Jimmie Johnson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jimmie Johnson
Johnson at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2024
Born	Jimmie Kenneth Johnson (1975-09-17) September 17, 1975 (age 49) El Cajon, California, U.S.
Achievements	2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2016 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Tied with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the most NASCAR Cup Series Championships (7) 2003, 2006, 2012, 2013 NASCAR All-Star Race Winner 2005, 2019 Busch Clash Winner 2006, 2013 Daytona 500 Winner 2003, 2004, 2005, 2014 Coca-Cola 600 Winner 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012 Brickyard 400 Winner 2004, 2012 Southern 500 Winner 11 wins at Dover International Speedway (including 2 sweeps in 2002 and 2009) 9 wins at Martinsville Speedway (including a sweep in 2007, and 2006–2008, 2012, 2016 Chase race wins) 8 wins at Charlotte Motor Speedway (including sweeps in 2004 and 2005, and Chase race wins in 2004–2005, 2009, and 2016) 7 wins at Texas Motor Speedway (including a sweep in 2015, and 5 Chase race wins) 2010 Prelude to the Dream Winner Six off-road racing championships Most consecutive NASCAR Cup Series Championships (5)
Awards	1998 ASA National Tour Rookie of the Year 2009 Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013 Driver of the Year 2020 Bill France Award of Excellence recipient 2022 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Named one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers (2023) NASCAR Hall of Fame (2024)
NASCAR Cup Series career
698 races run over 22 years
Car no., team	No. 84 (Legacy Motor Club)
2024 position	37th
Best finish	1st (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2016)
First race	2001 UAW-GM Quality 500 (Charlotte)
Last race	2024 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race (Phoenix)
First win	2002 NAPA Auto Parts 500 (Fontana)
Last win	2017 AAA 400 Drive for Autism (Dover)
Wins Top tens Poles 83 374 36
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
93 races run over 11 years
2013 position	111th
Best finish	8th (2001)
First race	1998 Kroger 200 (IRP)
Last race	2013 Dollar General 200 (Phoenix)
First win	2001 Sam's Club Presents the Hills Bros. Coffee 300 (Chicago)
Wins Top tens Poles 1 24 2
NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series career
1 race run over 1 year
2008 position	104th
Best finish	104th (2008)
First race	2008 O'Reilly 200 (Bristol)
Wins Top tens Poles 0 0 0
IndyCar Series career
29 races run over 2 years
Best finish	21st (2022)
First race	2021 Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama (Birmingham)
Last race	2022 Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey (Laguna Seca)
Wins Podiums Poles 0 0 0
Signature
Statistics current as of November 10, 2024.

Jimmie Kenneth Johnson (born September 17, 1975) is an American professional auto racing driver. He races part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for his team, Legacy Motor Club. Johnson is famous for winning seven Cup championships. The first five of these wins were in a row! This ties him with racing legends Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the most championships ever. Many people think he is one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history.

Johnson was born in El Cajon, California. He started racing motorcycles when he was just four years old. After high school, he raced in off-road series. He won "Rookie of the Year" in several of these series. In 1998, Johnson began racing stock cars. He then moved to the national American Speed Association (ASA) series. There, he won another "Rookie of the Year" title. In 2000, he switched to the NASCAR Busch Series (now called the Xfinity Series).

A famous NASCAR driver, Jeff Gordon, noticed Johnson's talent. Gordon convinced team owner Rick Hendrick to sign Johnson for the Winston Cup Series in 2002. Gordon even owned part of Johnson's car. Johnson quickly became a top driver. He finished fifth in points in his first full season. Then he was second in 2003 and 2004. Johnson won his first Cup Series championship in 2006. He then won four more in a row! This made him the only driver in NASCAR history to win five championships in a row.

Johnson won his sixth championship in 2013. In 2016, he won his seventh championship. This tied him with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the most Cup Series championships ever. Johnson also won the famous Daytona 500 race twice, in 2006 and 2013. From 2002 to 2017, Johnson earned 83 race wins. He also had 7 championships and many top finishes. Later, from 2021 to 2022, Johnson raced in the IndyCar Series. He has also raced in sports car racing.

