Jimmie Johnson

Jimmie Johnson
Born	(1975-09-17) September 17, 1975 El Cajon, California, U.S.
Occupation	Professional auto racing driver
Years active	1980–present
Known for	Seven NASCAR Cup Series championships, including five consecutive titles

Jimmie Kenneth Johnson (born September 17, 1975) is an American professional auto racing competitor who currently participates part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, piloting the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE for Legacy Motor Club. Johnson has claimed seven Cup titles, including an unprecedented streak of five consecutive championships, tying the record held by Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. He is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished drivers in NASCAR history.

Hailing from El Cajon, California, Johnson began his racing journey on motorcycles at the age of four. After completing his education at Granite Hills High School, he competed in off-road racing circuits such as the Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group (MTEG), Short-course Off-road Drivers Association (SODA), and SCORE International, earning rookie of the year distinctions in each series. In 1998, Johnson and his team, Herzog Motorsports, made the transition to stock car racing by entering the national American Speed Association (ASA) late model touring car series, where he once again secured rookie of the year honors. By 2000, he had progressed to the NASCAR Busch Series (currently known as the Xfinity Series).

Johnson’s abilities caught the attention of Hendrick Motorsports driver Jeff Gordon, who convinced owner Rick Hendrick to sign Johnson full-time for the Winston Cup Series in 2002, with Gordon acting as a part-owner of his vehicle. Johnson finished fifth in points during his rookie full-time season, improved to second place in both 2003 and 2004, and placed fifth again in 2005. He captured his inaugural Cup championship in 2006 and went on to dominate by winning five straight titles through 2010, becoming the sole NASCAR driver to achieve five consecutive championships. After placing sixth in 2011 and third in 2012, he earned his sixth title in 2013 and his seventh in 2016, matching the all-time record for Cup Series championships.

In addition to his championships, Johnson won the renowned Daytona 500 twice (in 2006 and 2013). Over his career from 2002 to 2017, he accumulated seven championships, 83 victories, 222 top-five finishes, 341 top-ten results, and secured pole position 35 times. Between 2021 and 2022, Johnson competed in the IndyCar Series with Chip Ganassi Racing and has also taken part sporadically in sports car racing throughout his career.

Off-road racing

Johnson’s racing career commenced in motorcycle competition in 1980 when he was just four years old; three years later he won a championship in the 60cc class despite suffering a knee injury. He then moved into the Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group (MTEG) Stadium Racing Series where he earned multiple accolades. In 1993, Johnson declined an offer from Herb Fishel to drive professionally and instead continued competing with buggies and trucks across off-road stadium and desert events while working as a reporter for ESPN covering the Short-course Off-road Drivers Association (SODA). By 1996, he was racing for Herzog Motorsports within the off-road truck division.

The following year, Johnson advanced into SODA’s Class 8 category—the two-wheel-drive short-course off-road racing division featuring Trophy Trucks producing approximately 800 horsepower. He competed against prominent drivers like Scott Taylor and Brendan Gaughan, securing multiple victories including both races during Lake Geneva Raceway’s inaugural weekend as well as a win at Antigo’s Langlade County Fairgrounds. Despite consistent strong finishes, Johnson concluded the season third overall behind Taylor and Gaughan.

Within SCORE events, Johnson also achieved several wins and noteworthy placements. During the 1995 Baja 1000, after leading for over 900 miles, he fell asleep while driving which caused him to veer off course and crash his Trophy Truck named Butch—the design of which inspired a retro paint scheme on his No. 48 car for the 2019 Southern 500 throwback event. This particular truck had previously been driven by Larry Ragland during victories such as the 1991 Baja 1000.

Throughout his participation in SODA, SCORE, and MTEG competitions, Johnson collected more than 25 wins alongside over one hundred podium finishes, six championship titles, and rookie of the year awards across all three series.

ASA and Busch Series

Johnson ventured into asphalt oval racing in 1997, participating in three events within the American Speed Association (ASA), making his initial appearance at Hawkeye Downs Speedway. Competing for Herzog Motorsports, he earned the ASA Pat Schauer Memorial Rookie award in 1998. The subsequent year, he achieved two victories and secured third place in the overall standings. Throughout these seasons, Johnson notably finished second in both contests held at Fairgrounds Speedway.

His debut in the NASCAR Busch Series (currently known as the Xfinity Series) occurred in 1998 at Indianapolis Raceway Park, where he finished 25th while driving for ST Motorsports. In 1999, Johnson competed part-time with Herzog Motorsports before committing to a full-time schedule in 2000. That season was marked by a serious crash at Watkins Glen International caused by brake failure, resulting in a high-speed collision with the barriers; fortunately, he escaped without injury and ended the year tenth in points, accumulating six Top 10 finishes despite failing to qualify once at Daytona.

The year 2001 saw Johnson capture his inaugural Busch Series victory at Chicagoland Speedway and conclude the season eighth in points. Additionally, he joined Hendrick Motorsports for a limited four-race stint in the Winston Cup Series, making his debut at the UAW-GM Quality 500 held at Lowe's Motor Speedway. This opportunity emerged after establishing a connection with Hendrick driver Jeff Gordon during the 2000 Busch campaign; with Herzog Motorsports experiencing sponsorship difficulties, Hendrick extended an offer for a fourth car.

In 2002, Johnson officially transitioned to Hendrick Motorsports, piloting the No. 48 Chevrolet sponsored by Lowe's—a pivotal advancement in his professional racing trajectory.

2002–05

Johnson embarked on his full-time Winston Cup Series career in 2002, securing his first career pole position at the Daytona 500, becoming only the third rookie ever to achieve this feat. By his 13th race, he claimed victory at the NAPA Auto Parts 500 held at Auto Club Speedway. He made history as the first rookie to lead the championship standings and win twice at a single venue within one season, sweeping both events at Dover. Although he led 263 laps during the Coca-Cola 600 before receiving a penalty, Johnson accumulated four poles and three wins—matching the rookie record set by Tony Stewart in 1999—with six Top 5 finishes and twenty-one Top 10s, ultimately ranking fifth in points. Nevertheless, Ryan Newman captured Rookie of the Year honors by virtue of one additional Top 10 finish.

