During a critical phase of the race, Jimmie Johnson experienced difficulties with his car being loose and eventually shuffled to the back of his draft. Despite initial confidence, as he was well ahead of JJ Yeley for the transfer position, Johnson's situation deteriorated, leading him to urgently request assistance from his team. Yeley, on the other hand, managed to climb up to 16th position and was just a little over seven tenths behind the lead, becoming a significant factor in the race. With only 12 laps to go, Johnson found himself in 17th place, expressing a desperate need for support to maintain his position, with a 10-second lead on Yeley who had fully lost the draft earlier. Dave Elenz and Earl Barban were mentioned in communications with Johnson. Yeley, having fully lost the draft earlier, was positioned 18th but later managed to overtake Johnson. This shift forced Johnson to appeal for "f**king help" from his team as he trailed Yeley for the final transfer spot with only four laps left.
"I need f***ing help!" Jimmie Johnson, who is trailing JJ Yeley for final transfer spot with four laps left.
Jimmie Johnson has fallen behind JJ Yeley, who also throws a block to keep him there. Johnson: "I need f**king help!"
"I need somebody behind me, badly," Jimmie Johnson tells team. Johnson is three spots ahead of JJ Yeley.
"I need somebody behind me. Badly!" -@JimmieJohnson who is worried about being at the back of the draft 17th, has a 10-second lead on Yeley, who has fully lost the draft. 12 laps to go. #NASCAR
Jimmie Johnson: "I need somebody behind me...badly!" Earl Barban: "That's all you've got there, man." 12 laps to go. Johnson P17, Yeley P18....
Jimmie Johnson has shuffled to the back of his draft. "Save all the fuel you can" Dave Elenz tells Johnson. "I need somebody behind me, badly" - JJ #NASCAR
Yeley is well behind the draft. Even though JJ has faded in the pack, he's still well in command to make the Daytona 500. 12 to go. #NASCAR | #BluegreenDuels
Yeley now up to 16th, and just a little over 7 tenths behind the lead. He is very much in this lead draft and a factor. #NASCAR
Jimmie Johnson says his car is loose. Team tells him to keep the car underneath him, with no need to push as Johnson is well ahead of JJ Yeley for the transfer position.