I Am Excited To Get Into The Ovals

Chip Ganassi Racing’s Jimmie Johnson in the No.48 Carvana American Legion Honda says that he is excited to see what he can do with an IndyCar on ovals this season.

Speaking to Paddock Eye at the Firestone Grand Prix presented by RP Funding on Friday Johnson said that obviously heading into year two the expectations are higher compared to his debut season in 21 having made the step up to a full-time seat.

When it comes to the differences between the IndyCar and NASCAR on an oval, Johnson said it is just a case of trying to understand the speed of an IndyCar on an oval in terms of the G-force loads and the balance of the car.

Johnson revealed that when it comes to a NASCAR when it comes to missing the balance you want to have oversteer going into a corner whereas in an IndyCar you want to have understeer.

Johnson said that he was surprised to experience similar scenarios with the IndyCar and NASCAR during his test at Texas Motor Speedway.

When it comes to his expectations for this year, Johnson said that he would like to finish in the top 15 and that a top-ten mid-season or towards the end of the year would be a great result for him.

When it comes to ovals, he said that he is not sure where he stands because he hasn’t raced an IndyCar on them yet but he says that the top-ten in qualifying and improving from there is the aim.

In terms of the race here in St Pete, Johnson said we have a large rookie field and he is not sure how that is going to shake out in qualifying grid order.

The more forward up the field he starts, Johnson believes he can end the race with a top-15 finish.