How is Jimmie Johnson viewed by other drivers? Perspectives from the NASCAR community

Jimmie Johnson is arguably one of NASCAR's greatest drivers of all time. The California native scored seven Cup Series championships in his career, tied for the most with Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt, and earned 83 career Cup Series wins.

The former driver of the #48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet is viewed as one of the all-time greats. So, what do other drivers think of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2024 inductee? Let's take a look.

Jeff Gordon

Some of the best praise the 49-year-old has ever received is from one of his greatest mentors. Longtime teammate and co-owner of Johnson's car, Jeff Gordon said in a January interview that the former and his crew chief, Chad Knaus, were the best he ever competed against. In an interview by Peter Stratta, the retired four-time Cup Series champion said:

"Jimmie and I were just connected at all the right points and times and I was impressed with him on and off the racetrack."

The 93-time Cup Series winner was amazed by Johnson's five consecutive championships, dating from 2006-2010. Gordon never thought such a feat would be accomplished in the sport, but Johnson and the #48 team proved everybody wrong. The 53-year-old added:

"I know they're the best I ever raced against because I know what equipment they were in. I know what the resources were. ... I knew all those things were also there for me, and I couldn't do or any of the other Hendrick teams couldn't do what they were doing at that period of time."

Kyle Larson

Jimmie Johnson has been compared to one of NASCAR's top stars today. Kyle Larson, 29-time Cup Series winner and the 2021 champion, in an article by Hendrick Motorsports, said that he feels similar to Johnson in how competitive they are.

“I’m fortunate that I got to race against him and had some great battles with him,” Larson said. “He was a tough competitor. He always kind of lived on the edge of disaster – a little bit like me in a way. He probably made fewer mistakes than I did when he was in his prime.”

Outside of the race car, Larson said Johnson is admired greatly among his peers and is a great person to be around, adding:

"I can’t think of anyone else who is as respected as Jimmie. There’s a lot of young drivers like myself who paid a lot of attention to the way he raced and how he was off the racetrack."

Larson moved to Hendrick Motorsports in 2021 to pilot the #5 car, the year after Johnson stepped away from full-time competition in the Cup Series. That year, Larson dominated the series by winning 10 races and his first championship. The California native is still in the hunt for the 2024 title.

Tony Stewart

Three-time Cup Series champion Tony Stewart is another NASCAR figure who has spoken highly of Jimmie Johnson. In an article by racing insider Kelly Crandall, the 49-time Cup Series race winner is quoted saying that anytime he and Johnson had a conversation, he reminded the latter that he wanted to be like him. Stewart added:

“He’s just somebody that I really think a lot of, and it’s not only for what he’s done inside the race but outside the race car as well,” says Stewart. “He’s just a genuinely good person and somebody that I have a lot of admiration and respect for — and somebody that I feel is a true friend.”

The two combined for 10 Cup Series championships and over 100 victories. Stewart retired from full-time Cup Series competition in 2016, the same year Johnson claimed his record-tying seventh championship.