In 2003, Johnson achieved a streak placing him ninth all-time for consecutive weeks inside the Top 10 with sixty-nine. He secured three wins—including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600—two pole positions, fourteen Top 5s, and twenty Top 10 finishes. Additionally, Johnson triumphed in the All-Star race and concluded the season second in points behind Matt Kenseth, finishing ahead of future teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr..

During 2004, after an initially slow performance phase, Johnson rallied to earn victories at Darlington Raceway, the Coca-Cola 600, Pocono Raceway (winning both scheduled events), and Pennsylvania. Despite encountering difficulties at Talladega and Kansas Speedway, he won the UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. His second triumph within the Chase for the Nextel Cup came at Martinsville amid tragedy when team owner Rick Hendrick’s family and key personnel perished in a plane crash en route to that event. Johnson wrapped up the year with eight wins, twenty Top 5s, and twenty-three Top 10s, finishing second overall.

In 2005, Johnson claimed four successive victories on tracks sponsored by Lowe's—Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Lowe's Motor Speedway twice, and Dover International Speedway. He also captured another Coca-Cola 600 win by edging out Bobby Labonte. Entering the final race of the season at Homestead-Miami Speedway with championship aspirations intact, he finished fifth after experiencing a mid-race incident caused by a tire failure. The campaign featured thirteen Top 5 finishes, twenty-two Top 10s, and one pole position.

2006

In the 2006 season, Johnson kicked off the year by capturing the Daytona 500—his initial victory alongside spotter Earl Barban, who would later play a key role in five championships with Johnson and the No. 48 team. He followed this with a runner-up finish at California Speedway and triumphed at the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 in Las Vegas by overtaking Matt Kenseth on the final lap. Additional wins came at Talladega, Indianapolis, and Martinsville. A standout moment included his expert recovery during a qualifying spin at Dover, narrowly avoiding a crash.

Johnson distinguished himself as the sole modern-era competitor to secure a minimum of three victories in each of his first five seasons. Despite challenges during the Chase—such as a Did Not Finish (DNF) at New Hampshire, a pit stop mishap at Dover, a penalty at Kansas where he dominated most laps, and a spin at Talladega—he rebounded impressively with five straight Top 2 results, including a Martinsville win. This surge propelled him from eighth place in points to clinch his inaugural NASCAR championship. His season concluded with one pole position, 13 Top 5 finishes, 24 Top 10s, and he was honored with the 2006 Driver of the Year Award.

2007

In the 2007 campaign, Johnson amassed 10 victories, secured four poles, achieved 20 Top 5 finishes, and recorded 24 Top 10 placements. His successes included sweeping Richmond, Atlanta, and Martinsville, alongside wins at Las Vegas, Auto Club, Texas, and Phoenix. He captured his second straight championship and was again named Driver of the Year for 2007. Johnson also posted an impressive average finish of 5.0 during the Chase and concluded the season with 33 career wins, placing him 18th on NASCAR’s all-time victory list.

In December 2007, Johnson embarked on a specialized exercise and running regimen under trainer John Sitaras aimed at correcting muscle imbalances caused by compensating for g-forces in left turns. Over two years, he lowered his body fat from 20% to an athletic 8%, greatly enhancing his strength and endurance. This physical evolution was instrumental in him becoming the first racing driver to receive the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year award in 2009.

2008

Following the 2008 season, Johnson became only the second driver after Cale Yarborough to win three consecutive NASCAR Cup Series titles. That year he secured seven victories—including a sweep at Phoenix—achieved a personal best six poles, recorded 15 Top 5s, and notched 22 Top 10 finishes. Five of his wins came from pole position starts, making him unique as the only driver with three or more wins in each of his first seven seasons. Johnson also made his truck series debut at the O'Reilly 200 in Bristol, leading for 28 laps before spinning out.

During the Chase that year, he amassed an extraordinary total of 14 wins—eight more than any other competitor. A highlight was his Phoenix victory where strategic calls by crew chief Chad Knaus involving low fuel and worn tires secured the win. For his outstanding performance, Johnson earned both the 2008 Driver of the Year award and an ESPY for Best Driver, advancing to third place on the list of active winners.

2009

During the 2009 season, Johnson achieved his fourth straight championship, a distinction unique to him. He recorded seven victories, including a third consecutive win at the Checker Auto Parts 500 and both races held at Dover. His performance also featured four pole positions, 16 finishes within the Top 5, and 24 Top 10 results. Johnson set a record as the sole driver to earn at least three wins in each of his initial eight seasons and maintained a perfect streak of qualifying for every Chase since its inception in 2004. By the end of the year, he climbed to second place on the list of active winners and ranked 13th all-time in total wins. Following the season, he was honored with another ESPY Award and secured his third Driver of the Year title, joining the ranks of Jeff Gordon, Mario Andretti, and Darrell Waltrip as three-time recipients.

2010

In 2010, Johnson captured his fifth consecutive championship, becoming only the third driver since 1975 to win a title after trailing in points. That year, he amassed six victories at venues including Auto Club, Las Vegas—where he passed Jeff Gordon late in the race—Bristol, Sonoma (his sole road course triumph), New Hampshire, and Dover. Additionally, he earned two pole positions, achieved 17 Top 5 finishes, and placed in the Top 10 twenty-three times. Johnson continued his unique record of qualifying for every Chase event since it began. His victory at Bristol marked his surpassing of 50 career wins, positioning him tenth on NASCAR’s all-time list. At New Hampshire, after intense competition with Kurt Busch, Johnson reclaimed the lead during the final laps. He was awarded Driver of the Year for a fourth time, equaling Jeff Gordon’s record. Throughout the season-long battle with Denny Hamlin, Johnson ultimately overtook Hamlin’s points lead at Homestead to secure the championship. Moreover, he won Tony Stewart’s charity race, the Prelude to the Dream, recording his first victory on a dirt oval.

