“It’s what you want”: When Jimmie Johnson shared his thoughts on racing against ‘the best in the world’

NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson once spoke out about racing against Formula One legend Michael Schumacher, ahead of their battle in the 2007 Race of Champions at the iconic Wembley Stadium. Schumacher teamed up with former Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel to represent Germany, while Johnson's teammate was four-time Rally America champion Travis Pastrana.

Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion often called "Superman," is competing part-time in the Cup Series, piloting the #84 Toyota for Legacy Motor Club. Over an extraordinary 22-year career, the California native amassed 83 Cup Series wins and one Xfinity Series victory. In 2024, Johnson was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame and in 2023, he was recognized as one of NASCAR's 75 greatest drivers.

On the other hand, mirroring Johnson's achievements, Michael Schumacher is also a seven-time Formula One champion, having won five back-to-back championships, the same as Johnson did in his full-time career. Ahead of the December 16 (2007) Race of Champions at Wembley, Johnson shed light on sharing the track with the Formula One legend. He said (via ESPN):

"It's one hell of a great opportunity to race against the best in the world, and as a driver that's what you're always looking for -- it's what you want. It's a different type of race. We're only going about 30 mph [average], so we'll have to be really technically sound. Hitting your marks will be key."

"Everyone recognizes [Schumacher] as a champion, and after winning my second straight championship in NASCAR, I hope I'm perceived that way. Beating him and helping Team USA win the Nations Cup would be the perfect ending to the best year of my career," he added.

Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel defeated Jimmie Johnson and his teammate Pastrana in the event's quarter-finals, before emerging triumphant after their victory over Finland in the final.

After retiring from full-time racing, Jimmie Johnson competes in select Cup Series events each year for Legacy Motor Club, a team he co-owns with Allegiant Travel Company CEO Maury Gallagher. His most recent appearance was in the 2024 Cup Series Championship race, where he finished in P26.

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Jimmie Johnson makes feelings clear with tribute to Hendrick Motorsports’ emotional 2004 victory

Jimmie Johnson emerged victorious in the 2004 Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 piloting the iconic #48 Chevrolet, marking a historic and emotional win in his and Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR career at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The win acquired relevance as it came after a horrific plane crash on October 24, 2004, that took the lives of 10 people on board, including HMS owner Rick Hendrick's son, Ricky Hendrick.

Recently, Hendrick Motorsports shared the heartfelt victory that changed the mood of the Hendrick Garage following Johnson's win in the Nextel Cup Series race in Hampton, Georgia. Sharing the post by HMS on X, the former driver wrote:

"An unforgettable moment that became part of our legacy. Grateful to have been a part of it."

Since then, Hendrick Motorsports has secured nine Drivers' championships in the Cup Series, one in the Xfinity Series and three in the Craftsman Truck Series, cementing itself as one of the most successful teams in the history of the sport.