Jimmie Johnson is one of the most successful NASCAR drivers in the history of the sport and his 7 titles are a testament to that. Winning a single Cup Series championship is a thing of great joy and prestige and having 7 of them only shows the driver’s caliber. Although Jimmie Johnson has retired from racing and has taken up the co-ownership role in Legacy Motor Club, it won’t be anytime soon that fans forget his achievements.

Jimmie Johnson’s career was full of wins and he is the only man to have a tie when it comes to the number of titles he has with Dale Earnhardt Sr. However, there is one fact that isn’t spoken about as much and that is about Johnson’s chance of clinching more titles and winning the tiebreaker. Jimmie Johnson had a chance to win an 8th or even his 9th title during his run in NASCAR; however, that did not work out and he recently revealed how he feels about leaving things on a tie.

How much did Jimmie Johnson want an 8th title?

It’s obvious that Jimmie Johnson would have been happy to be the sole record owner of having the most Cup Series titles. Having 8 titles would have made him the only man to ever achieve this feat. However, despite having a shot at winning back in 2004 and 2005, he missed out on his title and he finally came forward to discuss how that feels. In an interview with FOX Sports, many NASCAR drivers were asked questions about their careers. Most of the questions were directed towards championship winners and Jimmie Johnson was asked, “Do you relish the championship(s) you won or stew over the ones that got away?”

When it comes to his championship legacy, Jimmie Johnson doesn’t dwell on the ones that slipped through his fingers. He’s more focused on the journey that led him to seven titles as he explained, “I can’t stew over the ones that got away.” Sure, there were near misses in 2004 and 2005 that stung, but Johnson firmly believes in the path he’s taken. “I’ve been so blessed with seven championships,” he adds, making it clear that he isn’t one to cry over spilled milk.

For Johnson, it’s all about looking forward, and with the record of 7 titles in a sport where it’s difficult to even win one, he doesn’t have much to complain about. He recognizes the potential in those lost seasons, but wouldn’t change a thing. “Things are as they need to be,” he says, embracing the idea that every experience, whether triumphant or disappointing, has shaped who he is today.

Jimmie Johnson reveals his secret to winning 7 championships

In Jimmie Johnson’s words, the secret sauce to his championship-winning seasons was all about teamwork. Racing isn’t a solo act, and for Johnson, winning a championship meant leaning heavily on his crew over those long, grueling stretches of the season. It’s a series of events, really: the relentless work in the pits, strategizing with the crew, and having cars that perform impeccably.

If there was a turning point he could point to, it’d be his key performances at tracks like Martinsville and Phoenix. Johnson recalls how critical wins at Martinsville were, especially during close battles with competitors like Denny Hamlin. Given his history at the track, Johnson’s advice will be gold for drivers. Jimmie Johnson tallied a total of 9 wins at the track during his day in the 38 races he was a part of at Martinsville.

One specific win at Martinsville, during the Round of 8, catapulted him straight into the final four and opened up his shot at that seventh championship. Martinsville, a stronghold for Hendrick Motorsports, became a place where he finally mastered the right technique, especially after watching Tony Stewart, which sparked a huge turning point in his career. With the right team backing him up, Johnson didn’t waste time to show his caliber and deliver results.

With that said, what do you think of Jimmie Johnson’s highly accomplished career in the 22 years that he spent racing in the Cup Series? Share your favorite Johnson moment in the comments below.