“Everyone that hated Jeff Gordon then hated me”: Jimmie Johnson pulls back the curtain on how that ‘pressure’ fueled his success

Jimmie Johnson this week opened up about being "hated" as he was "hand-picked" by Jeff Gordon to join Hendrick Motorsports in the early 2000s. Moreover, the NASCAR Hall of Famer Johnson discussed how many doubted him while starting a full-time season with Rick Hendrick and Co.

Before starting full-time with HMS in 2002, piloting the No. 48 Chevy, Johnson competed for Herzog Motorsports in the Xfinity Series and managed only one win and three top-five finishes.

"So when we came into the Cup Series, I had a chip on my shoulder for all that I had: two years, and a year and a half of people asking, 'Why?' and 'He's not ready and he's not capable,'" Jimmie Johnson said. [24:13]

After bagging a full-time ride with the Charlotte, North Carolina-based organization, it wasn't a joy ride for Johnson as being picked by the four-time Cup Series champion became both a blessing and a curse for him. Gordan, who is now the vice chairman of HMS, rose to success at the peak of Dale Earnhardt's prime which didn't gel well with the strong fan following of Earnhardt Sr.

As a result, this pressure followed Jimmie Johnson's initial professional racing days with the Rick Hendrick outfit. Speaking with the hosts of the High Performance podcast, the 49-year-old recalled the time when people doubted him and booed him after he transitioned to the Cup Series with the Chevy roster:

"Then one other thing that was always very helpful for us because that pressure worked well for us is Jeff Gordon handpicked me and everyone that hated Jeff Gordon then hated me.

I would step out onto the stage for intros and wave and only my parents were clapping like nobody knew me and then I walk out on stage and I get booed as bad as Jeff Gordon does because Jeff picked me and I'm driving for Hendrick Motorsports. So that also fueled us in a different way and made it fun"

Johnson went on to become a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion amassing 83 Cup wins across over two decades in his career. He announced his full-time retirement in 2020.

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"Changed my life personally and professionally": Jimmie Johnson shared a heartwarming video for Rick Hendrick after announcing departure

After a storied career in the Cup Series with Hendrick Motorsports, Jimmie Johnson parted ways with the winningest organization at the end of the 2020 season.

Soon after, the HMS YouTube channel released a video of Johnson showing gratitude towards Jeff Gordon and Rick Hendrick. The El Cajon, California native said:

"When I sat down with Rick and understood his process in choosing me to drive the new car that was coming to Hendrick Motorsports, I didn’t realize all that went into it and how he knew about me for so long."

"He’s changed my life, there’s no way around it and he’s helped me be a better person, a better man, a better father. All the charitable things he’s enlightened me on and supported me on and encouraged me to do. And really, he’s just been somebody so special to me, to [Johnson's wife] Shannie, to my kids. You know, honestly just changed my life personally and professionally," Jimmie Johnson added.

Johnson now serves as the part-owner of Legacy Motor Club and drives the No. 84 Toyota part-time in the Cup Series.