“The pride I have in this result and the pride I have in this company and all we’re trying to achieve and the journey we’re on, I’m so satisfied. So happy right now”, said an emotional Jimmie Johnson after he secured the third position at the Daytona 500. But the journey wasn’t easy, especially after he became a team owner. It’s a whole different tire game. 

The last few years have been tough for Jimmie Johnson and even after being a seven-time Cup Series champion, Johnson couldn’t mark his presence on the tracks. Hence, Johnson opens up on how he struggled as a team owner to make ends meet after coming off from a banner like Hendrick Motorsports. 

Jimmie Johnson reflects on the Hendrick Motorsports culture

Jimmie Johnson’s legendary NASCAR career was shaped by his enduring partnership with crew chief Chad Knaus and team owner Rick Hendrick. Over 17 seasons together, Johnson and Knaus formed one of the most dominant driver-crew chief duos in NASCAR history. The team secured over 80 victories and seven Cup Series championships. The relationship started when, in 2002, Hendrick Motorsports, one of the top-tier NASCAR Cup Series teams, took Johnson under their wing. During this time, Johnson realized how much effort the team put into resources. While the ownership was with Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon, crew chiefs like Chad Knaus had a considerable say. 

Looking back at his Hendrick days, he said, “ Yeah, you know the team that I drove for was really led by the crew chiefs. Chad Knaus and above Chad there were other department heads that really helped to carry the weight and my focus was to create the energy in the locker room.  And that’s what I feel like I am really doing a nice job with… That was a really fun world that I grew into.” During his time with Hendrick Motorsports, Johnson made 686 starts and amassed 83 career wins. However, now that he has embarked on the role of a team owner, things look different. 

Recently, the Legacy Motor Club announced that Knighthead Capital Management had acquired a minority stake in the organization. This ensures that Johnson is the team’s majority owner and significantly increases his responsibilities as well. Speaking of the same, he said, “But now as a team owner… now I gotta worry about why, I gotta worry about PNL. Back to the Hendrick days, we had all the resources we could ever dream of. Now I am in a situation where we don’t have all the resources we could ever dream of, where our focus is as an organization and how we help other departments… competition comes first right now.”

Jimmie Johnson spent his entire NASCAR career as a driver with Hendrick Motorsports, one of the most successful and well-resourced teams in the racing game. With state-of-the-art equipment, top-tier engineers, and a wealth of sponsorship backing, Johnson never had to worry about the availability of resources. His focus was solely on driving and winning. Elite mentality one could say. However, his transition from a driver to a team owner at Legacy Motor Club has presented a new set of challenges. 

Unlike Hendrick Motorsports, which has long been a powerhouse, Legacy Motor Club still strives to establish itself as a competitive force in NASCAR. The team has struggled consistently to claim wins, and managing resources has become a significant challenge for Johnson in his new role. While Johnson’s gaining traction at Daytona might change things for the future, settling himself as an owner remains a challenge. 

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Johnson reflects on Byron’s success

While Jimmie Johnson might have been able to solidify his position in the top 3, William Byron has achieved the Daytona 500 trophy for the second time in a row. Byron ensured he could reap the complete advantage of a last-minute wreck and emerge victorious. The moment brought great joy not only for the driver but even for Johnson, who witnessed Byron from his childhood days. 

Ecstatic on his journey so far, an emotional Jimmie Johnson said, “Excited to see that. I’ve known William for a long time. He would trick or treat at my house when he was maybe five, six years old and come through with his little pillow sack and I sign up for him.”

He further added, “I remember one time he said, ‘I‘m going to be your teammate someday.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, sure kid.’ And to see the success he’s had and two of these big trophies he’s made.”

Byron did grow up to be Jimmie Johnson’s teammate, and the two shared the same shed from 2018 to 2020. However, in 2020, Johnson announced that he would retire from full-time racing. This is precisely when his journey as a team owner was conceptualized.