Jimmie Johnson: "We can be one of the final four cars"

“I really feel between the Nos. 24 and 48, we can be one of the final four cars,” Johnson said during a Breast Cancer Awareness event Wednesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “I have that confidence in how we’ve competed on a variety of tracks and the speed that we’ve had the last one-and-a-half to two months.

“I think it’s just up to us to execute correctly and get the job done.”

Johnson is seeking a NASCAR record-tying seventh Cup series title while Elliott, a rookie, is participating in his first Chase.

A noticeable improvement 

Johnson led the most laps in the Chase opener at Chicagoland Speedway but was relegated to a 12th place finish after a late-race pit road speeding penalty. He finished eighth Sunday at New Hampshire.

Elliott finished third at Chicagoland and 13th at New Hampshire.

Prior to leading 118 laps at Chicagoland, Johnson’s No. 48 team has led just a total of 51 laps in the previous 17 races.

“I’d say we’re about two months into building confidence in our cars and the speed that we have in them. We executed well at New Hampshire. I unfortunately made a mistake at Chicago and cost us a minimum 10 spots on the race track,” Johnson said.

“I feel good that we’re more competitive. Now it’s time to execute in a smooth fashion, and we’re going to have to if we’re going to get to the final four.”

Heading to one of his best tracks

Heading into Sunday’s Citizen Soldier 400 at Dover (Del.) International Speedway, Johnson is eighth in series points, 17 behind leader Brad Keselowski, while Elliott is tied for ninth, 19 behind Keselowski.

The four Chase drivers (of 16) lowest in points without a win after Sunday’s race are eliminated from championship contention.

A trip to Dover is typically good news for Johnson’s team. He’s won more races at Dover (10) then at any other track in the Cup series.

However, he entered last fall’s Dover race in much the same position as this season – needing a good finish to advance to the second round – but ended up finishing 41st after suffering a broken rear axle seal and was eliminated from the Chase.

This season, Johnson also had what for him is a subpar run at Dover, starting 21st and finished 25th, leading just four laps in the process.

Johnson said he didn’t dwell long on last year’s misfortune.

“It’s just a part of racing and over my professional career, I’ve had plenty of those moments,” he said. “Last fall’s Dover race was I think the first time in my career at Hendrick Motorsports that one of those inexpensive parts failed on us.

“You just let it roll off your shoulders and move on. There’s nothing you really learn from that experience. But we do know where we need to finish – we can’t be laps down while fixing a race car.”