Jimmie Johnson, an icon in the realm of motor racing, has left an indelible mark on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. His record-breaking performances and strategic racing prowess at this venue served as a testament to his unassailable skill and undying passion for the sport. “Driving will never be away from me – I can’t just give it up. It’s all I’ve ever done, and there’s something about being in that car,” Johnson had once stated. His love for racing shone through his remarkable success at Las Vegas, where he notched up four victories, including an unparalleled streak of three consecutive wins during the mid-2000s.
Johnson’s reign at Las Vegas Motor Speedway came at a time when Roush Racing had been the dominating force, having won five of the first seven NASCAR Cup races between 1998 and 2004. However, Johnson’s spectacular performances eclipsed Roush’s legacy, demonstrating his remarkable adaptability and talent. His victories in Las Vegas are part of his broader legacy as one of NASCAR’s greatest champions, with seven Cup Series titles to his name.
The story of Las Vegas Motor Speedway was rewritten by Johnson’s reign of dominance. He demonstrated that the road to victory was paved with calculated risks and an unyielding drive for success. Roush Racing’s stronghold was dismantled when Johnson, between 2005 and 2007, embarked on a remarkable winning spree. Johnson’s success culminated in his fourth career victory at Las Vegas by 2010, a feat that set him apart from all others. He owes much of his success to his tactical acumen and his ability to orchestrate perfect late-race charges, a skill that was honed under the watchful eye of his crew chief, Chad Knaus.
A highlight of Johnson’s dominance was his 49th career Cup win in 2010, which was a testament to his mastery of Las Vegas. Despite a less than stellar qualifying session that saw him start in 20th place, Johnson’s relentless pursuit of victory saw him work his way up the ranks. His teammate from Hendrick Motorsports, Jeff Gordon, had a seemingly unassailable lead, having set a track record by leading 222 laps. However, Johnson had his sights set on the ultimate prize.
In the closing laps, Johnson found himself hot on Gordon’s tail, applying constant pressure and waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. Johnson recalled, “I had been chasing him all day and wasn’t sure if I would get by him. But I just kept putting a lot of pressure on him, hoping I could make him make a mistake and hoping I could get him to overdrive his car and do something wrong. Finally, I was able to get to the side of him.”
The tides turned in Johnson’s favor when Gordon’s team opted for two fresh tires during their final pit stop, hoping that track position would keep him in front. Johnson and Knaus, however, took a gamble on four tires, a move that ultimately paid off and gave Johnson the edge he needed. Johnson’s fourth victory at Las Vegas not only solidified his dominance on the track but also saw him surpass Roush’s previous record.
As Johnson continued to lead laps and lift trophies, he chipped away at Roush’s erstwhile dominance. Kevin Harvick, who finished second behind Johnson at the time, acknowledged the shift in power, saying, “I felt like at the end of the run, we were just as good as they were. We can run with them, and they know it.” Johnson’s supremacy, however, had already been established. He had set a new record for the most victories on the 1.5-mile speedway with 15.
In the Next Gen era of NASCAR, winning multiple races consecutively seemed like an impossible feat until the arrival of Christopher Bell. Bell matched Kyle Larson’s record of three consecutive wins set back in 2021. Bell’s victories spanned a variety of racetrack styles, making his achievement all the more impressive. Now, he stands on the brink of creating another NASCAR record this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, potentially equaling Johnson’s record of four consecutive victories.
Bell’s ascendance has generated excitement and confidence within his team. Team owner Joe Gibbs expressed his faith in Bell and his team, saying, “I know they’ll be going there with excitement and thinking that they have a chance. Right now, they’re kind of in a rare field of people that have accomplished things. It’s out there for them, and we’ll see what happens.”
The new generation of NASCAR racing has brought about parity, making it challenging for drivers to find their rhythm and launch a title charge. However, Christopher Bell and the #20 JGR team seem to have found the winning formula. As the Oklahoma native sets his sights on this weekend’s race, fans and competitors alike will be watching closely to see if he can equal Johnson’s record.
