
via Getty
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – JANUARY 29: Jimmie Johnson driver of the #48 Ally Cadillac Racing Cadillac DPi, looks on before the start of the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway on January 29, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

via Getty
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – JANUARY 29: Jimmie Johnson driver of the #48 Ally Cadillac Racing Cadillac DPi, looks on before the start of the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway on January 29, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Last weekend was the first IndyCar race of the season at St Petersburg. Unfortunately, Jimmie Johnson did not enjoy a good day in the office, finishing 21st, a lap down. However, prior to the race, he got a chance to hang out with NFL royalty. To be precise, Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott turned up to watch the race.
Naturally, many Cowboys and Johnson fans were ecstatic; the two have been icons of their respective sports. One fan responded, that this was a collaboration that they needed to see, obviously referring to the IndyCar-NFL crossover. Another one said, “Aww My Two favorite! Go Cowboys Zeke and My Champ Jimmie Johnson! 48 FOREVER! WHOO HOO! LOVE THIS Picture!”
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A few other fans were delighted to see their ‘two favorite athletes in one room’. All in all, it was a collaboration that they did not know that they needed. Admittedly, not all responses were positive, but most of the negative comments were aimed at the Cowboys. Jimmie Johnson didn’t face much fan criticism, as they all acknowledged his 7 NASCAR Cup titles. Elliott though was not spared, as some called him overrated.
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How did Jimmie Johnson perform in the race?
As mentioned before, he ended up 23rd and a lap down on everyone else. He was only ahead of Tatiana Calderon, Dalton Kellett, and David Malukas. After a year in the sport, it is not exactly a glowing report of his skills. To make matters worse, all three of his teammates, Alex Palou, Scott Dixon, and Marcus Ericsson were in the Top 10.

USA Today via Reuters
Dec 13, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs down the sidelines as he is forced out by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard (94) during the third quarter at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Palou finished 2nd behind race winner Scott McLaughlin. Meanwhile, Dixon and Ericsson were 8th and 9th on the race track. Fortunately for the veteran driver, the season is long and there is plenty of time to redeem himself.
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READ MORE: Not Age: Jimmie Johnson Reveals Key Obstacle to His F1 Dream Despite McLaren’s Heavy Backing
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