INDIANAPOLIS –  Since NASCAR adopted the playoff system in their premiere series in 2004, Jimmie Johnson is the only driver to make the postseason in each year. The seven-time champion though is on the verge of seeing that streak end on Sunday.

Johnson, heads to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway 18 points out of the final cutoff spot to make the playoffs. He needs stage points but likely needs a win too. The problem is, Johnson hasn’t won a race since June of 2017. He’s won at Indy four times but none since 2012. His playoff chances hinder on ending those droughts on Sunday afternoon.

The question is, will he win?

Johnson, has just one top 10 finish in his last five Brickyard tries. He’s had just two top 10 finishes in his last 12 starts on the season. His last seven results have been – 30th, 30th, 15th, 19th, 34th, 19th and 16th respectively.

Does that sound like a driver who can compete for a win this weekend?

If he wants to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time ever, then he better win. He looks so far like he could. Johnson, was ninth and 17th respectively in practice this weekend and quickest in final practice on the 10 lap average chart.

He said that his team has worked so hard to make this work that even on days that they’re not supposed to be in the shop that they’re in anyways.

Also, when Cliff Daniels became Johnson’s new crew chief, the cars for the next couple of races were already set up. He didn’t get a chance to really put his fingerprints on Johnson’s No. 48 Chevrolet until a few races ago. Johnson notes that something as small as that is noticeable.

All of this though would certainly be a “hell of a story” if Johnson can win. He’s riding an 84 race winless streak and if he can end that at Indy, a feat that if he does win would tie Jeff Gordon for most wins ever here, would be a storybook ending to the regular season.