"I took it for granted" - Jimmie Johnson reflects on time with Rick Hendrick shaping his NASCAR leadership

Jimmie Johnson recently touched upon the lessons he learned from Rick Hendrick, the owner of Hendrick Motorsports, as he got involved in NASCAR's business side of things. Johnson is the co-owner of the NASCAR team Legacy Motor Club and is trying to become adept at operating a team, something he learned from Hendrick during his time at HMS.

Johnson raced for Hendrick Motorsports for 19 full-time Cup Series seasons — from 2002 to 2020. During this time, he grabbed 83 Cup Series wins, 36 pole positions, and took 374 top 10s.

He drove the famous Lowe-sponsored #48 Chevrolet and drove the same car till his full-time retirement. Johnson has been racing under part-time obligation ever since for the team he owns, Legacy Motor Club.

As the 49-year-old spent nearly two decades under Rick Hendrick, one of NASCAR's strongest pillars, he noticed and learned how the latter operated a successful team like Hendrick Motorsports. Speaking about his lessons and how he is trying to implement them, Johnson told The Racer channel on YouTube:

"I drove for Mr. Hendrick for 19 full seasons, man I took it for granted. It was awesome. I got on a nice team plane, flew across the country, had a brand new transporter sitting there with a really fast race car out back. So you know I feel like my brand in the last couple of years has had a little less time and attention on it because now I'm trying to learn the business side."

"And Maury (co-owner of Legacy Motor Club) has been extremely helpful in teaching me the business side. We've had a lot of changes which is never fun within our walls but as we continue to evolve and try to move in a direction that we think is important," he added. (29:25-29:58)

Jimmie Johnson paired up with Maury Gallagher to form Legacy Motor Club. After Johnson purchased a stake in the Petty GMS Motorsport, they rebranded the team to LMC in 2022. Besides the NASCAR Cup Series, the team began operating in the Extreme E segment.

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Jimmie Johnson revealed his 2025 plans with Legacy Motor Club

Besides building the Legacy Motor Club, Jimmie Johnson also revealed his aim for the upcoming 2025 Cup Series season. In one of his recent interviews with Jayski, he stated that he will focus on delivering consistent performance besides building the team.

AVONDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 09: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #84 Carvana Toyota - Source: Getty Images

“I’m a result-oriented guy. It’s hard not to have that weigh on you at times," he said. "Picking a goal, having a reason and a purpose for why we’re running a third car is very helpful.”

Legacy Motor Club runs two full-time Cup Series cars, and one part-time — #42 Toyota Camry XSE for John Hunter Nemechek, #43 for Erik Jones, and #84 for Jimmie Johnson (part-time).