BUSCH: Pikes Peak Jimmie Johnson notes

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Jimmie Johnson and the ALLTEL Racing team finished 18th in the NAPA Auto Care 250 at Pikes Peak International Raceway.

Johnson started the event in 24th, and struggled with a tightly handling racecar for most of the race.

On lap 72, Johnson brought the ALLTEL Chevrolet to pit road. The crew team made changes after Johnson mentioned a slight vibration in the right front. Johnson lost a lap on the pit stop due to pitting out of sequence with the leaders.

After the leaders came in for green-flag pit stops, Johnson moved to 10th and was once again on the lead lap.

Johnson continued to battle a tight racecar and came in to pit a second time on lap 163. The crew made more adjustments to the car and Johnson returned to the track, two laps down. He was again forced to work his way to the front after pitting out of sequence.

On lap 195, Johnson passed leader Jeff Green, gaining back one lap.

The first caution of the day came at lap 200, when cars spun in turn one. Johnson pitted for the third time, taking on four tires. The fresh tires helped Johnson maintain track position until the end of the race.

On lap 248, Johnson was racing Kevin Grubb into turn one, when he got loose, and slid through the turn sideways.

"It was like dirt racing all the way," Johnson said. "We barely touched and I was sideways."

Johnson finished the race in 18th, one lap down to the leaders.

"I really felt like we had a top-15 car," Johnson said. "I lost a lot of positions because the car wouldn't race in traffic."