Jimmie Johnson: Subway 400 preview

Jimmie Johnson entered the 2003 fall race at Rockingham on a hot streak, having posted four consecutive top-three finishes. When the green flag dropped on the 400-mile event, Johnson began his steady charge from the 18th starting position to the front of the field. Being cautious, Johnson utilized solid pit stops and a steady pace to crack the top-10 by lap 40 and eventually climb into the top-five by lap 130, where he would stay for the remainder of the 393-lap race. Johnson, who climbed to a season-high second place in the point standings that afternoon, led a total of 78 laps in the event.

HOW DOES THE NEW TIRE COMPOUND CHANGE THE WAY YOU LOOK AT ROCKINGHAM?

"It's going to change the balance of the car. There's no question about that. Our set-ups aren't going to directly cross over to last year's set-ups. So there's going to be some work to be done when we all show up and we're all going to be scrambling – especially at these first four or five intermediate track races – trying to understand the differences from our set-ups in 2003. It's still the same track. They haven't repaved it. So the characteristics will still be the same, but there will be a different balance with the car. We'll find out shortly."

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT TIRE WEAR?

"No, I'm not really worried. Partly because I don't now what tracks they've changed the compounds for. We run on numerous compounds and constructions on all the tracks. And I'm not so sure they've changed the tire for that track (Rockingham). I know that the spoiler will be different. But I think the softer tires are really on the mile and a half tracks and some of the other tracks. I don't know if they've changed it for Rockingham."

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT ROCKINGHAM?

"Rockingham has been another track that it's taken me a while to get used to and get things sorted out. It's been a lot of learning for me through years of Busch racing and years of Cup. Last year in the fall race, I finished second and was one of the leaders all day long and ran up front. So I'm very excited about going back and going back and I hope I'll be able to get our first win of the season there."