Defending Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson had an extra week to celebrate his first win of the season. He used the time to rest and get ready for this Sunday's Aaron's 499 at the Talladega Superspeedway.

Johnson talked about the slow start at Hendrick Motorsports and what's ahead for the team as it prepares for another Chase for the Championship during a recent conference call. Here are excerpts of that interview:

Question: What did you do during the break last weekend?

Johnson: We kind of feel like we should be testing again to be honest with you. We are getting closer, we are winning races, but we still need to make up a little ground. I think the whole team is going to take a little off time and then we have some more testing in store for us as the next couple of weeks come in to play. I am just going to catch up. I am in Charlotte now enjoying catching up from the long start to the season it has been.

Question: What kind of businessman is your teammate, Dale Earnhardt Jr.?

Johnson: I really haven't talked business with him and what his mindset is. Watching from afar, I think he is diversifying his opportunities. He is really expanding in to different areas and doesn't have all his eggs in one basket. I think that is smart, I don't know the intimate details, of the business deals, and how that all is structured. He has a great following and he is smart in picking things in different areas to expand business in to. Certainly I wish him all the best and hope it all works out.

Question: Are there business interests that you like?

Johnson: I really like dirt. Land, especially in today's world and market, I think the smartest thing, if you can buy the dirt and build buildings and stuff on top of it from there. It makes sense to come in and offer retail space. To have a bar or restaurant like Junior is doing, it just seems like it takes a lot of maintenance and a lot of time to stay on top of that stuff. I have taken a lot of advice from Mr. Hendrick over the years and one of his sayings is that "God quit making dirt a long time ago." So that is where I focus.

Question: Is the relationship between a driver and crew chief as much about psychology as mechanics?

Johnson: There is a relationship. It is a team sport and when you don't have data and you don't have modern tools to understand to what the car is doing, it boils down to the driver and the crew chief. To understand each other on many levels is important. When you see crew chiefs and drivers that have been together for a long time, you can see some really cool take things take place. The belief and trust and things, even when a guy is probably lying to you, he is still believes him because that relationship is so strong.

Question: Did the win at Phoenix give your team a much-needed boost?

Johnson: I think our second place finish in Texas did as much for us mentally and emotionally as the victory did in Phoenix. I felt like we were going to be on par with our short track stuff and Martinsville showed that. The win certainly was great medicine for the team. We have been worried about our intermediate track stuff and having a successful race in Texas and be competitive validated all the testing that we did and gave us a shot in the arm. Really the last two races has done a lot for the (No.) 48 team and a lot for all of Hendrick Motorsports. We have a lot of testing ahead of us and we are playing a little bit of catch up on the mile and a half tracks, but I think our short track stuff, our road course stuff and speedway stuff is going to be just where we need it and we are going to be as everyone would expect on those tracks.

Question: Have the set-ups changed dramatically for Talladega in the last seven years, especially when you get the car ready for the final 10 laps?

Johnson: Yeah, I think so. I think that the Car of Tomorrow and the new pavement that we have down give more opportunities to different cars and drivers in the closing laps. The track is racier now because of the whole package. With the Car of Tomorrow, there is enough room now where it's not like Daytona where you need to handle as much. So with the big hole that this car punches in the air, you can take advantage of that.

-- Compiled by Don Coble