Jimmie Johnson Wants to Defend Points Lead at Talladega

Jimmie Johnson

Team Lowe’s Racing No. 48, Jimmie Johnson says he feels very comfortable with the current points lead in the standings and looks to defend his margin at Talladega.

With the chance to win his fourth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup series title this year, Johnson revealed his main goal is to remain focused on the title fight and not risk it all in wildcard race of the playoff.

With four races to go, Jimmie Johnson heads into the race at Talladega with a 118-point lead over second place in the standings, Mark Martin. However, as reported by Autosport, Jimmie Johnson thinks he could do well even with a bad result.

"When I look at the points, we've never been in this strong of a position," Johnson said, via Autosport. "It does make me feel better about things, there still is just as much to lose but the deficit wouldn't be as bad if the worst situation happened for the #48."

"But I still look at it and know that anything can happen in those other three races, and I also know that I'm racing my team-mates. The #5 [Martin] won at Phoenix and Jeff [Gordon] won at Texas, so I look at the races following and I don't want to lose points.

I don't want to spot these guys any points. I don't want to have to chase them because there are great tracks coming up for the #5 and #24 as well. As soon as I find some comfort in the fact that we're 118 up right now, I think about the other three [races].

"I feel good about them, but I also know they're going to be good for my team-mates. I'd love to leave here with at least 118 [lead]. That would be the goal. I'd love to have more, clearly. Man, we could really put ourselves in a good situation if we left here without losing any points."