I think over team we've learned certain things do help the cars. One thing I'm looking at is if we are on a racetrack and we know the lead car has all the air and the advantage, what if we make a solid second lane that's just as fast, or a third lane and a fourth lane? I think we've all looked at Homestead and different tracks with progressive banking. Martinsville, the asphalt roughened up the inside lane. I thought they were smoothing it out; they roughened it up, gave us an option for a second lane. I think we need to look at the tracks as the next big thing in my opinion and (ask) how can we make two and three lanes on a racetrack.
I have to give a lot of credit to Bristol. They are looking at their situation and adjusting it. I think a lot of tracks are looking at that and from what I hear, the Vegas track is as well. I think the more lanes we can provide, the better the racing is going to be.
Q.
With that in mind, what are your thoughts on the renovations they are going to do to the racing surface here?
JIMMIE JOHNSON:
I just heard about it in passing today, so I don't really have all of the information.
THE MODERATOR:
The banking is going to go from 12 degrees to 20 degrees, and the pit road is going to be moved almost 200 feet out to the start finish line.
JIMMIE JOHNSON:
Pit road is tough to make under green flag conditions, so that will make it a little easier on the drivers and obviously moving pit road out would help the fans. I didn't know what to really think of progressive banking. I raced at south Boston on their little small track with progressive banking and really enjoyed it. I watched a lot of racing at the Tucson track in Arizona. They used to have Winter Heat racing. Now after racing on it myself in one of our cars, I definitely see the advantages of it, and it's definitely something that a lot of tracks should look at. I don't think it's a fix for every track;
Daytona, Talladega, there's no benefit to really having a progressive banking track. I think once you get to a certain amount of banking, you're in good shape.
Q.
Do you want to get off to a quick start this year?
JIMMIE JOHNSON:
Yeah, I think it's really important and that's been a luxury that we've had each year. We've been able to get off to a quick start and unfortunately right around the 23rd race in August sometime, we slowed down and we've been second a few times in the championship and then fifth last year. Looking back on it the last four seasons, I almost want to get off to a slow start personally I'm kind of lying when I say that. I would hope that I can peak in August and on, instead of at the start of the season.