Jimmie Johnson's Racing Journey

Starting Out in Racing

Off-Road Adventures

Jimmie Johnson started racing motorcycles at age four in 1980. Three years later, he won a championship. He then moved to the Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group (MTEG) Stadium Racing Series. There, he won many more awards. In 1996, Johnson began driving for Herzog Motorsports in off-road trucks. By 1997, he was racing in SODA's Class 8. These were powerful two-wheel-drive trucks.

Johnson had a memorable moment in the 1995 Baja 1000 race. He led for over 900 miles. But he fell asleep and crashed his truck, named Butch. Luckily, he was okay. During his time in off-road series, he won over 25 races. He also had 100 top-three finishes and six championships. He earned "Rookie of the Year" honors in all three leagues.

From Ovals to NASCAR

In 1997, Johnson started racing on asphalt ovals. He raced in the American Speed Association (ASA) series. Driving for Herzog Motorsports, he won the ASA "Rookie of the Year" in 1998. The next year, he won two races and finished third overall.

Johnson made his NASCAR Busch Series (now NASCAR Xfinity Series) debut in 1998. He raced part-time before going full-time in 2000. At Watkins Glen International, he had a big crash when his brakes failed. He swerved to avoid another car and crashed into barriers at over 150 MPH. He climbed out safely and was very happy to be alive. He finished tenth in points that season.

In 2001, Johnson won his first Busch Series race at Chicagoland Speedway. He finished eighth in the points. During this time, he met Jeff Gordon. Gordon helped Johnson get a chance to race in the Winston Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports. Johnson formally joined Hendrick in 2002. He drove the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet.

NASCAR Cup Series Highlights

Early Years: 2002–2005

Johnson started racing full-time in the Winston Cup Series in 2002. He earned his first pole position for the 2002 Daytona 500. This made him only the third rookie to do so. In his 13th race, Johnson won his first career race at Auto Club Speedway. He became the first rookie to lead the points and win twice at the same track. He won three races in his rookie year. He finished fifth in the final points standings.

In 2003, Johnson won three more races. He also won the All-Star race for the first time. He finished second in the championship, just behind Matt Kenseth.

Johnson qualifying at Auto Club Speedway in 2005.

In 2004, Johnson had a slow start. But he quickly won four races in the middle of the season. He won the Coca-Cola 600 and swept both races at Pocono. Later that year, his team owner Rick Hendrick lost family members in a plane crash. Johnson won the race that day. He finished second in the championship with eight wins.

In 2005, Johnson won four races. He won at Las Vegas, Lowe's Motor Speedway, and Dover International Speedway. He won the Coca-Cola 600 by a very close margin. He finished fifth in points after a tire problem in the last race.

Championship Streak: 2006–2010

2006: First Championship

In 2006, Johnson started the season by winning the Daytona 500. He then won two more races early in the season. He also won at Indianapolis and Martinsville. He became the only modern driver to win at least three races in each of his first five seasons. He had some bad luck early in the Chase for the Championship. But he rallied with five straight top-two finishes. This helped him win his first championship title. He also won the "Driver of the Year" Award.

2007: Back-to-Back Champion

Johnson continued his winning ways in 2007. He won 10 races, including sweeping both races at Richmond, Atlanta, and Martinsville. He won his second championship in a row. He was named "Driver of the Year" again. Johnson also started a special exercise program. This helped him get stronger and healthier for racing.

2008: Three in a Row

Jimmie Johnson racing in the 2008 Daytona 500

In 2008, Johnson became the second driver to win three NASCAR Cup Series championships in a row. He won seven races that season. He also had a career-high of six pole positions. He was named "Driver of the Year" and won an ESPY for Best Driver.

2009: Four in a Row

Johnson made history in 2009. He won his fourth championship in a row! No other driver had done this before. He won seven races and qualified for the Chase every year since 2004. He won another ESPY and his third "Driver of the Year" award.