2011

The 2011 campaign began with Johnson finishing fourth in the Budweiser Shootout after starting from 23rd position. One week later at the 2011 Daytona 500, he again began 23rd but ended up 27th following a crash on lap 29. During the Subway Fresh Fit 500, he earned a third-place finish. After placing sixteenth at the Kobalt Tools 400, Johnson followed up with two consecutive Top 5 results.

Statistically speaking, Johnson’s performance in 2011 was among his less dominant seasons; he finished sixth in overall points with only two wins to his name. His first triumph occurred at the Aaron's 499 held at Talladega Superspeedway, where starting outside pole position he partnered with Dale Earnhardt Jr. in tandem drafting. The race concluded with Johnson narrowly edging out Clint Bowyer by just 0.002 seconds—the closest finish ever recorded at Talladega and tied for NASCAR’s narrowest margin overall. After four races placing within the top fifteen, an engine failure forced him out of the 2011 Coca-Cola 600. Three weeks later, a spin during the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 caused extensive tire damage and a broken sway bar, leading to a 27th-place finish. At the Toyota/Save Mart 350, he secured seventh place and moved up to third in the Drivers' Championship standings.

Returning to Daytona International Speedway for the Coke Zero 400, Johnson ran closely alongside Earnhardt Jr. until pitting under caution dropped him back; he ultimately finished twentieth following a last-lap crash. He then earned third and fifth-place finishes at the Quaker State 400 and Lenox Industrial Tools 301, respectively. A late pit stop with thirty laps remaining at the Brickyard 400 resulted in a nineteenth-place finish. Johnson finished fourth at the Good Sam RV Insurance 500 after making contact with Kurt Busch on the final lap and followed that with a tenth-place result in the next event. Subsequently, he achieved three consecutive Top 5 finishes.

In the regular season finale at the Wonderful Pistachios 400, Johnson ended up thirty-first. At Chicagoland Speedway during the GEICO 400, he placed tenth before finishing eighteenth at the Sylvania 300. He then secured second place at the AAA 400 prior to earning his second win of that season at the Hollywood Casino 400. A crash during the Bank of America 500 led to a thirty-fourth-place finish; however, he bounced back with a second-place finish in the subsequent race. Johnson closed out his season with two fourteenth-place results and ultimately ranked sixth in the final Driver’s Championship standings after finishing thirty-second in the Ford 400.

This season marked an end to Johnson’s championship streak as Tony Stewart claimed his third NASCAR title—the first time since Johnson’s dominance began in 2006 that another driver secured the championship crown.

2012

Johnson commenced the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with a 14th-place result in the Budweiser Shootout, following a crash on lap 74. In the Daytona 500, an early crash on lap 2 forced him to withdraw, resulting in a 42nd-place finish. He quickly recovered by securing fourth and second places in the Subway Fresh Fit 500 and Kobalt Tools 400, respectively. At Bristol Motor Speedway, Johnson finished ninth, elevating him to 11th in the Drivers' Standings. Despite contending with an oil leak, he managed to finish tenth at the Auto Club 400, aided by rain conditions. A crash at Martinsville led to a 12th-place finish, but he rebounded with a second place at the Samsung Mobile 500 after leading a significant portion of the race.

Johnson maintained momentum with a third-place finish at Kansas and sixth at Richmond. Starting 19th at Talladega, mechanical issues relegated him to 35th. The following week, he claimed victory at the Bojangles' Southern 500 in Darlington, marking Rick Hendrick’s 200th NASCAR Cup Series triumph. He then captured the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race win, tying Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt with three victories in that event. A penalty dropped him to 11th in the Coca-Cola 600, but he secured his second seasonal win at the FedEx 400. Overcoming a 24th-place starting spot, Johnson finished fourth at Pocono and achieved consecutive fifth-place results, advancing to fourth in the championship standings. After earning his first pole of the year at the Quaker State 400, he ended sixth but suffered a crash-induced 36th place at the Coke Zero 400.

Following a seventh-place result at the Lenox Industrial Tools 301, Johnson earned his third win of the year and fourth career victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, equaling Jeff Gordon’s record for most Brickyard 400 wins. While leading late at Michigan, engine failure handed victory to Greg Biffle.

Qualifying for the Chase for the Championship, Johnson posted three consecutive Top 5 finishes at the GEICO 400, Sylvania 300, and AAA 400. After finishing 17th at Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500, he recorded four top-ten finishes including back-to-back wins from pole positions at Martinsville and Texas—the latter marking his 60th series victory—building a seven-point lead over Brad Keselowski. Despite warnings from Tony Stewart about Keselowski’s aggressive tactics, Johnson withstood his challenges. At Phoenix, a blown right front tire caused a crash that relegated him to 32nd place. His championship bid ended at Homestead due to a pit road penalty combined with gear failure; he finished 36th in that race and third overall in the Drivers' Championship behind Keselowski and Bowyer.

2013: Return to championship form

In 2013, Johnson started with a 14th-place finish in the 2013 Sprint Unlimited following a lap-14 multi-car crash. He secured ninth on the Daytona 500 grid by finishing fourth in the first Budweiser Duel. During the Daytona 500, Johnson led late and held off competitors to claim his second Daytona 500 victory—his first win with crew chief Knaus—and ended a six-year streak of finishes worse than 27th caused by crashes and mechanical problems.

At Phoenix, Johnson finished second and followed up with sixth place at Las Vegas. A late spin dropped him to 22nd at Bristol but he recovered to twelfth at Fontana. Claiming his first pole of the season at Martinsville, he dominated by leading 346 of 500 laps en route to his eighth Martinsville triumph and assumed points leadership—maintaining it throughout the regular season. Consistent performances kept him comfortably ahead of rivals such as Carl Edwards and Clint Bowyer. Other notable finishes included sixth at Texas, third at Kansas, twelfth at Richmond, fifth at Talladega—where he was one of only two drivers to lead ten or more laps—and fourth at Darlington, extending his points advantage further.

