Who to counter Jimmie Johnson?

At the end of the Bank America 500 held at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the gaps widened in the Chase race. 156 points behind his teammate Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon is in fourth position. The Chevrolet driver has achieved 11 top five finishes this season, but he has yet to score a single victory. Nevertheless, the Martinsville oval is successful for him since he has already crossed the line seven times as a winner out of the 23 victories he has in his career. He will therefore be one to watch closely this weekend.

Kevin Harvick may have fewer wins than Jeff Gordon (14 first places), but he seems to be on a much better pace this season as he has three first places and 13 top fives. At 77 points behind the leader, anything is still possible for the Richard Childress Racing driver. But the Martinsville oval does not seem to suit him since he has never managed to get into the top five.

Denny Hamlin est le plus proche adversaire de Jimmie Johnson. Au volant de sa Toyota Camry n°11, le pilote de la Joe Gibbs Racing s?est imposé six fois cette saison (sur les 14 victoires de sa carrière) et a réalisé 12 top cinq. Il doit apprécier davantage l?ovale de Virginie que Kevin Harvick, puisqu?il y a déjà signé trois victoires, dont deux victoires dans les quatre dernières courses disputées sur ce circuit, les deux autres ayant été remportées par Jimmie Johnson.

Just like his opponent from Joe Gibbs Racing, Jimmie Johnson has entered the top ten four times in the last four races held on the Martinsville oval. The Hendrick Motorsports star will be looking to collect a seventh victory on this circuit, but his first objective will be above all to extend his lead in the Chase. He is only 41 points ahead of Denny Hamlin, which prevents him from making the slightest misstep.