Jimmie Johnson’s ‘Disappointed Dad Move’ Further Embarrasses Under Performing Driver After Kansas Mishap

What happens when you really want to get a grasp of something but fail continuously? You get frustrated. The same is happening with seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson. His pursuit of making a mark, even with the Next Gen car, is getting hampered by something or the other. In this past week’s race at Kansas, despite a shaky start, he was getting along quite well. However, a questionable move from a fellow driver not only spun him out but also frustrated him enough to burst out a “disappointed dad” move.

The driver who ruined another one of Johnson’s promising outings was none other than Spire Motorsports‘ star driver, Corey LaJoie. However, it is not that straightforward, as fans are still debating about who was in the wrong in the interaction.

Many fans believe that it is Johnson himself responsible for his own crash because he slowed down while edging past the corner. But let’s listen to what the #7 Chevrolet driver has to say about the Kansas incident.

Jimmie Johnson gave Corey LaJoie ‘the look’ after the spin

The collision between LaJoie and Johnson brought out a caution with the latter fetching a DNF. What’s funny is that LaJoie didn’t know who he wrecked in the race, due to all the smoke. He realized it later when he saw Johnson standing by the ambulance, waiting for his car, giving him a disappointed look.

In the latest edition of his Stacking Pennies podcast, LaJoie said that Johnson would be the last guy he would want to spin. “I felt bad. I haven’t talked to him yet. He wasn’t even mad. He was just disappointed. I’m driving by and I’m like, I saw the car first. I’m like, oh, s**t, that looks like it hurt. And then I saw Jimmie standing behind the ambulance just like giving me like, a disappointed dad look. And I’m like, oh no, Jimmie.”

According to LaJoie, he reviewed the incident multiple times. There was a puff of smoke, and another car [Johnson’s #84] turned to the right. LaJoie likened the scenario to being on a highway, where he would have received a ticket for rear-ending someone. However, during a restart, maintaining momentum is crucial, and any throttle adjustments or lifting can be challenging in the midst of other cars.

Not performing up to his standards so far this season, LaJoie’s intention was to navigate through the surrounding cars. But the collision occurred due to Johnson lifting slightly earlier than LaJoie anticipated.

Why did the 7X champion slow down at the corner?

Legacy MC co-owner Jimmie Johnson opened up after the race stating the reason for his slowing down at the corner. It turns out that he did that purposely to get clean air for his turn. We cannot really blame him as the corner was congested.

“To make the turn. I was just slowing to make the turn. There’s traffic in front of me, so I’m trying to set up my line. So that I’m in clean air and not just driving the tire tracks with the car in front of me. And I was just setting up for the corner,” said Johnson, in a post-race interview. 

Johnson being the gentleman he is, did not resort to pointing fingers. He understands that it was not on purpose. “I know Corey, and I know a lot of these guys out there. They’re not just going to dump you going on the turn. A little bit more awareness in that situation would have been good.” 

Jimmie Johnson would be coming back to Kansas in the later part of the season. Hope things turn out better for him then. Currently, his entire focus must be on the Charlotte Motor Speedway, where he would be appearing next.

Will Johnson be back in Victory Lane anytime soon? People are waiting for the 7X winner to clinch at least one victory before he retires from driving. Let’s see how well he adjusts himself to the Next Gen models with the little amount of time he has for Charlotte.