Earlier this week on the NASCAR on NBC podcast, six-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson said the 2016 season has been the “toughest year” for Hendrick Motorsports during his 15 seasons on the circuit.
Johnson’s two wins early in the season at Atlanta and Auto Club Speedway are Hendrick’s only trips to victory lane so far. Two races ago at Watkins Glen International, Johnson finished last for the first time in his career.
The team’s struggles are happening during its first season without Jeff Gordon as a full-time driver since 1992 and amidst the uncertain status of Dale Earnhardt Jr., who will miss at least two more races and has missed the past five with a concussion.
NASCAR on NBC analysts Kyle Petty and Parker Kligerman give their thoughts on Johnson’s season so far and his comments about what he plans to do when he eventually steps away from racing full time in NASCAR.