Jimmie Johnson on Chase criticism: 'It's tough to make everybody happy'
Don't tell Jimmie Johnson that the first two races in this year's Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series haven't been dramatic.
While some fans have bemoaned the fact so far the Chase hasn't produced high drama -- no fights, no name-calling, no drivers wrecking each other, no physical confrontations in the motorhome lot -- Johnson said he's had plenty of intensity so far.
Citing his strong run at Chicagoland Speedway and the subsequent controversy over NASCAR's policy revisions around the laser inspection station, Johnson allowed as how he's had all the pressure he's needed in these two races.
"My Chicago was about as exciting as any Chicago I've ever had, personally" said Johnson, who added, "Last week was plenty tense for me."
And then I told him some fans have complained about a lack of drama so far and asked him if he thought the intensity would ramp up in Sunday's Citizen Soldier 400 at Dover International Speedway and subsequent Chase rounds.
"It's so hard to make everyone happy," said Johnson. "It actually frustrates me to hear that, that that might be the response. It's just tough to make everybody happy. I guess that's all I got."
And with that, Johnson's press conference ended.
For what it's worth, two drivers who came in before Johnson addressed the intensity issue.
"I don't think it has been ramped up quite to the point that it will be depending upon if you make further in," said Chase Elliott, Johnson's Hendrick Motorsports teammate. "I think the further you get into it the more it is going to ramp up, for sure."
"I feel like the Chase hasn't had the drama it normally does up to this point," said Jamie McMurray in talking about the Dover race on Sunday. "If you're a guy on the outside looking in, trying to advance to the next round, you're hoping it's a fairly dramatic race and something happens big with somebody up front that's going to shake it up a little."
