Kyle Petty Undermines the King’s 7 Championships Picking “The Most Underrated” Championship Run

Drivers winning a NASCAR Cup Series Championship have already earned a lifetime achievement. But, ever thought of the all-time highest? It is tied between Richard ‘King’ Petty, Dale Earnhardt Sr., and Jimmie Johnson with 7 Championships each! While it is hardly debatable who among the three is the ‘Greatest Driver of All-Time,’ King’s son, Kyle Petty himself has a vision slightly varying from the world of NASCAR and its fans. He is a proud son but a more practical man, picking what he thinks is a more interesting show of perseverance and hard work.

Jimmie Johnson and Richard Petty have been closely associated after Johnson came on board with Petty’s race team in 2022. But the two clashed in some ways – from changing the team name to holding rights as the true patriarch of the team. Despite these issues, Kyle Petty still admires Johnson. But, why was the name change so important in the very first place?

Petty places Jimmie Johnson on a pedestal

The Petty name has been around the NASCAR garage since 1949, as ‘Petty Enterprises’ began that year. Until 2022, the family name was included in the Cup Series team’s name. But for how long do you hold on to the past? The pathway for a historic team like this should be as simple as honoring the past and looking forward to the future! and, that was the main reason behind it. Jimmie Johnson, as the co-owner, renamed the team beginning in 2023 – Legacy Motor Club. The name was perfect- ‘Legacy’ honored the Petty Family’s contribution to the sport, and ‘Motor Club’ is a throwback to the car clubs of the past. Despite the initial issues, Kyle Petty later understood the vision and confided in him. But, this recent interview, he turned the tables, showing that it is more than admiration he holds for Johnson.

In a recent PRN Live video, Kyle Petty initially talked about his father’s indomitable success. He narrated about Richard Petty, “I grew up with Richard Petty while he was winning all of his championships. And it was tough. It’s tough to win championships. I mean, so many great drivers as we go back in time won lots of races and never won championships…never won Daytona. They just couldn’t get over that hump. So to win 7, no matter how you win 7 is amazing.” However, Jimmie Johnson’s achievements in NASCAR are jaw-dropping, to say the least.

Of the seven championships he owns, the former Hendrick Motorsports driver won five in a row between 2006 and 2010. Jimmie Johnson is the only driver to have achieved that, and Kyle Petty believes he does not get enough recognition for it. “I’ve said this a million times on a million different occasions – Jimmie Johnson’s 5 in a row is the most underrated record in all of sports. It gets very little attention. We talk about Tiger Woods winning all these majors. We talk about Michael Jordan and LeBron James. You talk about everything that Richard Petty…Dale Earnhardt Sr. have done. 5 in a row? Nobody’s done 5 in a row.”

Kyle Petty just recollected a time that has long passed by. However, Jimmie Johnson’s re-entry into NASCAR is seeing a sudden resurgence in 2025.

Is Superman regaining his powers?

When Jimmie Johnson was in his prime, he breathed fire. His 83 Cup Series victories were at 20 different racetracks. They included crown jewel events like two Daytona 500s, four Brickyard 400s, four Coca-Cola 600s, and so many more. Johnson left full-time racing in 2020. After two years of IndyCar racing, he came back – this time as an owner and a part-time driver. In 2024, however, Johnson performed miserably in the Next-Gen car and finished 37th in the championship standings. But with the turn of a new year comes new hope.

The same can be said for the No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota team. At the season-opening Daytona 500, Jimmie Johnson surged from 15th place with one lap remaining to finish third at the overtime checkered flag. John Hunter Nemechek logged a career-best 5th-place finish while Erik Jones washed up 12th. Johnson was ecstatic at LMC’s rise after this race: “This feels incredible. I have emotions I didn’t expect to have. I’ve never been in this position as an owner, and it really opens up a different set of emotions. 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.”

Clearly, Jimmie Johnson was patient and clocking in efforts silently. Those efforts seem to be paying off slowly but steadily. As the year proceeds, let us see if Superman can harness his championship potential again.