Racing fans are no strangers to heated debates over who the true GOAT (Greatest of All Time) is in their sport. Whether it’s LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan in basketball, Lewis Hamilton vs. Michael Schumacher in Formula 1, or Richard Petty vs. Dale Earnhardt Sr. vs. Jimmie Johnson in NASCAR, the arguments are relentless. Statistics, eras, and competition levels are analyzed ad nauseam as fans try to crown a definitive king.

But while fans bicker, the legends themselves often show a different side—one of camaraderie and mutual respect. That was never more evident than in 2016, as Richard Petty offered words of encouragement to Jimmie Johnson on the eve of his historic seventh NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Richard Petty’s timeless advice

Legacy Motor Club’s end-of-year meeting offered a chance to look back at the season and honor the journey ahead. Amid the reflection, Jimmie Johnson shared an emotional moment that took the room—and the racing world—back to the fateful night in 2016 when he tied Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr. with seven Cup championships. “I’ll never forget,” Johnson said. “The last hand I shook before I rolled off to win my seventh that night was yours [Richard Petty]. You told me records are made to be broken. I’ll never forget that.”

It was a statement that carried weight, coming from NASCAR’s original King. Petty, who had already witnessed decades of racing evolution, saw in Johnson not a rival but a worthy successor to the legacy he and Earnhardt built.

Speaking at the Legacy Motor Club meeting, Richard Petty reflected on his long history in the sport. “Overall, this has been a great experience to be around racing for 75 years and see all the people that come through—all the champions,” Petty said. “Saw you [Johnson] come back through, win championships and races and stuff. And then now being involved with you, it’s a great honor.”

The respect went both ways. Jimmie Johnson’s gratitude was evident not just for Petty’s words that night but for the opportunity to shape the future of NASCAR alongside him through their work at Legacy Motor Club. Johnson’s seventh championship came amid heavy high drama at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2016. It seemed all but impossible for Johnson to secure the title, entering the final laps of the race. “Fifteen laps before I won the race and the championship, I was in sixth place and wasn’t going to win,” Johnson admitted.

But NASCAR is a sport where fortunes can change in an instant. With just 10 laps to go, a massive wreck sent Carl Edwards spinning into the wall and brought out a red flag. Suddenly, Johnson’s chances were alive again. On the final restart, Johnson made a daring move to take the lead, forever cementing his place in NASCAR history. “I did my best work when I only gave 100%, and I’ve spent a long part of my career trying to understand what that is,” Johnson reflected.

As the checkered flag waved, Johnson joined the exclusive seven-time champions club. It was a moment Dale Earnhardt Jr. recognized as monumental, even as it tied Johnson with his legendary father. “I thought people were starting to come around to liking Jimmie,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “Now others are realizing how great he is. I can tell you this: if Jimmie had raced against Dad, Dad wouldn’t have won seven championships; and if Dad had raced against Jimmie, he wouldn’t have won seven championships.”

Looking Ahead with Legacy Motor Club

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At the Legacy Motor Club meeting, Jimmie Johnson turned his focus to the future, thanking team members for their dedication and outlining his vision for the organization. “So first of all, I just want to thank everyone for their contributions,” Johnson began. “We’re building something. It’s been a journey, it’s still going to be a journey, but I promise you, we have great things right ahead of us.”

Legacy Motor Club finished the 2024 season with mixed results but showed signs of promise. Erik Jones, one of the team’s primary drivers, managed several top-10 finishes, while rookie Noah Gragson showed flashes of brilliance in his first full-time Cup season. Johnson acknowledged the challenges but remained optimistic about their path forward.

“We’re going to continue to grow, evolve, and have the success that, you know, we’re so critically judged by our audience,” Johnson said. “The opportunity we have with our name and to look at the Petty family as that foundational piece, the legacy they’ve created, it’s embodied here.” The team has ambitious plans for 2025, including strengthening its technical partnerships and expanding its presence as not just a racing team but a lifestyle brand. Johnson’s dual role as co-owner and part-time driver ensures that his fingerprints will remain all over the team’s progress.

Johnson’s respect for the sport’s past continues to shine, as he looks to the future. The 2016 championship may be years behind him, but its significance remains a guiding light for everything he hopes to achieve with his team. And as Petty’s words continue to resonate, Johnson knows he’s carrying forward a legacy built on greatness.

In the end, the debate about the GOAT may never be settled. But as long as legends like Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt Sr., and Jimmie Johnson continue to inspire each other—and the next generation—NASCAR’s future remains bright.