I don't think I'll ever understand why some race fans can't embrace five-time and defending NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson.
His accomplishment of winning five consecutive championships is something that all race fans should celebrate, no matter who their favorite driver is. Johnson is the epitome of greatness, especially considering he is also knocking on the door of winning his sixth championship this season.
I've read plenty of stories online that proclaim "Double J" doesn't have it in him to win a sixth championship and I beg to differ. With seven races remaining, Johnson is fifth in the Chase standings, a mere 13 points behind leader Kevin Harvick.
Johnson and longtime crew chief Chad Knaus may have hit a snag in 2011, but I doubt that's going to last forever. Although Johnson's won only won race this season (Talladega), some of his best tracks are coming up.
Consider this: of the final seven races this season, Johnson has won at each at least once or more except Homestead. That's really unprecedented and not something that every driver has on his resume.
This week's race in Kansas Johnson won from the pole in 2008. Earlier this season at Kansas, Johnson started deep in the field (31st) and still finished in the top 10 (seventh). Next weekend's Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Johnson should surely be considered the odds-on favorite considering he's won there six times.
Honestly, I don't see anybody or anything stopping Johnson from winning his sixth consecutive Cup title this season. I'm sure he'll win at least three, maybe four of the last seven races, too.
I've provided some statistical comparisons to why race fans should appreciate Johnson's accomplishments, now I want to delve into his character.
I don't know Johnson personally, but I truly believe he's not as "vanilla" as so many fans make his out to be. Just because he's from California and not from the South doesn't mean he shouldn't be regarded as one of the greatest stock car drivers who ever lived.
I'd take Johnson or the late Dale Earnhardt, Junior Johnson, or Cale Yarborough.
For some reason, some race fans are locked into the nostalgia of NASCAR and can't see beyond Dale Earnhardt tying Richard Petty for seven Cup titles. Mark my words, when all is said and done, Johnson will smash that record and win 10, possibly 11 Cup championships before he calls it a career.
I'm not saying that Harvick or any other driver competing in the Chase isn't worthy of winning this year's championship, what I am trying to say is that Johnson's accomplishments need to be appreciated more by race fans and the media that follow the sport.
October 8, 2011
Nancy Anne Johnson:
THANK YOU David, for your honesty and journalistic integrity when writing about Jimmie Johnson. Those selective few who believe JJ has ruined the sport, should ask themselves “what has their driver done for them lately” they then will have the right to criticize NASCAR’s defending champion for the past five years. What Jimmie has done for NASCAR in the sporting news headlines should be commended. He’s an excellent ambassador to the sport, highly respected by other sports celebrities both on/off the track, and he continually conducts himself in a professional, intelligent and humourous manner. I don’t live in NASCAR past, I live in NASCAR present…and I will continue to embrace Jimmie’s championship runs.