Indy still gives Johnson cause for concern

As a member of an elite group of NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers who have won at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Jimmie Johnson -- one could reasonably assume -- might be brimming with confidence entering Sunday's Allstate 400 at the 2.5-mile track.


Think again.

Though Johnson won at Indy on the way to his first Cup title in 2006, the Hendrick Motorsports driver believes his overall record at the track is a more accurate reflection of his Indy resume.

In six starts at the famed oval, Johnson has just two top-10 finishes. Meanwhile, he's placed 36th or worse three times.

The two-time defending Cup champion has an average starting and finishing position of 20.2 and 23.5, respectively, at the Brickyard.

"We've struggled at Indy for some reason - it's definitely on our list of tougher tracks," said Johnson, who has led just 33 laps in his six Indy starts. "We were able to get a win there a couple years ago so we know we're a team capable of winning there. We just have to have all the pieces fall into place for us."

Last season, Johnson's bid for a second-straight Allstate 400 win ended when he was collected in an eight-car accident on lap 45 and then cut a tire and hit the wall 16 laps later. He finished 39th.

"It seems like it hasn't been bad performances that have kept us from good finishes," Johnson said. "We just tend to get caught up in a wreck or have some bad luck in the pits."

Johnson hopes to change that this weekend.

"A solid finish is definitely within reach if we can just stay out of trouble," he said.