Published 11/21/2022, 6:45 AM EST
Most drivers in NASCAR end up driving for decades and decades, unable to find that Cup Series Championship to take home. The biggest names have missed out on it. However, Jimmie Johnson won seven of those which earned him the right to be mentioned in the same breath as Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty. Johnson thus is a certified legend.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
NASCAR used to run in cycles of domination; these cycles were multiple years of domination by a single driver taking the Cup Series home. But this phenomenon was not a result of the competition or the quality of other drivers being poor. It was purely down to the legends’ quality.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
Richard Petty won seven Cup Series, the first in 1964 and the last in 1979. He then passed the baton to Dale Earnhardt who dominated for years, winning seven too – his first in 1980 and last in 1994.
From Dale Sr., it went to Jeff Gordon, who won 4 between 1994 and 2001. However, since the turn of the century, there has been no other driver than Jimmie Johnson, who has dominated proceedings with the same authority and elegance as Dale Sr, Petty, and Gordon.
The legendary career of Johnson
Johnson won his first Cup Series in 2006 and that set him on a record-breaking, unprecedented run. From 2006 to 2010, he won 5 consecutive Cup Series. Johnson set a record with that run, breaking Cale Yarborough’s record of 3 consecutive Championships.
He then completed his set of seven with wins in 2013 and 2016. While his earlier performances were in a league above others, if there were any doubts about his legendary status, his win in 2016 put them to rest.
LONG POND, PA – AUGUST 03: (L-R) Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet and Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet, stand in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway on August 3, 2007 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Jimmie Johnson fans recall that magical night in Homestead
6 years since the night Jimmie made history at Homestead, fans have not forgotten one bit. They remember it like it happened yesterday. Here are a few of the tributes to that night:
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
It has been a long time since that Cup Series sealing win, on November 21, and while Jimmie no longer races, he recently joined Petty GMS as a part-time owner and driver. A return might be on the horizon.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
Watch This Story: Joe Gibbs Branded a “Liar” for Perceived Insincere Statement on Kyle Busch’s Bitter NASCAR Exit
Jimmie was of a different ilk and the #48 was a modern-day beast. Arguably, no other driver might be able to surpass his records, but definitely, there will not be another Jimmie Johnson.