Johnson won his record-setting fourth All-Star race in May after executing a strong pit stop and late-race pass. Following a spin that resulted in a 22nd-place finish, he led for 143 laps at Dover but ended up seventeenth due to a restart penalty. He bounced back by winning his third race of the season at Pocono from pole position after leading most laps—breaking a nine-year winless streak there. At Michigan, a late flat tire dashed his chances for victory as he finished twenty-eighth. He then earned ninth-place finishes both at Sonoma and Kentucky despite experiencing a late-race spin in Kentucky.

At Daytona’s Coke Zero 400, Johnson led for 94 laps en route to his fourth win of the year—becoming the first driver since Bobby Allison in 1982 to sweep both Daytona races within one season—a significant improvement from his restrictor plate struggles in 2012.

Starting second in qualifying at New Hampshire but penalized to last after failing inspection, Johnson rallied impressively to finish sixth. Near-pole efforts continued with a near-win lost due to slow pit work at Indianapolis. At Pocono, despite setting another qualifying record and leading early laps, tire troubles caused him to drop back; he recovered for thirteenth place.

Michigan proved challenging as Johnson crashed during practice and suffered engine failure early in the race resulting in a fortieth-place finish. This began a stretch of disappointing results—36th at Bristol, twenty-eighth at Atlanta, and fortieth again at Richmond—due largely to crashes and mechanical setbacks.

Entering the Chase as second seed, Johnson placed fifth at Chicago and fourth at New Hampshire. At Dover, he dominated by leading 243 laps and held off Dale Earnhardt Jr., securing his eighth Dover victory and avenging an earlier restart penalty.

Johnson exchanged points leads with Matt Kenseth before claiming it decisively at Talladega. They were tied again entering Martinsville; however, Johnson controlled Texas by leading an impressive 255 laps for his sixth win of the season. At Phoenix, avoiding trouble allowed him to finish third while Kenseth struggled—giving Johnson a commanding twenty-eight-point advantage heading into the finale.

In the Homestead-Miami finale, Johnson adopted a conservative approach finishing ninth overall which was enough to secure his sixth championship title. He closed out the season with six wins, three poles, sixteen Top Five finishes, twenty-four Top Tens, an average finish of 9.8 positions, and an average starting spot of 10.7.

2014

From a statistical perspective, 2014 ranked among Johnson's least successful seasons. He went without a win in the first 11 events (best result: second place at Martinsville), marking his longest winless streak since his early days in the Cup Series. The drought ended with a victory in the Coca-Cola 600, his first triumph in that race since 2005. He then secured another win at Dover, achieving his 13th career instance of consecutive victories.

Johnson earned a victory at Michigan after enduring several years of setbacks such as fuel depletion and mechanical issues. Nevertheless, his momentum declined as he experienced several poor finishes, including a 42nd-place outcome in the Coke Zero 400 caused by an early crash. This string of bad luck persisted with another 42nd-place finish at New Hampshire and inconsistent performances at Indianapolis (14th), Pocono (39th), and Watkins Glen (28th). Despite these challenges, he qualified fourth for the Chase.

During the Chase, Johnson finished twelfth at Chicagoland, fifth at New Hampshire, and third at Dover, which allowed him to progress to the Contender Round. However, subsequent races yielded a 40th and a 17th place finish. At Talladega, despite leading for 84 laps after starting second, he ended up 24th and failed to advance to the Eliminator Round. A crash at Martinsville resulted in a 39th-place finish.

Johnson rebounded by dominating the fall race at Texas, fending off competitors such as Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick to capture his third straight fall victory at Texas and break an 18-race winless streak. However, a blown tire led to a crash and a 38th-place finish at Phoenix. He wrapped up the season with a ninth-place finish at Homestead and concluded the year 11th in points—the first time he finished outside the Top 10 in his Cup career.

2015

Johnson kicked off 2015 by winning the Budweiser Duel and secured fifth place in the 2015 Daytona 500 for the second year running. The following week saw him claim victory in the 2015 Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 held in Atlanta.

At Las Vegas, Johnson was involved in two crashes, resulting in a 41st-place finish; however, he bounced back with an 11th place at Phoenix and ninth at California—the latter marking his first Top 10 there in two seasons. After an underwhelming 35th place at Martinsville, he triumphed at Texas by holding off Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr.. He followed this with second place at Bristol and third at Richmond, climbing back to fourth in the standings. At Talladega, he led for 50 laps but ultimately finished second behind Earnhardt Jr.

A strategic decision to stay on track during late pit stops at Kansas earned Johnson his third win of the year and set a new Cup record with 23 victories on tracks measuring 1.5 miles. This milestone also marked his 200th Top 5 and 300th Top 10 finish. At Charlotte, two spins—including one that caused damage to the wall—led to a disappointing 40th-place result. He recovered with a win at Dover, joining an elite group of four drivers with over ten wins at a single venue, bringing his career total to 74 victories—just two shy of Dale Earnhardt's record of 76.

Despite suffering a tire cut, Johnson managed third place at Pocono but finished nineteenth at Michigan due to rain-shortened conditions. Leading most of the laps (45) at Sonoma, a late caution hindered his chances; he ultimately finished sixth after being overtaken by Kyle Busch. Returning to Daytona, Johnson led for 35 laps before finishing runner-up to Earnhardt Jr., mirroring his Talladega result.

At Kentucky, consistent Top 10 running earned him a ninth-place finish. During Pocono’s second race, Johnson capitalized on rivals’ fuel problems to secure sixth place alongside Hendrick teammates Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Despite receiving two penalties at Watkins Glen, he still managed tenth place. A spin causing damage led to a 39th-place finish at Michigan; he bounced back with fourth place at Bristol but spun again at Darlington, finishing nineteenth. He followed this with ninth place at Richmond and entered the Chase tied for first position with Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth.

Johnson’s Chase began on a difficult note; a blown left front tire at Chicagoland limited him to eleventh amid controversy involving contact with Harvick. He secured sixth place at Loudon despite another tire issue but saw his championship hopes dashed when driveline failure dropped him to forty-first at Dover. Johnson rebounded by winning the fall race in Texas—his fourth consecutive fall triumph there and third straight overall on that track—ending a twenty-race winless streak and recording his seventy-fifth NASCAR Cup Series victory, just one short of tying Dale Earnhardt’s career record.

