Why Jimmie Johnson is downright dominant at Texas Motor Speedway

FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 08: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 8, 2015 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/NASCAR via Getty Images)

At Texas Motor Speedway, it's Jimmie Johnson against the world, a not uncommon state of affairs.

The six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion has been a force of nature at the ultra-fast 1.5-mile track, and remains the favorite to win Saturday night's Duck Commander 500 (FOX, 7:30 p.m. ET).

How good is Johnson at Texas?

Try downright dominant.

Johnson has won six races here, including the last three in a row and five of the last seven. All told, he's led more than 1,023 laps at Texas.

"We weren't necessarily the best car in all those races, but we were in the top three, top five; and I truly believe if you run there long enough, you'll have opportunities to win," said Johnson. "And we've been able to win on speed and then when being at the right place and being able to take advantage of things, too."

The competition is paying attention.

"The biggest thing I notice about Jimmie (Johnson) is he's pretty good everywhere," said Matt Kenseth of Joe Gibbs Racing, who finished second in the title hunt to Johnson in 2013. "He's not too much of a slouch anywhere that I can really think of. Nothing really stands out special to here, really to me."

During Thursday's lone round of practice, Johnson was just sixth, as Martin Truex Jr. was fastest in the Furniture Row Racing Toyota ahead of the Team Penske Fords of Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano.

Surely the Toyotas of Joe Gibbs Racing and Furniture Row will pose big challenges to Johnson, as will the Penske Fords and perhaps even Austin Dillon who is fast again this weekend.

With the race starting in daylight and moving into night, the racing surface will change markedly throughout 500 long miles.

More importantly, perhaps, it's a long race, and those are often where Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus shine.

"I think tracks with an older surface; the bumpier it is, the more tire wear, it's just a condition that plays into our wheelhouse," said Johnson. "And we've hit on some things here over the last few trips and it consistently works for us and it continues to put speed and longevity in the car."