NASCAR For Johnson, there's no place like Dover

Ryan Newman has also had success at the Delaware track.
DOVER, Del. (AP) -- Jimmie Johnson knows testing at tracks that do not have Nextel Cup races can be very helpful.
With virtually all teams allotted only nine tests each year on Nextel Cup tracks, outside venues get plenty of use. But Johnson insists there is no way to simulate Dover International Speedway.
"Dover is so unique," he said of the layout they call The Monster Mile. "There isn't another track on the circuit that is remotely close to what you have at Dover.
"A lot of people go to Kentucky and these other tracks, but you can't take anything from there and apply it to Dover."
The would seem to give Johnson an edge over most of the field Sunday in the MBNA America 400. He won twice on the high-banked concrete oval in 2002, and hopes to ride the momentum of a pole-race sweep last weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway to his third victory of the year and the series points lead.
Opinion
Although Dover qualifies as the world's fastest mile oval, speed is not the most important factor, Johnson insists.
"When you find the right setup with the race car and the driver has the right rhythm for it ... you can fine tune and hone in on it," he said.
Johnson's biggest obstacle could be Ryan Newman, who is winless this season but beat Dover twice last year. That's particularly impressive because he overcame adversity both times.
"The bottom line is we've proven we can get around the racetrack and we can win here," Newman said. "Now, the determining factor is we've got to go back and repeat."
Last June, Newman was forced to muscle his 3,400-pound Dodge around the narrow track without power steering for half the 400-mile race.
In the fall race, Newman lost two laps because of a flat tire. He got one back because of NASCAR's then-brand-new rule awarding a lap to the highest-scored car off the lead lap at each caution period, and returned to contention by staying on the track when a subsequent yellow flag came out.
Two caution periods that slowed the field for 12 laps also enabled him to save gas and go the final 106 without a stop.
"It takes a little bit of everything and not just good but great situations, whether it's pit stops that are strategies or whatever else to get that win," Newman said.
Put to good use
The speed that has led to an astounding 21 poles and nine victories in less than three full seasons on the circuit is put to good use here.
"Cars are able to pass instead of beating on each other," Newman said. "That is a good recipe for good racing."
Johnson could easily take the points lead with a victory or a competitive run. He comes in just five points behind leader Dale Earnhardt Jr. Newman is 298 back after 12 of 36 races.
Despite their recent domination of the track, Newman and Johnson are by no means staging a match race. Sweeps at Dover also have been accomplished in the last decade by Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Rusty Wallace, who set the track qualifying record of 159.954 mph in 1999.
Earnhardt, with a series-leading three victories this season, also has won at Dover. But there are several drivers who have had considerably more success on the track.
Gordon has four wins, and Wallace and Mark Martin have three apiece. Although he's far down in points, Ricky Rudd also is a four-time Dover winner.