If Jimmie Johnson is to win at Darlington Raceway for the third time in his career, he’s going to have to do it from the rear of the field.
The defending series champion totaled his No. 48 car Friday in a hard crash during qualifying for the Southern 500. Johnson’s Chevrolet wiggled loose in Turn 2, impacted the outside wall, and then rebounded into the inside wall. Although the driver was unhurt, the car suffered serious damage to both ends. NASCAR.com
“You’ve got to push really hard. You’ve got to be committed,” Gordon said. “This track is narrow. It’s got a lot of grip, but the edge is right there. It’s really easy to break loose.”
That’s what happened to Johnson, a two-time winner at Darlington. His No. 48 Chevrolet slid in turn two, the back end crunching the wall then the front side bounding into an interior wall and coming to a stop.
Johnson’s crew ran out to help. He was taken the infield care center for evaluation and released a short time later.
Johnson said right before his lap, crew chief Chad Knaus’ “final words were, ‘Go like hell,’ and off I went and didn’t make it back.”
Johnson qualified on owner’s points and will start 42nd, his worst opening spot in 11 career Cup races at Darlington. The Associated Press
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