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Johnson said he and his crew still have some kinks to work out, especially during pit stops, where he’s uncharacteristically made a number of unforced errors.

“This year it’s been more about small mistakes we keep making as a team,” he said. “Like on pit road I keep, getting busted and struggling with different issues on pit stops and with that stuff. I’m glad that it’s in that department because we can work on those details. With the way the rules sit and the way we operate right now if we were behind with the chassis it would be so hard to catch up and using the practice sessions that you have each week to catch up. So I feel like we are in a really good spot but it is a little different than the other years.”

If history is an accurate barometer, the best may yet to come this season for Johnson and the No. 48 squad.

“The last three years the second half of the season has been really good,” said Johnson. “There is so much pressure and stress on your shoulders through a championship battle that it’s tough to really say that you enjoy it but when it’s over and you have finished well or won the championship, it’s great.”

Can Johnson get it done again? Time will tell. But one thing for certain, he’ll have some fierce competition again this year.

Sprint Cup Standings

“With the Chase, no matter what kind of year you’re having it doesn’t guarantee anything until that final 10, but I think that what Jimmie (Johnson) has accomplished over the last three years and that entire team — I think that’s motivated everybody in this garage area,” said four-time champion Gordon. “I think it’s motivated them to go for four because it’s never been done and I think it’s motivated the rest of us to stop and to know that they are going to be a major threat for the championship and that if you can beat those guys then you are doing something really special.”

Tom Jensen is the Editor in Chief for SPEEDtv.com, the former Executive Editor of NASCAR Scene and a contributing Editor for TruckSeries.com. He is the author of “Cheating: The Bad Things Good NASCAR Nextel Cup Racers Do In Pursuit of SPEED,” and has appeared on television and radio shows to discuss NASCAR racing. Jensen is the past President of the National Motorsports Press Association. Jensen is the 1997 National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year and has won numerous national and state awards for news reporting, columns and feature writing. The Answer Man is back at SPEEDtv.com. Tom Jensen answers your questions during every race week and looks forward to hearing from you - please e-mail it to

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