Jimmie Johnson inadvertently fuels Twitter feud over IndyCar Series
Six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson inadvertently set off a little bit of a Twitter war over the weekend when he chasisted the IndyCar racing series for, well, its lack of excitement.
Johnson made his comments on Twitter during Saturday night's IndyCar race at Phoenix International Raceway -- the first IndyCar race at PIR in 11 years.
Scott Dixon took the lead from Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Tony Kanaan with 155 laps left in the 250-lap event and never relinquished control, winning the IndyCar Phoenix Grand Prix.
Johnson took issue with the lack of passing during the event, praising NASCAR for going to its new low-downforce aerodynamic package in the process. That set off a chain reaction on Twitter during which the back-and-forth comments included the IndyCar Series defending itself, as well as comments from NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski and former IndyCar and NASCAR driver Dario Franchitti.
@JimmieJohnson @nascar Yea... we'll respectfully disagree: https://t.co/Q5AuuAz5QI
— IndyCar Series (@IndyCar) April 3, 2016
@JimmieJohnson I bet @RyanHunterReay will disagree
— Brendan Keeler (@BrendanKeeler88) April 3, 2016
@Ballard_Golfer @JimmieJohnson @NASCAR @IndyCar the IndyCar two seater goes faster than NASCAR. #taxicabs
— Mike Strack (@ptownmike312) April 3, 2016
@JimmieJohnson @NASCAR @IndyCar I haven't Seen a Pass Since the Green Flag! Zzzzzzzzzz
— Greg Ballard (@Ballard_Golfer) April 3, 2016
I like watching @IndyCar races
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) April 3, 2016
Hate watching aero dependent cars take away from great race car drivers ability to put on great races.
skill + bravery of @IndyCar drivers off the scale, series needs to look at downforce levels + how the car produces it though #needbigtunnels
— Dario Franchitti (@dariofranchitti) April 3, 2016
Johnson, however, had the final word when challenged by one fan.