Published 01/12/2023, 6:00 AM EST
Jimmie Johnson hit the NASCAR world as an unstoppable force. Paired with his Crew Chief, Chad Knaus, they overtook the entire cup series field, winning seven Cup Series Championships. And of course, he ruined a lot of drivers’ chances of winning.
One of those was Matt Kenseth, who subtly confessed his resentment for Johnson.
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Matt Kenseth won his Cup Series Championship in 2003, and everyone expected him to be a special driver. In fact, ever since he won the Rookie of the Year in 2000, fans expected a brilliant performance from him as a driver, and he reassured everyone in 2003. But with Johnson’s entry into the Cup Series in 2004 and a wonderful season in 2005, fans turned their eyes to the new kid from El Cajon.’
When he got his first Cup Series Championship in 2006, everyone knew he was an unstoppable force. And someone as dominating as him did not thrill a lot of drivers. And the 2003 champ was no different. In fact, he even told the Racer, “It sucked racing against him, because I got beat so much, I think of a lot of different times and races where I thought I was going to come out on top and didn’t”
He even thinks he could have won more had it not been for Johnson.
“To be the best, you have to beat the best, so you always wanted to beat him,” says Kenseth. “If you don’t have him, there is always going to be somebody else, but certainly, I look back and (think) I’d arguably have another championship, maybe two, without him around. And maybe some more wins.”
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But of course, it wasn’t all bad.
Matt Kenseth enjoyed racing against Jimmie Johnson in NASCAR
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He might have won more races had JJ never entered the Cup Series. But no one can deny that it made him a good driver. Even Kenseth admitted, “He certainly made everybody better. I did enjoy racing with him.”
RICHMOND, VA – SEPTEMBER 12: Matt Kenseth, driver of the #20 Dollar General Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Jonathan Moore/NASCAR via Getty Images)
He further added, “More than anything, I did enjoy getting to know him as a man and during the last four or five years of our careers on the road, cycling together and talking about life and becoming better friends. That’s for sure my favorite part, but it was great racing with him.”
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So, do you feel Kenseth could have won more championships had he not had to race against Jimmie Johnson? Let us know in the comments.