He concluded the season with fifth place at Phoenix and ninth for the third straight year at Homestead, narrowly edging Ryan Newman by one point for tenth in the final standings. Following Jeff Gordon’s retirement, Johnson became the active leader in career wins with seventy-five victories.

2016: Securing the Seventh Championship

The 2016 campaign began with Johnson finishing 16th at the Daytona 500. He earned his first victory of the year, and the 76th of his career, at Atlanta Motor Speedway, which tied him with Dale Earnhardt for seventh place on the all-time wins leaderboard. Following this, Johnson achieved third and eleventh positions in Las Vegas and Phoenix respectively. His second triumph came at the Auto Club 400, where he overtook Harvick during overtime—marking his first Top 5 finish at Auto Club Speedway since 2011. At Martinsville, despite qualifying 24th, he rallied to secure ninth place, and a week later, he finished fourth at Texas despite sustaining minor damage from a collision.

At Bristol’s Food City 500, an unexpected pit stop relegated Johnson to 23rd place. He showed strong pace at Richmond by leading early and finishing third. At Talladega, a multi-car crash forced a 22nd-place result. The following races were marred by incidents at Dover, Pocono, Daytona, Kentucky, and Watkins Glen—the latter marking his first last-place finish. During this stretch, his only Top 10s were two third-place finishes at the Coca-Cola 600 and Brickyard 400. He then secured seventh and sixth places at Bristol and Michigan but spun out at Darlington, ending up 33rd, followed by an 11th-place finish at Richmond. Johnson qualified eighth heading into the Chase.

During the Chase, Johnson led a race-high 118 laps at Chicagoland but was penalized for speeding on pit road, finishing 12th. An eighth-place finish followed at Loudon. At Dover, despite leading for 90 laps, another pit road penalty cost him victory; he recovered to seventh place and advanced to the "Round of 12." At Charlotte, Johnson dominated by leading 155 laps to win the Bank of America 500, marking his eighth triumph there and third win of the season—breaking a 24-race winless streak and advancing to the "Round of 8." Subsequent finishes included fourth at Kansas and a disappointing 23rd at Talladega.

At Martinsville, after contact with Denny Hamlin and fuel pressure complications, Johnson rebounded to lead the final 92 laps and claim victory in the Goody's Fast Relief 500, clinching his spot in the Championship 4. He finished eleventh in a rain-shortened Texas event but was penalized at Phoenix following a restart wreck that dropped him to 38th place.

Johnson secured his seventh championship by winning the Homestead race on November 20. Although starting from the back due to pre-race inspection issues, he quickly moved into the Top 10 and hovered near fifth position until a late-race crash involving Carl Edwards ended Edwards’ title hopes. Johnson avoided the incident and capitalized on the final restart by passing Kyle Larson, ultimately capturing his seventh championship—tying him with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for most championships in NASCAR history.

2017: Final Victories in NASCAR

As the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion entering 2017, Johnson experienced a slow beginning with just one Top 10 finish across the opening six races. He then captured consecutive wins at the 2017 O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 in Texas and the 2017 Food City 500 at Bristol, marking his fourteenth career streak of back-to-back victories. The following week saw a collision with teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Richmond that resulted in a flat tire and a finish just outside the Top 10.

Johnson’s third victory of the season came in June at Dover when he passed Kyle Larson on an overtime restart. This win was notable as his record-breaking eleventh triumph at Dover and his eighty-third career victory—tying him with NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough. This race would stand as Johnson’s final win in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The remainder of the season proved difficult. At the 2017 Axalta presents the Pocono 400, Johnson experienced brake failure while traveling over 200 MPH, resulting in a crash into the SAFER barrier; teammate Jamie McMurray suffered a similar brake malfunction nearby. Both drivers emerged uninjured. Johnson’s midseason slump included no Top 5 finishes and only three Top 10 results. During the 2017 Brickyard 400, his Lowe’s-sponsored Chevrolet emitted heavy smoke before crashing after attempting a three-wide maneuver. A subsequent collision with teammate Kasey Kahne led to another Did Not Finish (DNF), marking three DNFs across four races. Despite these setbacks, Johnson qualified for the playoffs based on earlier victories.

Within the playoffs, Johnson maintained his status as a championship contender. A third-place result at Dover propelled him into the Round of 12. He followed with seventh place at Charlotte but was involved in "The Big One" crash at Talladega, finishing twenty-fourth due to disqualification for unauthorized crew repairs during a red flag period. At Kansas Speedway, despite spins and involvement in a multi-car accident, he finished eleventh and narrowly advanced to the Round of 8 by nine points.

Johnson’s performance declined during the third round with twelfth place at Martinsville followed by a disappointing twenty-seventh at Texas. Entering Phoenix trailing by fifty-one points and requiring a win to continue competing for the title, his championship hopes ended when he suffered a tire blowout and crashed on lap one hundred forty-eight. He concluded the season ranked tenth overall—marking his fifteenth and final Top Ten finish in season standings.

2018: Final Year with Knaus and Lowe's

Johnson's Speedweeks got off to a difficult start, as he was involved in crashes in all three events. During the Advance Auto Parts Clash, he was taken out on the last lap by Kyle Larson, extending his streak to seven straight years without a Clash finish. Although he secured the third position in qualifying for the 2018 Daytona 500, Johnson switched to a backup car after crashing in his Duel race. On lap 59 of the Daytona 500, he became part of a multi-vehicle accident involving both teammates and rivals, ultimately finishing 38th. Throughout the 2018 season, Johnson faced challenges, recording just two Top 5s and eight Top 10s, narrowly advancing to the Playoffs for the 15th year running. His most notable outing came at the Charlotte Roval, where he maintained a Top 10 position and contended with Martin Truex Jr. for victory before spinning on the last lap, concluding the race in eighth place. He was eliminated during the Round of 16 after being tied with two others at zero points, ending the season with a personal worst 14th place in the overall standings, failing to win for the first time since 2002 and matching his career-low with only 11 Top 10 finishes.

