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Associated Press

Jimmie Johnson, getting out of his car after Sunday's postponement, is climbing in the standings.

THIS WEEK'S RACE

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Posted on Thu, Feb. 28, 2008

Johnson, Gordon rebound after Daytona, look ahead to Vegas

by Bill Fleischman

Following the Daytona 500, two familiar names were absent from the top 10 in points. In fact, two-time defending Cup series champion Jimmie Johnson was way down at 26th place, and teammate Jeff Gordon was a distant 39th.

One race into a season is no time to panic, but Johnson acknowledged the Daytona result was unsettling.

"I'd by lying if I said we weren't worried when we left Daytona," Johnson said on a Tuesday conference call. "We tried to stay calm and relaxed, but we're aware of where we were in the points. The last thing we want to do was get off to a slow start. If you get behind early, it's really tough to make up time and points."

Johnson and Gordon quickly rebounded in the rain-delayed race Monday at Fontana, Calif. Johnson led the most laps (76) in finishing runner-up to Carl Edwards; Gordon was third.

Heading into Sunday's race in Las Vegas, Johnson has climbed to eighth in points, Gordon 14th.

Johnson should be the first driver to arrive at the Vegas track: He has won three consecutive races at the 1.5-mile oval. Gordon is the last driver to win four in a row at a track; he conquered the fall races at Darlington from 1995 to '98.

Johnson swept both races at Lowe's Motor Speedway in 2004 and '05.

"The experience at Lowe's has helped me moving into Las Vegas," he said. "It's tough to remove the emotions and the excitement to maybe do something that hasn't been done in a long time.

"But the more I cannot think about it and stick to the basics, driving the race car and trying to win the race, the better. I was a little too focused on those things at Lowe's. There's no need to put more pressure on myself than I already would."

Johnson believes it's too early in the season to predict racing trends.

"With the Car of Tomorrow, the make of vehicle is much less important than it's ever been," he said. "From an aero balance, they're all the same. Some engines have a little more horsepower based on some numbers we saw in Daytona.

"I think four or five races from now we can form an opinion as to what company, what race team is the strongest."

Fired up in Vegas

During a trip to Las Vegas last month, my wife and I visited Las Vegas Motor Speedway. There are four race tracks at the impressive facility: the 1.5-mile oval where the Cup series races are held; a drag strip, a half-mile dirt track and a three-eighths-mile "bullring." Something for every race fan.

We combined a tour of the track with a visit to nearby Valley of Fire State Park. The scenery is spectacular, rich red soil and overwhelming vastness.

"Dining" tips: Eat before you get to the track. The only restaurant near the exit for the track is a truck stop. There are no restaurants on the way to Valley of Fire.

Challenging the Chevys

For those of us hoping for some serious competition for the Hendrick Chevrolets this season, Edwards' victory in Califorinia is a positive sign.

Edwards, driving the No. 99 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing, followed the Daytona win by Ryan Newman in a Penske Racing Dodge.

"There are very minor differences between the cars that are winning and the cars that are running fifth or sixth," Edwards said following his eighth career Cup win.

Team owner Jack Roush was overflowing with optimism.

"We're going to have a great year, and Carl is going to be in the front of it," he said.

This week's race

UAW-Dodge 400

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

When: Sunday, 4:30 p.m.

TV/Radio: Fox/WXTU (92.5-FM), WNPV (1440-AM)

Race course: 1.5-mile oval

Race distance: 267 laps/400 miles

Last year's race winner: Jimmie Johnson

Last year's pole winner: Kasey Kahne, 184.856 mph (March 2007); track qualifying record.

Track facts: Jimmie Johnson has won the last three Cup series races at Las Vegas. Jeff Gordon was runnerup in last year's race; Denny Hamlin was third ... In 10 Cup races at Las Vegas, no driver has won from the pole position ... Las Vegas native Kyle Busch finished second in the 2005 race, third in '06 ... In eight Vegas starts, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has only one top-10 finish, second in '03.

SPRINT CUP POINTS LEADERS

1. Kyle Busch, 335.

2. Ryan Newman, 329

3. Tony Stewart, 316

4. Kurt Busch, 299

5. Carl Edwards, 296

6. Kasey Kahne, 294

7. Kevin Harvick, 268

8. Jimmie Johnson, 267

9. Greg Biffle, 262

10. Jeff Burton, 261

11. Brian Vickers, 257