NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson calls qualifying for IndyCar Iowa races a 'crazy experience' and 'best cup of coffee you could ever have'
- NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson got his first tast of driving an IndyCar at Iowa Speedway.
- Johnson called the trips around the small oval a "crazy experience" and "best cup of coffee."
Jimmie Johnson got his first taste of qualifying an IndyCar on a short oval, and it was nothing like he was used to from his NASCAR days.
Johnson will start 15th in the first race on Saturday and 13th in Sunday's race with qualifying speeds over 175 mph.
Immediately after his morning qualifying run, Johnson could be heard saying on the team radio, "Wow, that's the best cup of coffee you could ever have."
Later, he was asked about the comment and what it was like to qualify at the seven-eighths-mile long Iowa Speedway.
"What a rush," Johnson told NBC Sports. "To go that fast around a little oval like this — I have plenty of experience on ovals — it's just such a crazy experience."
The NASCAR track most similar to Iowa Speedway is probably Richmond Raceway, which is a 0.75-mile oval. The last time Johnson qualified at Richmond, he averaged about 120 mph.
Earlier this year, Johnson reached much faster speeds during qualifying for the Indianapolis 500, exceeding 235 mph. However, while qualifying for the Indy 500 is still scary — Just ask former F1 driver Romain Grosjean about his first experience — that track is nearly three times as long at 2.5 miles and has long straightaways. Iowa Speedway is short enough that it is closer to a circle than Indy, which is more like a long, rounded rectangle.
The 7-time NASCAR champion is in his second season racing in IndyCar. However, he did not race on ovals in 2021, saying his wife would never approve of the ludicrous speeds IndyCars reach on ovals, especially Indianapolis.
However, that stance softened midway through his rookie season, and earlier this year, he placed sixth at the Texas Motor Speedway oval, his best finish in IndyCar. Before the Indianapolis 500, Johnson said he already feels most comfortable on the ovals.
"I do [feel like an IndyCar driver now], but I'll put an asterisk on it and just say on ovals," Johnson said. "I've still got a long ways to go on road and street."