By: Mitchell Breuer

Entering the weekend, Jimmie Johnson needed solid runs at Dover International Speedway in order to help his playoff chances. While he may have had a fourth-place finish at the Daytona International Speedway road course, he still found himself at a 25-point disadvantage.

The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion delivered, scoring points in every single stage of the doubleheader weekend, and two top-10 results, which included a third-place Sunday.

“I mean, we definitely need it,” Johnson said in a post-race press conference. “Momentum really works for you in either direction, and to run good at Daytona, to run decent at Michigan, to take these two races this weekend, top 10 and a top 5, that’s all going the right way, and it helps me.  It helps every one of us on the team.”

Now exiting the weekend, Johnson sits only four points behind the playoff cutoffand believes his recent performances may lead to an even more confident No. 48 team.

“Who I think it helps the most is really Cliff (Daniels, crew chief) and my guys on this team that have been giving me everything they can week in and week out,” Johnson said. “I sense that they’re probably more concerned about me finishing strong than I am.  I mean, they really — we have a great relationship and a great bond, and they want to give me every chance to win going out.”

While he has momentum on his side there still stands a tall task in front of him in the Coke Zero 400. So, with this possibly being his last NASCAR race at Daytona International Speedway and, having playoff implications hanging at stake, does this make thisweekend’s race one of Johnson’s most important at the superspeedway and, in his career?

“Honestly, I haven’t thought about it in that respect,” Johnson said. “I’ve kind of felt like that race is going to be the pivotal race for us to make the playoffs or not, especially since I missed the Brickyard 400.  Maybe someday down the road I’ll look back and think of these last trips to tracks and moments, but I’m just wired a certain way, and I think all competitors are.  You keep looking forward and you don’t spend much time putting a lot of emotional value into things.”

That response begs another question – how is the veteran driver appearing to remain cool during what has been his craziest season? The answer is a simple Johnson has spent most of his career battling in high stakes situations.

“I’ve been doing this too long to worry too much,” Johnson said. “Championship pressure, thankfully I’ve been through that a bunch of different times.  Maybe that’s — I guess actually maybe that’s where experience will play through for me this weekend and I’ll be able to keep my head on straight, think, keep my emotions in check and really race with a clear and open mind.”

If the driver of the No. 48 hopes to make the playoffs, he will need a better outing than his effort in this year’s Daytona 500, where he crashed out and finished 35th.