Johnson trying to get Bristol 'dialed in'

            BRISTOL, Tenn. – Where Bristol Motor Speedway is concerned, Jimmie Johnson is an infantryman, gradually finding the range.

            In his last nine Sprint Cup appearances at the so-called “world’s fastest half mile,” Johnson’s finishes reflect gradual improvement: beginning with the race on Aug. 27, 2005, Johnson has posted finishes of 36^th, 30^th, 10^th, 16^th, 21^st, 18^th, 33^rd, third and eighth. Over the same span, he has qualified 29^th, fifth, 18^th, sixth, ninth, first, 34^th, third, 21^st and, for the Food City 500, fourth.

            Johnson has used the same word to describe his frustrations for several years: rhythm.

            “There's just a certain rhythm here that has not fit my style,” he said. “I have been in the same cars as Jeff (Gordon); identical set-ups. We've been here back when we could test (except in rare instances, NASCAR now bans the practice at tracks it sanctions). He's driven my car and went a lot faster (laughs). I've done everything, and the rhythm of this race track hasn't fit my style.”

            As the numbers indicate, though, Johnson’s getting better.

“I have continued to work on it,” he said. “The last two races here, I've felt very competitive. … I feel much more confident in the race, and I feel that we do have a chance to win here.”

            One can almost hear the groans. “Oh, great.” Johnson has already won half the season’s races to date, this in addition, of course, that he has won the past four championships. The opposition relishes what few weaknesses there are in the 34-year-old Californian’s repertoire.

            Gordon, of course, has won five times here, though, amazingly, not since 2002. He has, however, finished in the top five four times in the past seven races. This time he qualified fifth, a row behind Johnson. The remaining Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolets are to be lined up in 13^th place (Mark Martin) and 18^th (Dale Earnhardt Jr.).

            “… This is one of those tracks where it’s easy for people’s tempers to get the best of them,” said Gordon. “It’s close action that cause those things, and they’re moments that we all remember.

“They (NASCAR officials) have set the tone of OK, guys, go race, go show us the things that have made Bristol and our sport famous, and that’s what makes the fans excited. I think they’re in for a real treat this weekend.”

You may contact Monte Dutton at mdutton@gastongazette.com.