“People Felt That Jimmie [Johnson] Wasn’t Eligible” – NASCAR Insider Reveals Wild Reality of Latest HoF Induction

As the 2023 season slowly inches toward completion, NASCAR recently announced the inductees to its 2024 Hall of Fame class. Electing Donnie Allison for the Pioneer class, NASCAR then elected seven-time Cup Series champion, Jimmie Johnson from the Modern-era ballot along with his former crew chief Chad Knaus.

Although pleased with the announcement, veteran journalist Bob Pockrass was left confused by a technical detail about the Hall of Fame induction.

Bob Pockrass reveals his thoughts on the HoF ballot

Winning the Cup Series championship title consecutively for five seasons from 2006 to 2010, Jimmie Johnson’s induction into NASCAR’s Hall of Fame was long overdue. To add to Johnson’s elation, his former Hendrick Motorsports crew chief, Chad Knaus, was inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside him. To say Jimmie Johnson’s HOF induction was well-deserved would be an understatement. But not everyone thought that the Legacy Motor Club team owner was deserving of the honor.

Arriving at NASCAR’s Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina, Bob Pockrass was left scratching his head at the reality of the HOF induction ballot. In an Instagram post put out by NASCAR on Fox, Bob Pocrass said, “Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus, and Donnie Allison were named to the 2024 Hall of Fame class. Not surprised on any of them but what was a big surprise is that Jimmie Johnson was not unanimous. A seven-time Cup champion wasn’t on all the ballots. He was on 53 of 57 ballots, 93%.

“Why wasn’t he on the others I can’t say definitively. The ballots are not public. I can say I voted for him and Chad. I actually voted for A.J. Foyt on the pioneer ballot. But my guess is some people felt that Jimmie wasn’t champion eligible for  this year, supposed to be retired for a third year and he has raced a couple of times this year.”

The Fox Sports reporter further added, “But the committee in the past has put Jeff Gordon on the ballot despite him having raced, Matt Kenseth on the ballot despite him having raced. So it wasn’t a surprise he was on the ballot and that’s the nominating committee’s decision. Today the panel met and I felt like no matter what you thought about whether he should be on the ballot or not, he was on the ballot. And, I don’t see how you can leave a seven-time Cup champion off. But obviously, some people did.”

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With Bob Pockrass confused at how Jimmie Johnson’s HOF induction wasn’t a unanimous decision, fans on Instagram had divided opinions regarding the HOF induction ballots.

The induction of Jimmie Johnson into the NASCAR Hall of Fame leaves fans divided

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For years there has been a difference of opinion regarding actively competing drivers being inducted into NASCAR’s Hall of Fame. While some believe the prestigious honor should be reserved for drivers who have stopped competing in the sport, others opine that ‘deserving’ drivers should be the ones entering the Hall of Fame. Jimmie Johnson’s case too is no different. Although retiring from full-time racing post the 2020 season, Johnson does compete part-time in the Cup Series for his Legacy Motor Club team. 

This has led to a divide in the fans’ opinions, with one fan commenting, “I’ll say it again, he is still, still an active driver… How in the world is he on the ballot? Don’t get me wrong he is probably one of the most deserving people ever in any sport ever… But he is active.”

Another fan believed any driver who has won a Cup Series championship should be a HOF inductee, writing, “If you win a nascar championship you should automatically be put into the hall of fame. Period.” Here are some more comments from the fans.

“I believe Jimmy Johnson should be in the hall, but I think it should be made for inactive drivers not drivers that are still competing. It’s just my opinion.”

“Whoever did not vote for him not get to vote anymore”

“He’s still racing so he shouldn’t be yet!”

“If the King wasn’t unanimous, or Dale Sr wasn’t unanimous, why would JJ get it? They were left off and they were 7-time champions as well”

“What moron didn’t vote him in? Whoever it was should lose all voting ability immediately.”

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What are your thoughts on Bob Pockrass’ Hall of Fame ballot comments?