“I Don’t Wanna Be That Source of Fire for Someone Else”- Jimmie Johnson Refuses to Jinx His Unfathomable NASCAR Feat

Let’s face it, nobody is ever really keen on seeing their records smashed. Take Dale Earnhardt Jr, for example. He’s not exactly jumping for joy at the thought of his dad’s records being topped. Junior makes it a point to keep his father’s legacy in the spotlight, always reminding folks of the legendary wheelman his dad was. Then there’s Jimmie Johnson. He’s got a trophy case with seven championships, all bagged with his right-hand man, Chad Knaus.

What makes it even more impressive is that Johnson clinched five of those titles successively. But, true to human nature, even Jimmie recently hinted on the NASCAR live podcast that he’s not too keen on someone else rewriting the record books he’s a part of. And while seven championships are already an iconic feat, Johnson also revealed how a legend pushed him to go after another series victory.

Jimmie Johnson stated that Richard Petty was one of the motivating factors when he was chasing his eighth cup

Jimmie Johnson, who just recently got inducted into the Hall of Fame along with his former crew chief, Chad Knaus, has always drawn inspiration from Richard Petty, especially during his quest for that elusive eighth cup. And that’s why his words mean the world to Johnson.

Back in his 2002 rookie year, Johnson matched the record for most wins by a rookie in the NASCAR Cup Series, bagging three victories. He wrapped up the season ranked fifth overall, a strong finish for a newcomer. Johnson’s always been the kind of guy who, when told he can’t do something, doubles down and proves the naysayers wrong. That’s exactly how he clinched seven championships.

In a candid chat, when asked about the possibility of his record being broken, Johnson said, “I don’t ever want to say never. As I was chasing the seven, I remember so many people saying, ‘He’ll never get to 7, it’ll never happen again’, and it just fueled my fire and it fueled our fire as a team. So, I don’t want to be that source of fire for someone else.”

He shared how Richard Petty was a huge encouragement during Johnson’s pursuit of the eighth championship. “But Richard Petty was always so gracious and when I was trying to chase, you know, the eighth championship. He would come to me all the time and would say, ‘Hey, you know, uh, records are made to be broken. Just go ahead and break that’. And I just, I appreciate it as a perspective on that, so I feel like it’s a place to be.”

But it’s not just about the championships; it’s the love for the race, the cars. Johnson embodies this perfectly. Even though he races occasionally for his own team, the thrill of the track keeps calling him back. With a few races already on his calendar for the 2024 season, Johnson’s now added a few more to the list.

Watch This Story: What is the story behind Rick Hendrick and Jimmie Johnson’s “cookie and milk” history? 

7X Cup Champion is joining forces with Carvana for a couple more NASCAR Cup races this year

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In 2024, Jimmie Johnson is set to hit the track in three races, all decked out in Carvana colors on his No. 84 Toyota. He’ll be revving up at the Daytona 500 to kick things off, then tearing up the track at the Brickyard 400 – which is going back to its classic oval layout – and finally, he’ll be crossing the finish line of the season at Phoenix Raceway.

In the upcoming season, Carvana’s going all out to celebrate Johnson’s impressive journey through NASCAR and IndyCar. They’re cooking up three unique paint schemes, each a tribute to his legacy. Keep an eye out next month for the grand reveal of the Daytona 500 design.

Read More: Robbed by Family Tragedy Last Season, Jimmie Johnson Sheds Light on Missing NASCAR’s Second Chicago Rodeo

Apparently, Johnson’s dance card for 2024 is filling up fast, with a total of nine races now on his agenda. He’s already gearing up for the Texas race, Kansas, and the iconic Coke 600 at Charlotte. For these races, he would be teaming up with AdventHealth.

Are you excited to see the icon on the track?