Published 02/08/2023, 10:00 AM EST
Throughout the history of NASCAR, there are a few drivers that become iconic figures within the sport. This is not just for the fans, but at times for other drivers as well. Names like Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr. may remain on people’s lips for generations to come. Just like that, recently, the Hendrick Motorsports duo of Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott were asked who they consider the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) of NASCAR. However, it was not Earnhardt that came to their mind.
Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott reveal their GOAT
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Larson mentioned, “I don’t know. I think my GOAT would be Jimmie (Johnson). I guess the way I look at it. In the end, I am probably biased, because I got to compete with him. But just the competition of quality and car. This in his era, in my opinion much more difficult so. That’s why he would be my GOAT and he won five in a row that’s crazy.”
After Larson finished, Elliott said, “Yeah, I would agree. I was going to mention the five in a row… Seven gets talked about a lot. But that five-in-a-row thing doesn’t get talked about enough, in my opinion. I know the format was different but makes it a little more possible to do. But still, that’s a tall order, that’s pretty impressive.”
What made Jimmie Johnson one of a kind?
Jimmie Johnson is a name that stirs the hearts of NASCAR fans. He is a true legend in the sport and stands tall among the greatest drivers ever to grace the track. With 7 Cup Series championships to his name, he ties the record held by the iconic Dale Earnhardt Sr and Richard Petty.
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NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Test Session Jan 24, 2023, Avondale, AZ, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson prepares to climb into his Legacy Motor Club car during testing at Phoenix Raceway. Phoenix Raceway AZ USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMarkxJ.xRebilasx 20230124_mjr_su5_002
His 83 Cup Series wins are a testament to his unrelenting drive and determination, cementing his place in the annals of NASCAR history. But it’s not just his impressive stats that have earned Johnson a place among the all-time greats.
It’s his unwavering consistency and his fierce competitiveness that has set him apart and earned him the respect of his peers. Johnson’s domination of the Cup Series began with his first championship in 2006 and continued right through to his final full-time season in 2020. He made the playoffs every single year since the inception of the format. Proving that he is not just a champion, but a champion who knows how to stay on top.
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Moreover, with the return of Johnson in the Cup Series, albeit in a part-time capacity, it certainly is a spectacle for many drivers to get the opportunity to drive next to one of the sport’s greatest.