Jimmie Johnson rips NASCAR rescinding Erik Jones' Daytona Duel win after review: 'That's bulls**t'

Due to a late caution on the final lap, Erik Jones went from winner to runner-up in Race 2 of the Daytona Duels, and Jimmie Johnson hated it. Legacy Motor Club was looking for a win, any win, to show their improvement in the NASCAR Cup Series.

You have to feel for Erik Jones and Jimmie Johnson. Winning a Duel race won’t save your season or win you a championship. But it can give you and your entire organization confidence that you can compete at a high level.

After the decision was made, Jones was dejected. He spoke to Cole Cusumano of Speed Freaks about the result.

“Yeah, I mean that’s the rules and that’s their [NASCAR’s] call,” Jones said. “So, it’s part of it. But yeah, I’ve never been in that spot, so it’s a bummer. Would have loved to start out with a win.”

That’s when Jimmie Johnson came up and chimed in.

“You’re still a winner to me.”

Finally, he gave his real feelings. Seven-time is not a fan of what NASCAR did.

“That’s bullshit,” Johnson assured his driver. I like that out of the Legacy team owner, to be honest. Defend your driver.

It really is a shame that the race came down to that awkward moment. Then again, if you’re Erik Jones, why would you go to the frontstretch without official word from NASCAR?

To his credit, even Cindric thought Jones had won. The Team Penske driver didn’t even know the race actually ended under caution as the two leaders sprinted for the line as the field wrecked behind them.

A close call in the second Daytona Duel race. You have to feel for Jimmie Johnson, Erik Jones, and that entire Legacy organization.

Jimmie Johnson’s team misses out on win

The caution came out just before the finish line creating a photo finish between Austin Cindric and Erik Jones with Cindric on top. Since Wednesday night, Cindric has earned a front row starting spot in the NASCAR Daytona 500 and he has a Duel win to go with it.

For those wondering, Corey LaJoie is advancing to the Daytona 500. He was the top open driver in the second Duel race. With a few laps to go, he was in position to even win the race.

Austin Cindric has had a great two days in Daytona so far. He will hope to keep it going and win his second career Daytona 500. A last-lap wreck down the frontstretch brought the caution out at the last second.

Eventually, it was clear who had won. Cindric had just a few inches on Jones at the time of caution. It was a long walk from pit road to the finish line for Cindric and vice versa for Jones.