Jimmie Johnson hopes to enjoy the spoils of victory as the fourth consecutive driver to win the Cup title in his fourth season. Credit: Autostock

Preview: Johnson

Goals have changed, but the ultimate prize remains Cup title

HARRISBURG, N.C. -- Despite having run just three full seasons of Cup Series competition, Jimmie Johnson has practically done it all: led the series in victories, swept the season at a track (well, four tracks, actually), won four consecutive races, led more than 500 miles in a single event, sat on the pole for the Daytona 500.

The list goes on and on.

	Jimmie Johnson won a Cup-best eight races in 2004. Credit: Autostock
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But there's still plenty left on the docket. He's not yet won a certain February race in Florida, nor dined at the head table at a certain Christmastime function in Manhattan.

Rest assured, the Daytona 500 and the Nextel Cup championship both rank high on Johnson's professional agenda. And for the record, the past three points champions -- Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth and Tony Stewart -- won the Cup in their fourth seasons.

"To be second two years in a row -- we really, really want a championship," Johnson said. "From growing up around the sport, watching it, and working in it -- it's not something you sign up for and get. We understand how hard that is."

It'll be harder this year than ever. Teams have learned how best to attack the Chase, and the racecars are completely different aerodynamically in 2005, so strategies will change.

"Last year was a very special year for us," Johnson said. "To win eight [races], overcome the tragedy of the airplane [crash], and win four [races] in the final 10 -- that's going to tough to beat. A championship will beat that.

Vickers and Johnson talk about testing and the Daytona 500 Sign up for TrackPass now BUY YOUR NEXTEL DRIVER PHONE

"We're always moving our goals. I'd love to win a plate race, especially the Daytona 500. I'd love to win at Bristol. Last year I said I want to win at Darlington and Martinsville. Those were my two tracks that were the most demanding on me and I struggled. We were able to win at both of them.

"So, I've now set some new goals with a plate race and Bristol. Hopefully we're able to do that. If this year is a championship year for us -- we feel like we're ready for it -- we'll definitely be smiling ear to ear in New York when it's all said and done.

"But that's so far from now and it's going to be an entirely new year with the rules changes and everything."

Teams tested the shorter spoiler/softer tire package last week at Las Vegas and California, and Johnson was dialed in at both venues, so he's quite confident this could be a special season. Johnson said the cars drive much differently than they did last year, with more movement and looser handling tendencies.

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"There is a lot of movement in the car, but I think with my background and driving style, it's not going to hurt me as much as some of the other guys," Johnson said.

"With the rules changes, it's going to really mix things up. The first six-to-eight races on the intermediate tracks, it's going to be hard to know who's going to be up front. There will be an opportunity to have multiple winners. Different winners."

Johnson and Kasey Kahne conducted a Goodyear tire test at Atlanta Motor Speedway prior to Preseason Thunder, so they have a few more laps of experience with the new package than do their competitors.

"It's a totally different animal," Johnson said. "It's going to be very interesting. A quarter of the way through the season, you'll start to see the usual suspects rise to the top. But in the beginning I think it's going to be a mixed bag. It's going to be a real interesting start to the season.

"It's going to be a very exciting year. We probably won't know who the champion will be until the final race, like last year."

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