IndyCar: Jimmie Johnson explains why he has struggled

By Asher Fair | May 14, 2021

Jimmie Johnson, Chip Ganassi Racing, IndyCar - Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Jimmie Johnson discussed why his IndyCar start was so rocky and why he expects a turnaround in his upcoming start at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.

As many expected, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson has struggled since coming to IndyCar ahead of the 2021 season.

In his series and road course debut at Barber Motorsports Park, he finished in 19th place, three laps off the lead lap, after bringing out a caution flag with a spin, and in his street course debut on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, he finished in 22nd, five laps of the lead lap, after two separate single-car incidents.

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The 45-year-old El Cajon, California native expected a steep learning curve, and that is exactly what he has gotten thus far in his open-wheel career.

But he is particularly excited for his third start, as it is slated to come at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.

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Johnson completed his first ever IndyCar test last July at the track after several delays, making it the first track on his 2021 calendar where he actually has some experience. We recently spoke to him about this upcoming race.

“I’m excited about that,” Johnson told Beyond the Flag after talking about his new partnership with Alcon and their Pataday Once Daily Relief Extra Strength allergy eye drops. “Not a ton of laps; I did get to spend a day in the car, which is a lot more than many of the tracks we’re going to, and I also feel like that track, there are some straightaways and some more simple turns and complexes of turns that I think will allow me to be closer on place and closer to the field.”

He believes that a solid run in the upcoming race will be a great experience and help build confidence for him moving forward into his next stretch of races, and he explained why his first two starts weren’t exactly ideal.

“Barber is so physical, so tricky, a lot of blind turns; you can’t see where to place the car until you’re there,” he explained. “The streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, again, very tricky; visibility is very difficult. So Indy is more open, longer straightaways, more for me to see. So I’m excited about this one coming up. I think it will help me out quite a bit.”

He believes that additional experience will slowly but surely help him find more success.

“I feel like the second half of this year, things will start to become more second nature to me and I can kind of be a bit more relaxed, take the pressure off, and just kind of flow with the car and the race weekend,” he added.

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The Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course is scheduled to host the GMR Grand Prix on Saturday, May 15. This race is set to be broadcast live on NBC beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET. It is the third of 13 races on Johnson’s 2021 road and street course schedule with Chip Ganassi Racing behind the wheel of the #48 Honda.