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Kevin Harvick once claimed Jimmie Johnson was the most underrated champion in NASCAR history. Harvick believes Johnson’s accomplishments were taken for granted despite winning several races in different formats.
During Jimmie Johnson’s time in the NASCAR Cup Series, the driver won seven championships, tying the all-time record with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr. He also won 83 Cup races across different formats from 2002 to 2017.
Ahead of Johnson's 600th career start at Pocono Raceway in 2018, Kevin Harvick praised the seven-time champ, saying:
“I don’t think you’ll really realize everything that he’s actually accomplished and I’ve said this a number of times that Jimmy Johnson is the most underrated champion you’ve ever seen walk through this garage.”
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Harvick added:
“For whatever reason, I mean, it’s just you just kind of take it for granted, and I think as a competitor, you realize what he’s accomplished and how hard it is to win those races and championships, for the most part, and you know in different formats. So you know, they’ve done a great job for a number of years and you know they’re having a tough time at it right now.”
The 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champ concluded by commending the driver and his team, Hendrick Motorsports, for continuously battling for wins amid a poor season.
“They’re motivated because they want to end how they started and so, he’s been a great champion and great for the sport.”
The 2016 Ganders Outdoors 400 from Pocono Raceway saw Jimmie Johnson finishing 17th after starting 35th on the field. The race marked the driver’s 34th career start on the 2.5-mile track, where he won three times (two in 2004, one in 2013).
In 2020, Johnson announced his retirement from full-time competition. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2024 along with Donnie Allison and Chad Knaus.
Today, the California native is the co-owner of Legacy Motor Club. He also drives for the Statesville-based team part-time in the No. 84 Toyota Camry.
“I’m just a guy from California”- When Jimmie Johnson joined the prestigious seven Cup Championship club with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr.
During the 2016 NASCAR Awards Banquet, Jimmie Johnson delivered a speech after winning his seventh championship title. While only three drivers had accomplished the feat in NASCAR history, Johnson remained humble and said he would never be like Richard Petty or Dale Earnhardt Sr.
The former No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy driver said:
“I might have won as many championships as Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, but I will never be the King or the Intimidator. I’m just a guy from California who always wanted a race.”
Jimmie Johnson won his seventh title after winning the Homestead-Miami race in 2016, beating championship-contending drivers Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, and Carl Edwards.
Johnson was the third NASCAR Cup Series driver to win seven championships along with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr. Jeff Gordon, Johnson’s former HMS teammate, trailed them on the all-time list with four titles.
