Well, we’ve seen our first race of the year – the Budweiser Shootout. Jimmie Johnson did okay but he didn’t win. He missed the wreck in practice and was smart in running very few laps to miss the next wreck. His teammates, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin, are on the front row for the Daytona 500 but we have yet to know how Johnson will fair. His other teammate, Jeff Gordon, announced he is competing with him in the race for having a child, as he and his wife Ingrid are expecting their second child shortly after Jimmie and Chandra (seriously – what is in the water this year??). This is what we’ve seen in the last week on our screens, so let’s see what behind-the-scenes extra special things the Race to Daytona brings us!
The show opens with Crew Chief Chad Knaus lecturing the team about not giving in to the hype about how everyone is saying they are “the team to beat.” They are their own toughest competition. They are preparing to leaving for Daytona the next day and sit down with the team psychologist to mentally prepare them. Knaus has them fill out forms and he is calling them out on their mistakes in front of everyone – man, he is intense! We are introduced to Ron Malec, the car chief, Knaus’ right-hand man. Johnson visits the shop for last-minute check ups and everything is ready to go (with the exception of one pit crew member’s pants being too short! A funny moment…). Knaus does one last run through (he finds a scratch – boo….). Finally, the cars are loaded into the hauler and off they go. Destination: Daytona!
Johnson heads home to pack up his bags, his dogs and get Chandra to head down to Daytona (they fly on the Hendrick Motorsports jet) and Knaus arrives shortly after. It’s Thursday, the first day of Daytona Speedweeks – Media Day. While Johnson goes through five hours of making commercials and giving interviews, his No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet is going through inspection, with Knaus and Malec looking on. The car passes and it’s now time to practice for the Budweiser Shootout. As fans, we already know what happens, but we get to see it all again! Johnson was in front of the crash and didn’t catch any of it and leaves the practice early to avoid any more wrecks as a second crash occurs. Johnson heads to Miami for a charity event he co-hosts with Nick Lachey (really?? Hmm…) with Snoop Dogg as the performer. Despite being exhausted, Johnson catches a second wind and parties into the night. It’s for a good cause, right? And Snoop Doog is apparently a “Double J” fan. Who would’ve known?
Back in North Carolina, the 48 crew is having a contest against the 24 crew to see who has the best average pit stops. Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 crew wins. BOO. At the track, an exhausted Johnson takes to the track for a Daytona 500 practice, placing 12th. There is an issue with the car turning and they can’t figure out how to get it right. They decide to change the steering box, but never get to practice it that day, as practice is rained out. The next day, Saturday, will have two events: Daytona 500 Qualifying and the Budweiser Shootout. Two events in one day is a rare opportunity for teams so drivers and crews enjoy it. As Johnson qualifies, his pit crew lands in Daytona, read to go for the Shootout. Knaus leads Johnson through qualifying – he places 6th (Gordon took 10th). After some rest, it’s time to finally race.
As Johnson gets ready for the race, he reminds his wife to stay calm since she’s pregnant – it’s her first race as a driver’s pregnant wife. It’s been questioned whether or not a driver can concentrate knowing his wife is pregnant, so, this should be interesting to watch. Johnson starts 16th and makes his way to the head of the pack as Kurt Busch crashes, testing the 48 crew for the first time in the season during the caution. 14.30 seconds – not quite the 12 they were aiming for, but still a good one overall. However, Johnson’s tires start to go and he falls back, causing him to stay low on the track in the back, but this winds up helping him as he avoids the big wreck at the end. He finished 13th (out of 24 cars) but his car was untouched, which means he still has a decent backup car for the Daytona 500.
“The Great American Race…is five days away.” … “It’s finally here.”
Yes it is Jimmie, yes it is. The question is, will you be the one in Victory Lane when the checkered flag waves?
That’s it for part three. Next week is the series finale. We will know whether or not Johnson has won the Daytona 500. Do you think he has what it takes?
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Photo courtesy of Farrah Kaye.
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