UPDATED (Lap 140): Johnson is back on the racetrack after repairs have been made (team members told NBCSN’s Mike Massaro that the issue was a broken rear axle seal -- the entire rear-end assembly had to be replaced). He’s 36 laps behind the leader and remains scored 43rd in the race. He is currently seven points below the cutoff to advance to the second round of the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Jimmie Johnson’s hopes of a seventh Sprint Cup championship are in serious jeopardy during Sunday’s AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway.
A 10-time winner at Dover, Johnson came to pit road on Lap 104 of the scheduled 400-lap event after experiencing apparent mechanical issues.
After his team did a cursory inspection, he took his No. 48 Chevrolet to the garage.
If Johnson, who is being scored last in the race, does not get back on track soon, his 2015 Chase hopes could be over.
As of Lap 125, Johnson is listed as 13th in the Chase standings. Only the top 12 drivers will advance to the second round of the Chase after today’s race.
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