NASCAR: Winners And Losers From Dover

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Oct 2, 2016; Dover, DE, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (48) during the Citizen Soldier 400 at Dover International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Loser: Jimmie Johnson’s Penalty

The story of Jimmie Johnson’s 2016 season has been the fact that he has suffered from issues–like accidents or pit road miscues–during critical times in races.

At Chicagoland, he led 118 laps but ended up finishing 12th after a late speeding penalty. At Dover, he led 90 laps and was looking like the favorite to win when he was hit with a penalty for crewmen coming over the wall too soon on Lap 282.

Another look at what earned the 48 team the penalty. #TheChase pic.twitter.com/ozhQP4ExMQ
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 2, 2016

After a valiant effort, he was able to push himself all the way back up to 7th and was never in danger of falling below the cut line. However, the pit road penalties are becoming a problem for him and his team.

Instead of Martin Truex Jr., it very well could’ve been Johnson with two wins in the opening round of the Chase, but he found himself racing through on points and looking forward to Charlotte and Kansas, where he’s been very good at in the past.

Johnson ended up earning a great finish, but he was in a great position to earn his 11th win at Dover until that penalty.

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