“There’s a much different approach”: Jimmie Johnson shares his struggles in adapting to the Next Gen era

Jimmie Johnson went candid on how the NextGen cars handled differently than the ones he drove back in the day. The Legacy Motor Club owner-driver is currently on a part-time schedule driving the No. 84 Toyota Camry in select races throughout the season.

In eight races so far, Johnson finished 28th or worse. At Las Vegas, on Sunday, he delivered a P28 performance. Ironically, the seven-time Cup Series champion has been one of the strongest contenders at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

From 2005 to 2010, Johnson amassed four victories at the 1.5-mile, tri-oval intermediate speedway. Furthermore, he has three top 5s and three top 10s there. What was different in Las Vegas this time?

"We already make speed in this car for a long long time. Easy in, first one back to the gas – that mentality worked with the old-generation car. It’s not the case with this car," Jimmie Johnson explained as he spoke with Frontstretch during a post-race interview. "It’s a much different approach with corner entry, with a whole lot of throttle controlling the car in. Slowly getting the hang of that. It’s pretty amazing how sensitive your right foot is to control that." (0:38)

Jimmie Johnson will start his engine in the Championship race at Phoenix Raceway on November 10. Speaking of which, the El Cajon native said,

"Excited to run in Phoenix in a couple of more weeks." (0:26)

Johnson confirmed his return behind the wheel of the No. 84 in 2025. However, his schedule is yet to be decided.

Hendrick Motorsports boss picks Jimmie Johnson as one of his all-time best drivers

Rick Hendrick (left) and Jimmie Johnson (right) celebrating a win at Dover International Speedway in June 2017 (Source: Imagn)

Jimmie Johnson drove the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports car for the entirety of his career. His stint with the Chevy team, which began in September 2001 with merely a three-race deal, ended up translating into 83 dominant wins and seven championship titles.

Johnson was one of the best drivers at Hendrick Motorsports. In a recent episode of the Sports Legends of the Carolinas podcast, team owner Rick Hendrick spoke highly of the 49-year-old, semi-retired driver.

"Jimmie was the guy that could pick the car apart," Hendrick said. "If you listen to drivers today, they’ll say (very detailed instructions about what the car needs). ... Nobody ever did that until Jimmie Johnson came along."

"And so he would start running over 200 in a corner, loose and out of control, telling Chad (Knaus, Johnson’s crew chief) what he thought the car did, what needed, and what it was doing. His attention to detail and his talent...he was unbelievable," Hendrick added.

Jimmie Johnson was recently inducted into the prestigious NASCAR Hall of Fame along with his longtime crew chief, Chad Knaus. He was named one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers last year.