“I felt you brother”: When Jimmie Johnson credited Rick Hendrick’s late son Ricky for giving him a 'spiritual' title experience

In 2016, NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson paid tribute to the late Ricky Hendrick, the son of Hendrick Motorsports owner, Rick Hendrick. Ricky lost his life along with nine others in a tragic plane crash in 2004.

Johnson, who secured seven Cup Series titles throughout his career and has been with Hendrick Motorsports for the entirety of his full-time racing career, made a mention to Ricky, who was a race car driver himself, during his speech accepting his seventh Cup Series Championship title in 2016.

Speaking at the awards event, the 49-year-old explained what he felt racing the final laps at the Homestead-Miami Speedway where he finished his final title-winning season:

“To my buddy Ricky Hendrick, I felt you brother. You were there those last few laps, without a doubt. I could honestly say that was the most spiritual experience I've ever had in my life.” [4:38 - 4:48]

While racing full-time in the Cup Series, Johnson achieved a career total of eighty-three race wins, along with 232 Top 5s, and 374 Top 10 finishes over the 19 complete seasons he raced.

All of Jimmie Johnson's achievements have come from driving for Hendrick Motorsports, in their #48 Chevy car. Jimmie Johnson recently had nine race starts driving the #84 car in the 2024 season, with his new team Legacy Motor Club, of which he is also co-owner. At LMC, Johnson works with his fellow seven-time cup series championship winner Richard Petty, who has a role as Club Ambassador.

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Jimmie Johnson paid tribute to Tony Stewart following the latter's retirement

The end of the 2016 season also marked the retirement of NASCAR driver Tony Stewart. Jimmie Johnson, who was giving his acceptance speech, opened by saying farewell and thanks to his fellow driver, acknowledging his contributions to the sport. Stewart has won three Cup Series titles during his eighteen-year career racing full-time in the sport.

Johnson began his speech by extending his gratefulness to the former Stewart-Haas Racing driver, along with passing on some friendly advice:

“To start I just want to say thanks for the fun times Tony, so many have said it tonight in this room, you’ve brought so much personality to our sport, you've done so much for auto racing in general and please don’t grow up. You don’t want to be like me, we want to be more like you” [0:09 - 0:28]

Tony Stewart retired from NASCAR after securing forty-nine wins, and 187 Top 5s as well as 308 Top 10 finishes during his tenure in the Cup Series.

Jimmie Johnson's Legacy Motor Club will be on track next month with drivers John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones in the #42 and #43 cares respectively.