Notebook: Johnson's decorum dates to childhood

Notebook: Johnson's decorum dates to childhood

By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

DARLINGTON, S.C.—Jimmie Johnson's ability to manage his emotions has been a major factor in winning five straight Sprint Cup championships.
It's also a trait he's had since childhood, dating to his days as a dirt bike racer.
Johnson may not have been his unflappable self last Saturday at Richmond , where he had some harsh words for crew chief Chad Knaus when his car wouldn't handle in the early going. Nevertheless, the driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet recovered to finish eighth.

"When you act like a fool on the track, there has always been something when you come off the track that hits me, and I feel guilty about acting that way," Johnson said Friday at Darlington Raceway. "I can remember some instances early when I was a kid racing dirt bikes.
 "There's one kid that I was racing for the local track championship. He fell in the corner in front of me. I followed him into the berm and I went down. So now, as I'm going to pick up my bike, he's shoving me so I can't get to my bike, so he can get to his bike.
"We're like 11, 12 years old. We end up in this wrestling match out there. We both get on our bikes. I get up before him. I shove him down. Got off the track. When he got off the track, I launched my bike over towards the pit area and knocked him off his bike. At that moment, when I turned around and saw my parents—my dad's shocked face and my mom's shocked face that I acted that way—I think there's something from that moment that kind of stuck with me."
 

Fans can sign "Get well" card for Bayne

 Nationwide Insurance is giving fans an opportunity express their support for Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne, who was released from the Mayo Clinic on Thursday after extensive testing.

At the Nationwide booth at Darlington Raceway is a giant "Get well" card that fans could sign from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Once the oversized poster is filled with encouraging comments, Nationwide will provide rolls of paper for additional well-wishes.

Since early April, Bayne has been treated for nausea, swelling, numbness and impaired vision. The cause of his medical issues was thought to be an insect, tick or spider bite, but doctors at the Mayo Clinic have not announced a diagnosis.

Chris Buescher has taken Bayne's place in the No. 16 Roush Fenway Racing Ford for two Nationwide races—at Richmond last week and Friday at Darlington .

Team owner Jack Roush said Friday he hopes Bayne will be back in the car at Dover next weekend. Bayne's next scheduled start for the Wood Brothers in the Sprint Cup Series is the May 21 Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte , but no decision has been made about his return to competition.

Edwards' No. 2 child is a boy

 Though Carl Edwards kept it quiet until the weekend, the driver of the No. 99 Ford announced Friday that his wife, Kate Edwards, had given birth to their second child, Michael Lee Edwards, on Wednesday.

"It was amazing," Edwards said. "Kate is an amazing woman. We had a healthy young boy. He's doing great, so it's just a great week. … Annie (Edwards' 15-month-old daughter) is really excited about her little brother. I don't think she quite understands what's going on, but we're all doing really well, so it's good."