A highlight of sportsmanship occurred when Johnson pushed teammate Chase Elliott's car to Victory Lane following Elliott’s inaugural win at Watkins Glen after running out of fuel.

On March 14, 2018, Lowe's announced it would conclude its sponsorship of the No. 48 car at season’s end; starting in 2019, Ally Financial became the primary sponsor under a two-year agreement. After seventeen years—the longest driver-crew chief partnership in NASCAR history—Johnson and crew chief Knaus parted ways following the season. For 2019, Johnson began working with JR Motorsports crew chief Kevin Meendering.

2019

Johnson kicked off the 2019 season on a high note by winning the 2019 Advance Auto Parts Clash, marking his first victory with new sponsor Ally Financial and crew chief Meendering. He followed this with an eighth-place finish in the opening Duel race. Despite sustaining damage from a pit road collision during the Daytona 500, Johnson rebounded to claim ninth place. His subsequent performances included a 24th-place finish at Atlanta and ninth at Texas, where he also earned his first pole position since 2016 and his first Top 5 since the 2018 Coca-Cola 600. He continued strong with a fourth-place finish at Chicagoland and third at the rain-shortened 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400, both representing his best results of that year.

On July 29, Hendrick Motorsports replaced Meendering with race engineer Cliff Daniels as crew chief for the No. 48 following a string of disappointing results. At Watkins Glen, Johnson finished 19th after spinning out due to contact from Ryan Blaney, sparking a brief rivalry that was later resolved at Michigan.

In September, Johnson failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time ever after being involved in a crash at the 2019 Brickyard 400 alongside Kurt Busch and William Byron. He closed out the season adding four more Top 10 finishes but ended with a career-low points standing of 18th, remaining winless for a second straight year amid several accidents.

On October 4, Ally Financial confirmed an extension of its full-season sponsorship of the No. 48 through the conclusion of the 2023 campaign.

2020: Last Full-Time Campaign

On November 20, 2019, Johnson declared that the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season would mark his final year competing full-time, while leaving open the chance to participate on a part-time basis. The year kicked off with a fourth-place qualifying effort for the Daytona 500, followed by an 11th-place result in the 2020 Busch Clash. He secured second place in Duel 2, finishing behind teammate William Byron. In what would be his final Daytona 500 appearance, Johnson started from sixth position but ended up 35th after being involved in a significant crash. At Las Vegas, he topped practice charts and completed the race in fifth place. At Auto Club Speedway, Johnson earned a second-place starting spot and led ten laps during the race before finishing seventh; his family took part in the green flag ceremony, and a four-wide salute was held in his honor.

Following the pause caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Johnson suffered a crash while leading late in the first stage at Darlington Raceway, extending his winless streak to 100 consecutive races. He bounced back with an eighth-place finish at the Toyota 500 held on the same track. During the Coca-Cola 600, Johnson qualified second and initially crossed the line in second place but was disqualified after failing post-race inspection. He then finished 11th at Charlotte’s subsequent race.

Johnson achieved top-ten results at both Bristol and Atlanta. At Martinsville, starting from 21st on the grid, he captured his first stage victory of the season and third stage win overall but ultimately finished tenth. Despite early difficulties at Homestead, he managed to finish 16th. At Talladega Superspeedway, Johnson participated in a pre-race ceremony supporting Bubba Wallace amid ongoing controversy and nearly seized the lead late in the event before being spun out.

On July 3, Johnson tested positive for COVID-19, forcing him to miss the Brickyard 400 and ending his streak of 663 consecutive Cup Series starts. After returning two negative tests, he came back for the Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway but spun late while running third. The following week at Texas Motor Speedway, mechanical problems and penalties hampered his performance, resulting in a 26th-place finish that kept him just above the playoff cutoff line. Additional setbacks included a crash at Kansas while running inside the top ten and a spin at New Hampshire.

Ahead of the Go Bowling 235 at Daytona’s road course, Johnson’s team introduced a white "rAlly" paint scheme aimed at "resetting" their luck; this change coincided with his best road course finish of fourth place.

As the regular season neared its conclusion, Johnson was competing against teammates Byron and Matt DiBenedetto for remaining playoff berths. Strong showings during Dover’s doubleheader kept him close behind Byron and DiBenedetto entering Daytona’s Coke Zero Sugar 400. Despite competitive stage finishes, Johnson was caught up in a late-race wreck and ended up 17th, missing playoff qualification by six points. He publicly reflected on the difficulties of his season while expressing appreciation for Hendrick Motorsports’ support.

In NASCAR’s first playoff contest at Darlington Raceway, although no longer in championship contention, Johnson ran within the top five while sporting a throwback paint scheme paying tribute to fellow seven-time champions Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty. Hendrick Motorsports teammates also wore retro liveries honoring Johnson.

During the fall race at Texas Motor Speedway, Johnson drew attention with a unique car design created by young artist Noah Sweet ("Lefty"). Sweet’s earlier pride-themed concept had faced considerable online harassment but also garnered widespread backing from NASCAR’s community and support from Johnson himself. Unfortunately, engine troubles limited the car to a 36th-place finish.

Johnson recorded his sole Top 10 playoff result with a fifth-place finish in his final career start—the Season Finale 500 at Phoenix Raceway—emerging as the highest finisher outside of the Championship Round. He congratulated teammate Chase Elliott on winning the title and completed a celebratory victory lap.

He wrapped up his concluding full-time season with ten Top Ten finishes—the fewest he has achieved in any year of his career.

2023: Legacy Motor Club co-ownership and part-time racing return

On November 4, 2022, Johnson became a part-owner of Petty GMS Motorsports and revealed plans for a limited schedule in the 2023 Cup Series, starting with an entry in the 2023 Daytona 500.

The team adopted the name Legacy Motor Club on January 11, 2023, with Johnson piloting the No. 84 car. He earned a place in the Daytona 500 by recording the quickest lap among non-chartered competitors on February 14 but concluded the race in 31st position following an overtime incident. At the March COTA event, Johnson was involved in an early crash that relegated him to 38th place. His May appearance at the 2023 Coca-Cola 600 ended prematurely after two spins, resulting in a 37th-place finish with limited distance completed.

