Johnson qualifies 22nd for Sunday's race
Jerick Johnson attends to some last-minute pre-qualification adjustments to the 76 Freedom Car. Photo by James V. Carroll

Johnson qualifies 22nd for Sunday's race

Driver Jerick Johnson drove The American Legion/David law Firm 76 Freedom Car to the outside of row 11 during qualification runs Saturday at Lucas Oil Raceway near Indianapolis.

Johnson is competing Sunday in the Champion Racing Association's Super Series Late Model division as part of CRA's Fall Brawl featuring nearly 140 cars in five racing divisions. Racec begin at 1 p.m. Sunday. Johnson and the rest of the Super Series Late Model drivers are scheduled to compete in the fifth race of the day, a 100-lap feature around the .686-mile asphalt oval.

"We are a little disappointed in the ‘Dark Knight' today (the team's nickname for the black 76 Freedom Car.)," Johnson said after qualifying 22nd in a 37-car field. "We got off to a slow start in the first practice session - completing only three laps. But we ran 19th fastest in the second session."

Disappointment aside, Johnson is expecting a better finish than his Lucas Oil Raceway appearance in June. A mechanical problem sidelined the 76 Freedom Car early in the race.

"In spite of our 22nd spot on the grid, we feel like we have a top-10 car," Johnson said. "Be smart, race smart and we should be in the hunt at the end."

Johnson brings to Indianapolis and the CRAs event a record of six wins, 14 top-10 finishes, and five DNFs in 19 starts this season.