6:00 PM with the headline "NASCAR notes: Jimmie Johnson eyeing return to winning ways."