Photo – JoeGibbsRacing.com

Michael Johnson is certainly part of a winning team at Joe Gibbs Racing as an engine specialist for the #20 car of Matt Kenseth.  Although he works behind the scenes, Johnson is an integral part of a successful team this season.

Kenseth just won his fourth win of the season at Kentucky Speedway and now leads the Sprint Cup Series with the most wins for the top-spot seeding for the 2013 Chase.

With nine more races before the Chase begins, Michael Johnson and his team are at the top of their game with little time for rest between now and the last race of the season at Homestead-Miami in November.

Today – Monday, July 1st – Michael Johnson and his team are at Indianapolis Motor Speedway taking part in a test session in preparation for a Cup race at the track later this month.  What they learn during this test session is of utmost importance, not just because a win at the Brickyard is coveted by every driver in NASCAR, but because on their heels and looking for their next win and sixth championship is another ‘Johnson’ – Jimmie Johnson and his #48 team.

Will Jimmie Johnson and his team get their next win at Daytona this weekend, matching Kenseth’s fourth win of the season?  Will it take more than four wins to take the top spot when the Chase begins at Chicagoland in September?  Which team will bring home the Sprint Cup trophy in November 2013?

Time will tell the rest of this story, so tune-in every week of the Race to the Chase and beyond.

Michael Johnson is our next guest on Fan4Racing Fan2Fan NASCAR Talk, Monday, July 1st at 8:30pm ET.  Fans can call 347-996-5176 to take part in a Q&A segment with Michael during our LIVE broadcast.