By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer
The moment for seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson to retire from full-time competition ‘just felt right.’
“I love to have a plan,” Johnson admitted. “I like to think things through, and I did plenty of that. I thought it through the Spring and Summer, knowing that I was going to have to make a decision. In my mind, I felt like I needed to make a decision by the end of the year.
“Nothing really hit me in the gut with the feeling that I wanted to stay or stop at the end of 2020. Then as the year went on and we roll into October, the feeling just became real. It felt good to think about it. It was such a profound moment that I really take it back to the moment in time I wanted to by a ring for her (Chandra Johnson).”
The 44-year-old has chosen to step away on his own volition. Without setting a specific date at first, he is not stepping away with the regrets that others have had. Johnson also has the ability to leave on his own accord.
“It was just that strong in my stomach,” Johnson explained. “Wow, this is what I want to do. I feel very, very good about my decision. It’s just time. I’m so fortunate that it showed up to me in that way.
“I’ve talked to greats like Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin, Jeff (Gordon), Dale (Earnhardt) Jr. Everyone’s had their own journey. Some of those guys set a date and maybe left before their heart wanted to leave. A lot of other athletes, their time is called, and they don’t get to pick their moment. I feel very blessed and fortunate to have this opportunity.”
Johnson set the benchmark at Hendrick Motorsports. The El Cajon, Calif. native earned 83 victories, 227 top-five, and 364 top-10 finishes during his 19-year tenure in the Cup Series. Of Johnson’s 19 seasons, he finished 12 inside the top-five in the final points standings.
With the extensive stats that Johnson has accumulated over the years, the memories he has are almost endless. The driver of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE leads the series, among active drivers, in wins not only overall, but also at Dover International Speedway overall with 11 career wins.
Johnson expressed that it’s too early to know what tracks he will miss:
“I really do enjoy racing at all of them. I think it took me a little while to fall in love with the road courses which is odd with my background, but I really enjoy going there. Dover is always going to have a special place in my heart. It’s so new that I’m not sure what I’m going to miss.
“First blush at it, there’s nothing that I’m eager to get away from. I’m excited to go back and see and race at these places, see my fans. Maybe my last Daytona 500, some of these moments that are going to be out there are going to be very special. My head is much more in that space.”
With one last full season run, Johnson will have one more chance to join an elite group of drivers that have won three or more Daytona 500s. The two-time Daytona 500 winner would join NASCAR Hall of Famers Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough, Dale Jarrett, Jeff Gordon, and Richard Petty.
A win in ‘The Great American Race’ would also tie Hendrick Motorsports with Petty Enterprises at nine total 500 victories.
The final season will also mark the final time that Johnson can win at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, Chicagoland Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, and Watkins Glen International, the only tracks that he is so far winless in an illustrious career.
The past two seasons for Johnson, however, have been subdued. He went winless for the first time in his career in 2018. 2019 marked the first time that Johnson failed to make the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Grid, ending a streak of 15-year streak.