In June 2023, Legacy Motor Club withdrew Johnson’s entry from the Chicago street course event due to a family loss affecting his in-laws.

During his part-time campaign in 2024, Johnson posted finishes of 28th at the 2024 Daytona 500, followed by placements of 29th at Texas, 28th at Dover, 38th at Kansas, 29th at Charlotte, and 33rd at Indianapolis. On July 26, Legacy Motor Club announced the dismissal of crew chief Jason Burdett along with several members of the No. 84 team.

On January 27, 2025, Johnson was promoted to majority owner of Legacy Motor Club as Knighthead Capital Management took a minority share. Former co-owner Maury Gallagher shifted to an ambassadorial position. At the 2025 Daytona 500, Johnson achieved his best career result since joining the Next Gen car era with a third-place finish—his highest Daytona outcome since winning in 2013 and surpassing his prior best of 26th from the conclusion of the 2024 season.

IndyCar Series

Johnson participated in testing sessions with IndyCar Series outfit Chip Ganassi Racing during 2020. A March test planned with Arrow McLaren SP was canceled because of COVID-19 restrictions, while a July test with Ganassi was postponed after Johnson contracted the virus. The Ganassi test eventually took place on July 28 under the supervision of owner Chip Ganassi and five-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon. Johnson described driving an IndyCar as fulfilling a "childhood dream."

On September 9, 2020, he announced a part-time IndyCar contract with Chip Ganassi Racing for both the 2021 and 2022 seasons, focusing primarily on road and street circuits. This agreement allowed for potential selective NASCAR Cup Series starts since Ganassi operated two Cup cars and could have added a part-time entry for Johnson within NASCAR’s four-car limit. However, Ganassi’s NASCAR operations were sold to Justin Marks and merged into Trackhouse Racing Team in 2022. Initially hesitant to compete on ovals due to safety concerns, Johnson later consented to an oval test at Texas as preparation for the Indianapolis 500.

Johnson encountered numerous challenges during his early IndyCar career, including spins and accidents.

On December 15, 2021, he committed to contesting the full 2022 IndyCar season driving the No. 48 car for Chip Ganassi Racing. He secured his best oval finish by placing sixth at the Texas XPEL 375 in 2022. During his Indianapolis 500 debut, Johnson led two laps and earned Rookie of the Year honors despite crashing late in the race. His first top-five IndyCar result came on July 24, 2022, at Iowa Speedway’s Hy-Vee Salute to Farmers 300. On September 26, 2022, Johnson announced his decision to step back from full-time competition.

Other motorsport appearances

Johnson made his first appearance at the Race of Champions in Europe during the 2002 edition. Although he was knocked out early by then-WRC titleholder Marcus Grönholm, he contributed to Team USA’s victory in the teams' competition alongside Jeff Gordon and Colin Edwards. He returned in 2004 but was defeated in the quarterfinals by Mattias Ekström, and although he entered again in 2006, an injury forced him to withdraw. At the 2007 event, Johnson was eliminated prior to the quarterfinal round by Formula One competitor Sébastien Bourdais.

In 2004, Johnson expanded into Grand-Am racing, debuting at the 24 Hours of Daytona where he finished eighth. The following year, his squad, Howard-Boss Motorsports, secured second place. During 2006, he participated in two Daytona races, finishing ninth and nineteenth respectively. By 2008, Johnson was racing with Bob Stallings Racing, teaming up with Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty to earn a runner-up finish at the Rolex 24. He continued with GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing through 2010, recording results between seventh and twenty-first in various endurance contests such as the Rolex 24 and Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen. In 2011, his team concluded the Rolex 24 in fifteenth position.

At the 2021 24 Hours of Daytona, Johnson piloted the Ally Financial-sponsored No. 48 Cadillac DPi-V.R for Action Express Racing, partnering with Simon Pagenaud, Kamui Kobayashi, and Mike Rockenfeller. The team finished second, marking Johnson’s third career runner-up at this event. Throughout that year, they competed in all IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup races. At Sebring, although initially classified third, a penalty for drive time infractions relegated them to 28th overall.

On November 26, 2018, Johnson took part in a motorsport cultural exchange alongside two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso at Bahrain International Circuit. The occasion involved both drivers comparing their vehicles and exchanging perspectives on their respective racing disciplines.

Personal life

Born on September 17, 1975, in El Cajon, California, Johnson is the son of Catherine Ellen "Cathy" (née Dunnill) and Gary Ernest Johnson. He has two younger brothers—Jarit and Jessie—who both compete professionally in off-road racing within the TORC: The Off-Road Championship. Johnson attended Granite Hills High School, where he participated in water polo, diving, and swimming before graduating in 1993. His number 48 has been retired from all school athletic uniforms, and he has been inducted into the institution’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Currently residing in Charlotte, North Carolina, a central hub for NASCAR professionals, Johnson is married to Chandra Janway; the couple has two daughters.

An avid triathlete, Johnson frequently engages in triathlons and long-distance running competitions. His Jimmie Johnson Foundation organizes Wellness Challenge triathlon events. In 2019, he completed the Boston Marathon with a finishing time of 3:09:07.

Johnson shared a close bond with fellow NASCAR driver Blaise Alexander. Following Alexander’s fatal accident in 2001—which prompted NASCAR to mandate the use of the HANS device for driver safety—Johnson’s racecar has featured a flame decal displaying Alexander’s initials at every event. After the tragic 2004 plane crash that claimed the life of Rick Hendrick’s son Ricky along with nine others, the Hendrick plane’s tail number was added beside Alexander’s initials on Johnson’s car as a tribute.

The Jimmie Johnson Foundation

Established in 2006 by Jimmie Johnson and his wife, Chandra, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation is dedicated to assisting children, families, and underserved communities. In 2007, Johnson inaugurated Jimmie Johnson's Victory Lanes, a bowling facility located in Randleman, North Carolina, designed specifically for attendees at Pattie and Kyle Petty's Victory Junction Gang Camp. The foundation supports numerous charitable organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, the Hendrick Marrow Program, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Victory Junction.

