Johnson: New-era Chase has 'challenged friendships'
The new Chase has injected an undeniable sense of drama into NASCAR’s playoff, and six-time champion Jimmie Johnson believes it’s “challenged a lot of friendships.”
In two years, these feuds have erupted: Matt Kenseth vs. Brad Keselowski, Keselowski vs. Jeff Gordon, Kenseth vs. Joey Logano and Kevin Harvick vs. Jimmie Johnson.
So what exactly makes the Chase so intense, even during races that are not among the four eliminations?
“It’s almost like each of the final 10 races is the championship,” Johnson said. “You know what I mean? Like your championship really depends on that race. So then we get 10 opportunities to be total fools. Like, ‘Somebody took it from me, I’m going to take it from them.’
“You really have that sense of urgency that ‘my championship is about today.’ And by the way, we’re only at New Hampshire.”
Johnson said the regular-season events are similar to how they’ve always been. Drivers are “chill and relaxed” and they motion for faster cars to drive by and start racing harder toward the finish.
But when the Chase arrives?
“Everybody knows today could be the day it ends,” said Johnson, who was shockingly eliminated in the first round last year. “We all want it so bad.”
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PHOTOS: Behind the wheel with Jimmie Johnson