INDIANAPOLIS | Jimmie Johnson is no stranger to kissing the historic bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
At today's Brickyard 400, the veteran NASCAR driver hopes to reunite with the symbolic bricks left behind from the original track that opened in 1909 for a record-tying fourth time.
"Victory Lane is a lot of fun, but you can't wait to get out to that yard of bricks and kiss it," Johnson said of the tradition that began in 1996 by race winner Dale Jarrett and his crew chief, Todd Parrott. "I don't know why it didn't happen sooner."
Johnson, a 34-year-old California native, won his first Brickyard 400 in 2006. Following Tony Stewart's victory in 2007, Johnson claimed the checkered flag in 2008 and 2009 to become the only driver to win consecutive titles at the event.
"It's so cool to be out there on the front stretch and experience that," Johnson said of kissing the bricks. "Todd Parrott had one heck of an idea."
Another victory at the Brickyard would tie Johnson with Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon and Indianapolis 500 legends A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears as the only four-time winners at IMS.
"It would be a huge honor to join the list of four-time winners," Johnson said. "Just to win there once is a career-maker for anyone. To have three victories means a lot to me.
"This track means a lot to motorsports in general -- it doesn't matter what form of racing you came from. To win here is very, very special to me, and I hope to win again."
Johnson, driving the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet, will start second in today's race behind pole winner Juan Pablo Montoya, who won the Indianapolis 500 in 2000. Johnson will be followed by Mark Martin, Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray and Purdue product Ryan Newman.
"Track position is more important than it's ever been," Johnson said. "We're at a track that is really tough to pass at. I started 16th last year, and it took forever to get to the front. I had a great car, I just couldn't pass people. It was really tough."
Winning today's race would keep Johnson in good position to contend for his record fifth consecutive Sprint Cup championship. Drivers have won the Brickyard 400 and the series championship in the same year eight times, with Johnson's three leading the way.
Kevin Harvick leads the points standings with 2,745, followed by Gordon (2,642), Johnson (2,557), Denny Hamlin (2,542) and Kurt Busch (2,524). Johnson, who gets 10 bonus points for each of his five victories so far, should start the postseason Chase at or near the top.
"Where we are in the points right now, we're pretty comfortable," said Johnson, who has six regular-season races left after today. "We've been here other years where we weren't as strong in the points and needed a good run to get things situated for the Chase. Where we are right now, we're looking for a home run."
Along with his five victories this season, Johnson has eight top-five finishes and 11 top-10 finishes. He won 29 races during his run of four straight Cup titles, including a career-best 10 in 2007.
Other drivers haven't been able to figure out the keys to Johnson's success in recent years.
"If we all knew that, we'd be duplicating it," said Stewart, who also won the Brickyard 400 in 2005. "They've just been on a roll. When you have momentum like that, things seem to always go your way. They've had a lot of good luck on their side, but luck is when preparation meets opportunity."
Gordon, who won the inaugural Brickyard 400 in 1994 and also won titles in 1998, 2001 and 2004, is hoping for a little good luck of his own. It's been 15 months and 48 races since he won a Sprint Cup race.
"I never say you're owed a win or deserve a win unless you go out there, work hard at it and race the competition," said Gordon, who was raised in Pittsboro, Ind. "We've got to do our jobs better than everybody else, and we'll win the race. We've put ourselves in position many times this year, but haven't sealed the deal.
"I can't think of a better time or place to have a victory than right here. All we have to do is win this race, and all of a sudden, we'll be the favorite for the (Cup) championship. That's how big this weekend is for us."