Each year, the foundation organizes a golf tournament in San Diego aimed at generating funds for K-12 public education initiatives. Since its launch, this event has raised $8 million to benefit a variety of educational projects. Between 2009 and 2010, the foundation distributed $1.5 million in grants through its Education Champions Grants program to public schools across California, Oklahoma, and North Carolina. These funds supported advancements such as technology upgrades, outdoor learning spaces, playground installations, and literacy programs. Additionally, the foundation has played a role in disaster relief efforts in partnership with the American Red Cross.

In 2014, Johnson took on a role as a spokesperson for the Ban Bossy campaign, which promotes leadership development among young girls.

Legacy

Jimmie Johnson is widely recognized as one of the premier drivers in NASCAR history. He has earned commendations for his leadership and mentorship from both emerging racers like Corey LaJoie, Chase Elliott, William Byron, Bubba Wallace, Alex Bowman, and Ryan Blaney as well as established veterans including Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick, and Jeff Gordon.

Awards and honors

In 2000, People included Johnson on their list of "Men in the Fast Lane."

He secured the Driver of the Year Award five times (2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013) and became the first racing driver honored with the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year Award in 2009.

Johnson was ranked as the most influential athlete by Forbes.com in both 2011 and 2012.

In 2018, he was presented with the Byrnsie Award during FS1's NASCAR RaceDay broadcast prior to the 2018 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway, recognizing his significant contributions to NASCAR.

Records and milestones

At the time of his retirement, Johnson held 83 career points-paying victories, making him the winningest active NASCAR driver and placing him sixth overall among all-time Cup Series winners; he ranks third within the modern era (1972–present). He shares the record for most NASCAR Cup Series championships—7 titles—with Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Richard Petty and holds the record for most consecutive championships with five straight titles.

Johnson is the all-time leader in Cup Series wins at several tracks:

• Auto Club Speedway (6 victories)
• Charlotte Motor Speedway (8 victories)
• Dover International Speedway (11 victories)
• Las Vegas Motor Speedway (4 victories)
• Texas Motor Speedway (7 victories)

During the 2020 season, he won Cup Series races at every track on the schedule except for Chicagoland Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Watkins Glen International, The Roval at Charlotte, and the Daytona Road Course.

Until 2019, Johnson uniquely qualified for every NASCAR Cup Series playoff since its introduction in 2004, holding records for both most consecutive and total playoff appearances with 15 seasons.

Soccer

On January 11, 2022, Johnson revealed Charlotte FC's inaugural MLS draft selection and the top overall pick in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft, choosing Ben Bender from the University of Maryland.

Film and television appearances

Johnson portrayed a moonshine runner alongside Ryan Newman in the opening sequence of the 2004 film NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience.

He made a cameo as himself in the 2005 movie Herbie: Fully Loaded, providing commentary on Herbie’s sunroof, with a brief shot of his car from Herbie’s perspective.

In 2005, Johnson starred in an episode of the television series Las Vegas.

HBO’s 24/7 featured him in the episode "Jimmie Johnson: Race to Daytona," which chronicled his preparation for the 2010 Daytona 500.

In 2012, Johnson appeared in a NASCAR segment on Top Gear alongside Jeff Gordon, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Kyle Petty.

Johnson has been a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon three times (2014, 2016, 2022), engaging in motorized cooler competitions, Mario Kart matches with fellow NASCAR champions, and promoting the 2022 Indianapolis 500 with his daughter.

Shortly after securing his second Daytona 500 victory in 2013, he challenged Ellen DeGeneres to a go-kart race on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

On November 19, 2013, Johnson became the first professional athlete to serve as co-host on ESPN's premier program SportsCenter.

In 2015, he appeared on Repeat After Me and provided the voice of a lobster character on Bubble Guppies.

Johnson contributed voice work to Blaze and the Monster Machines in 2016 along with NASCAR drivers Chase Elliott, Kasey Kahne, and Danica Patrick. He also made a brief appearance in a cutaway gag during season two of Superstore.

On November 30, 2021, Johnson appeared on CBS Mornings to promote a charity initiative by the Jimmie Johnson Foundation in partnership with the American Legion.

In 2022, he competed against Clint Bowyer in season one, episode three of Barmageddon.

Magazines

Johnson has graced the covers of numerous magazines such as NASCAR Illustrated, Sports Illustrated, Men's Fitness, and Success.

Music video

He made a guest appearance as a pilot in the music video for The Avett Brothers' song "Ain't No Man," which was the lead single from their album True Sadness (2016).

Video games

Johnson’s No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet is prominently displayed on the covers of NASCAR Racing 2003 Season alongside Kevin Harvick and also appears on NASCAR The Game: 2011. He and teammate Jeff Gordon feature together on the cover of NASCAR 06: Total Team Control, highlighting the Team Control gameplay feature. Additionally, Johnson is one of six drivers featured on the cover of NASCAR Kart Racing.

His No. 48 Chevrolet Impala is among twelve selectable NASCAR Sprint Cup Series vehicles in Gran Turismo 5 (2010), with his cars from 2011 and 2013 added through later updates and sequels including Gran Turismo 6. Johnson is also the star of the racing title Jimmie Johnson's Anything with an Engine released in 2011.

The No. 48 car is available to play in Forza Motorsport 6 via the NASCAR expansion pack featuring twenty-four paint schemes from the 2016 Sprint Cup Series season, including Johnson’s Lowe's SS. Johnson joined Chase Elliott and Kyle Busch as commentators dubbed “voices of motorsport,” contributing to both narration and development for this expansion.

Johnson appears alongside teammates Chase Elliott, Alex Bowman, and William Byron on the cover of NASCAR Heat 3. Furthermore, he was featured in Ally Racer, a mobile game developed by Ally Financial to honor his final racing season.

See also

• List of Daytona 500 pole position winners
• List of Daytona 500 winners

External links

• The Jimmie Johnson Foundation