NASCAR: 5 tracks where Jimmie Johnson could end his win drought

Bristol Motor Speedway

When you think of tracks that Jimmie Johnson has dominated over the years, Bristol Motor Speedway typically isn’t one that comes to mind. He’s definitely not on the level of competitor Kyle Busch when it comes to the 0.533-mile short track.

While not on the same level as races at Daytona International Speedway or Talladega Superspeedway, races at Bristol Motor Speedway can be seen as opportunities for some of the drivers who typically run mid-pack to run at the front. Matt DiBenedetto is a prime example of this.

He finished in sixth place in the first race during the 2016 season and backed that up with a 17th place run in the second race. That same car finished in 35th in owner standings that season. He finished in second in the second race there last year in a car that finished in 22nd in the owner standings.

But back to Johnson. He has finished inside the top 11 in nine of the last 11 races at Bristol Motor Speedway including a victory in 2017.

While 2018 marked one of Johnson’s worst seasons in the Cup Series, he walked away with finishes of third and ninth place in at the two races there that season.

Last year’s second race there saw some more bad luck for Johnson. He was running behind Austin Dillon when Dillon cut a tire and forced both himself and Johnson into the wall.

His #48 Chevrolet seems to be getting better and better by the week. The first race at Bristol Motor Speedway of the 2020 season is coming up at the end of May, and it could be a great opportunity for Johnson to capture career win number 84. If not, he could be just beginning his run for an eighth championship once the playoff race at the track rolls around.