Erik Jones and his team were in for a huge disappointment at Daytona Duel 2 following a controversial decision that went against them. Driving the Legacy Motor Club No. 43 Toyota, Jones had to settle for second place, with the officials naming Austin Cindric the race’s winner.
Gutted with the result, Jones did not know how to react when the cameras focused on him. In came Jimmie Johnson with a few words of consolation for his fellow driver. However, once the duo stepped away from the camera, Johnson let his true feelings known.
Jimmie Johnson Far From Happy With the Duel 2 Verdict
Meeting up with Jones on the pit road, Johnson told the driver he was “still a winner” to him, despite the decision going against him. The 28-year-old appreciated the gesture and thanked the NASCAR legend before the two broke off for a more “private” conversation.
Johnson immediately dropped his filter and told Jones he thought the decision was “bulls***.”
Engaging in a drag race in the final lap, Cindric and Jones were fighting for it all, as a push from Chris Buescher sent the Legacy Motor Club driver across the line first. However, NASCAR later intervened to overturn the result, claiming that the caution flag had come slightly before the finish.
At the time, the Team Penske driver was narrowly in the lead, which meant he was the race winner per the rulebooks.
Addressing the finish line controversy afterward, Jimmie Johnson further revealed he was “just disappointed” but had yet to see the video. Donning a calm demeanor, the seven-time Cup Series champion said that he knew the rule and if everything was the way NASCAR claimed, it was “no big deal.”
Commenting further, the 49-year-old said Jones had been in the sport long enough to deal with such setbacks. While Johnson “hated” the outcome for Jones’ team and sponsors, he thought it was a good prep for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 16.
