
USA Today via Reuters
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA FireKeepers Casino 400-Qualifying, Jun 10, 2016 Brooklyn, MI, USA Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. left talks with Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson , right, prior to qualifying for the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports, 10.06.2016 16:05:00, 9333817, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Michigan International Speedway, NASCAR, Jimmie Johnson PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xAaronxDosterx 9333817

USA Today via Reuters
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA FireKeepers Casino 400-Qualifying, Jun 10, 2016 Brooklyn, MI, USA Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. left talks with Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson , right, prior to qualifying for the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports, 10.06.2016 16:05:00, 9333817, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Michigan International Speedway, NASCAR, Jimmie Johnson PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xAaronxDosterx 9333817
When Jimmie Johnson announced his comeback to NASCAR in a part-owner, part-driver role, there were many that wondered if that move could potentially hurt his legacy. After all, nobody would want to see a seven-timer get beaten on track by a rookie or someone with less prestige, which is a big possibility. However, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is of a different opinion.
The Hall of Famer recently revealed an anecdote about Johnson from the time he himself was considering retirement and shed some light on the mindset of the seven-timer and what drives him.
Junior recalled, “When I was looking at retirement and considering retirement and what that might look like, me and Jimmie had conversations and he’s like, ‘Man you know what would be great? It’s if we split a season. I don’t want to quit entirely, but man, wouldn’t it be cool if we just had a couple of races that we ran and we split a car?'”
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“I’m like, ‘That sounds awesome, but it’s not realistic. Nobody’s gonna want, Rick (Hendrick) is not gonna want to do that. But I say that in his mind he never really wanted to stop,” he continued.
“In his mind, he just wanted to do this.”

via Imago
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Test Session Jan 24, 2023 Avondale, AZ, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson prepares to climb into his Legacy Motor Club car during testing at Phoenix Raceway. Phoenix Phoenix Raceway AZ USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMarkxJ.xRebilasx 20230124_mjr_su5_002
Dale Earnhardt Jr feels Jimmie Johnson only wants to race
Dale Jr. also described why Jimmie Johnson has been making eyebrow-raising decisions since his first NASCAR retirement, but also why those decisions are ones which aren’t only justified, but one’s people should leave Johnson alone with.
Watch this Story: Dale Earnhardt Jr Set to Make His Annual Return to the Xfinity Series at Bristol
“In his mind, he still loves to drive and wants to race,” Earnhardt Jr. said of Johnson. “He went to INDYCAR because of the challenge but also because of the limited schedule.”
“Now he’s getting that at the Cup level, go get it.”

via Imago
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Jimmie Johnson Announcement Nov 4, 2022 Avondale, Arizona, USA Jimmie Johnson speaks with the media during a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz at Phoenix Raceway. Jimmie Johnson finalized an ownership stake within the Petty GMS organization starting in 2023, and Johnson will also drive in select races for the team starting at the Daytona 500. Avondale Phoenix Raceway Arizona USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xGaryxA.xVasquezx 20221104_gav_sv5_007
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Dale Jr. has no expectations from Johnson as he presses, nothing can taint his legacy
As for those who are concerned about Johnson’s performance in the 2023 season, Dale Jr. separated himself from that crowd. In fact, the JRM co-owner claimed that there’s nothing that can happen in the coming season which would change his opinion of the seven-timer.
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“I don’t have an expectation of where he should or could finish. I don’t think it’s gonna change anything about the way I feel about his legacy if he goes out there and doesn’t have a good time or good runs,” Jr. said. “No way in hell all those championships in a row, I mean, nobody’s gonna do that again”
“Nothing can change the way I feel about Jimmie and his legacy because of how dominant he was in that five-year stretch.”
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. is certainly firm in his opinion about Jimmie Johnson, and interestingly had once looked at Jimmie Johnson when deciding to use a smaller steering wheel. What are your thoughts on Johnson?
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