What can be better than seeing your favorite racer excelling in a foreign event? Jimmie Johnson arguably remains known as the greatest NASCAR driver, boasting seven Cup Series championships. Besides that, he owns 83 wins at 20 different racetracks, including NASCAR crown jewel events. Yet clearly our NASCAR champion is yet to reach his saturation point, as he recently proved.

Johnson enlisted in the prestigious Goodwood Revival in West Sussex, South-East England. But the change of continents and even the change of steering wheel did not deter our champion from clinching a glamorous victory.

Jimmie Johnson stuns at a British race

Amidst fans dressing up in period costumes and racers wheeling vintage cars, Jimmie Johnson did not feel at home initially. The idea of driving a $2.5 Million race car at the very heart of British racing heritage may have left his hands clammy. So during the practice for the Stirling Moss GT Extravaganza race, a rainy dilemma set in. Johnson could not help but drive his No. 46 Aston Martin DB4 GT Lightweight into the tire barriers. Fans even bashed the hallowed NASCAR champion for destroying British royalty.

However, Jimmie Johnson roared back with a glimmer of his former glory. Pairing with four-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti, Johnson dominated the race from 9th on the grid. He wheeled the car from fourth to first in two corners and beamed with pride upon clinching the victory. Johnson exuded his joy while wearing the ceremonial sheath of leaves. “This is very special – oh I get a cigar too! This is great. What an honor. This has just been an event that I don’t wanna miss. I have always dreamed of coming here and competing.” 

Further, Jimmie Johnson poured gratitude for his race team and also teammate Franchitti. They helped him scramble out of the wrecking issue. The pair rebuilt their momentum after a pit stop and swept up the victory even after a 10-second penalty. “Big thanks and credit to this team. I kind of scratched the back in the rain…and they’ve been able to fix the car back on track. Of course, Dario had just been a long-time close friend. To be able to share a car with him and to be able to share a win together – it’s gonna be a fun night.” 

Yet this win did not come out of the blue. Jimmie Johnson debuted in Goodwood in 2022, when his results did not look so bright.

Troubles marred Johnson’s first run

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Before he won in 2024, Jimmie Johnson picked up some experience in Goodwood. In 2022, he debuted at the Goodwood Revival, qualifying a Ford Galaxie 500 6th place in the St. Mary’s Trophy race. He ran fifth in the early stages of the 17-lap race before a broken exhaust header stopped Johnson. His teammate fixed the problem and finished third. Then Johnson fared better in the blue-riband Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy Celebration, matching the pace of the frontrunners. Driving the AC Cobra Le Mans Coupe, he and Shaun Lynn settled for fifth place.

Despite the faults, Jimmie Johnson observed some unique aspects. “I’m more comfortable in the Cobra and the Galaxie than I am in the IndyCar because they’re much more like a NASCAR. They move around more, so the driving style is similar. The Cobra is right-hand drive, which is new to me and it took some time to get used to the gearshift on the ‘wrong’ side, but the Galaxie is left-hand drive.” He was also fascinated by the historical theme of the racing event. “What a beautiful circuit. And the other thing that stands out is the effort of all the fans in their period clothing.”

Evidently, Jimmie Johnson built on his prior experience to clinch this year’s win. This adds to his already long and glittering list of motorsport achievements.