Road-course specialist Billy Johnson to sub in No. 43 at Sonoma

StandOnIt

StandOnIt

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This will be something to watch for sure

Last weekend, Johnson competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and he drives for Ford’s IMSA team. In addition, he’s trained more then 20 Ford drivers in the nuances of road racing. Sonoma will be his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start, although he’s had five starts in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, with a best of eighth at Montreal in 2012.
 
Looking forward to it. Talking ringers means talking road courses. That's never a bad thing.
 
Johnson Becomes the Winningest Driver in IMSA's CTSCC History
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The placement of Bubba and Billy in the #43 shows to me that RPM is still important to Ford's NASCAR program. Giving them a young, developing driver and a factory ace is a pretty big deal.

I am not expecting anything spectacular from Billy in his debut but I'm glad Ford gave him this opportunity after developing cars and coaching drivers for them for years, especially after effectively being banned from the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge. A Top 15 or so would be a great result.
 
I guess you mean his cup debut, he has driven for Roush in Xfinify for quite a while 2010-13, mostly road races, not Sonoma though. Amazing that they ban "platinum" drivers out of the Continental series..but full time cuppers? He needs a full time cup ride why he can race in the trucks Xfinity, even Arca. :D
 
Ever since Billy hit my radar about 5 or 6 years ago in Conti he has been
fast in everything he gets behind the wheel of. Good story to, college grad and half Japanese.
 
Billy Johnson to make NASCAR Cup debut in Petty's No. 43 at Sonoma


“I have run a lot of XFINITY races, but this will be my first Cup race. It is awesome that RPM and everyone at Ford Performance has the confidence in me to take on Sonoma. I have run pretty well in the XFINITY road course races I have done, so I hope that translates into a good showing this weekend."
The former Roush Racing driver has five starts in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series. His best finish of eighth came at Montreal where he was contending for the win but had to pit for fuel when the race went into a second overtime.


https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/nascar-billy-johnson-petty-sonoma-920498/
 
StandOnIt said:
This will be something to watch for sure

Last weekend, Johnson competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and he drives for Ford’s IMSA team. In addition, he’s trained more then 20 Ford drivers in the nuances of road racing. Sonoma will be his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start, although he’s had five starts in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, with a best of eighth at Montreal in 2012.
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does someone dare pick him for PJs game?
 
I wouldn't unless there were rain clouds on the horizon. Cup drivers these days are some of the best road racers in the world..but they are crap in the rain.
 
StandOnIt said:
Cup drivers these days are some of the best road racers in the world..but they are crap in the rain.
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Dag gone. How 'bout that?

Where'd the "Cup drivers these days" run in the rain last? Missed it. Maybe I can find a video somewhere.
 
StandOnIt said:
I think Said will finish higher and Jeffrey Earnhardt, and that Alon Day will do better than Grey Gaulding who was let go anyway.
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Yeah, depending on the team it can still be a significant upgrade. For a lot of the smaller teams in the field this is a chance to get their best result of the year. A lot of Xfinity and Truck teams get a boost out of it too.
 
The Nature Boy said:
I feel like running a road course ringer doesn't get you the same benefit that it did 10-15 years ago. I'm not sure if it's really a net benefit to teams at this point.
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Nope, it really doesnt.
 
In this case Bubba probably could have done just as well.
Bubba to the #10 car if he can find a sponsor.
OR
Ryan to the Penske #12
Bubba to the #21
 
A lot of drivers have to be thrilled he was out there today...
 
Just another wrecking ball aka ringer. Too bad because he started the race pretty decent but then turned into Cole Trickle.
 
RPM is already using relief drivers, hiring a ringer makes sense to me.
Hypothetically speaking : If Wallace gets a cup ride next year, I wouldn't pull him for a Sonoma ringer. But that kind of commitment doesn't apply in this case he is in essence is a relief driver himself.
 
Greg said:
RPM is already using relief drivers, hiring a ringer makes sense to me.
Hypothetically speaking : If Wallace gets a cup ride next year, I wouldn't pull him for a Sonoma ringer. But that kind of commitment doesn't apply in this case he is in essence is a relief driver himself.
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I think Ford wanted to put him in something because he isn't racing anything full-time this year. Made a mistake or two but finished about where Almirola has on road courses in the #43.
 
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