2010: Five-Time Champion

In 2010, Johnson won his fifth championship in a row. This was an amazing achievement. He won six races that year. He became the 12th driver to win 50+ NASCAR races. His wins included his first road course win at Sonoma. He also won a charity race on a dirt oval. Johnson was named "Driver of the Year" for the fourth time.

2011–2017: More Wins and a Seventh Title

In 2011, Johnson had a tougher season. He won only two races. One win was at Talladega Superspeedway. He won by a tiny 0.002 seconds, the closest finish in Talladega history! He finished sixth in the points that year. This was the first time since 2005 that someone else won the championship.

In 2012, Johnson won his first race of the season at Darlington Raceway. This was also Rick Hendrick's 200th Cup Series win. Johnson won his fourth race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This tied him with Jeff Gordon for the most wins there. He won five races in total. He finished third in the championship.

Johnson pits his car in 2012

2013: Sixth Championship

Johnson racing during the 2013 STP Gas Booster 500

Johnson during practice for the 2013 NRA 500

Johnson started 2013 by winning his second Daytona 500. This was his first Daytona 500 win with his crew chief, Chad Knaus. He won his record fourth All-Star race. He also won his third race of the season at Pocono. Johnson won his fourth race of the year at Daytona. He became the first driver since 1982 to win both Daytona races in one season. Johnson won six races in 2013. He secured his sixth championship by finishing ninth in the final race.

2014: A Challenging Year

Johnson racing during the 2014 Toyota/Save Mart 350

The 2014 season was tough for Johnson. He didn't win in the first 11 races. But he then won the Coca-Cola 600. He also won at Dover and Michigan. He had some bad luck with crashes and engine problems. Johnson made the Chase but was eliminated early. He finished 11th in points, his lowest finish since 2002.

2015: Back to Winning Ways

Johnson leading the 2015 Daytona 500.

Johnson started 2015 with a win in the Budweiser Duel. He then won at Atlanta. He won at Kansas, his third win there and of the season. He also won at Dover, his 10th win at that track. This gave him 74 career wins. He finished 10th in the final standings. With Jeff Gordon's retirement, Johnson became the active wins leader.

Johnson during 2015 Toyota/Save Mart 350 qualifying

2016: The Seventh Championship

Johnson after winning the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship

Johnson won his first race of 2016 at Atlanta. This tied him with Dale Earnhardt for 76 career wins. He won his second race at Auto Club Speedway. Johnson had some bad luck with crashes during the summer. But he made the Chase for the Championship. He won at Charlotte, his eighth win there. This moved him into the "Round of 8". He then won at Martinsville, securing his spot in the Championship 4.

Johnson won his seventh championship by winning the final race at Homestead. He started at the back of the field due to an inspection issue. But he drove through the field. On a late restart, a big crash happened, but Johnson avoided it. He passed Kyle Larson on the final restart to win the race and his seventh championship. This tied him with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the most championships ever.

2017: Final NASCAR Wins

Johnson before winning his final race, the 2017 AAA 400 Drive for Autism

Johnson started 2017 as the defending champion. He had a slow start but then won back-to-back races at Texas and Bristol. This was his 14th and final time winning two races in a row. Johnson won his third race of the season at Dover. This was his 11th win at Dover, a record for that track. It was also his 83rd career victory, tying him with Cale Yarborough. This would be Johnson's last NASCAR Cup Series win.

The rest of the season was tough for Johnson. He had brake failures and crashes. Despite this, his earlier wins helped him qualify for the playoffs. He made it to the "Round of 8". But in the elimination race at Phoenix, he blew a tire and crashed. This ended his hopes for an eighth championship. Johnson finished 10th in the final standings.

2018–2020: Later Years and Retirement

Johnson's 2018 car at Richmond Raceway

Johnson struggled in 2018. He had crashes in his early races. He made the playoffs but was eliminated in the first round. He finished 14th in points, his worst full-time season finish. This was his first season without a win.

In March 2018, Lowe's announced they would no longer sponsor Johnson's car. Ally Financial became the new sponsor in 2019. Johnson and his long-time crew chief, Chad Knaus, also parted ways. They had worked together for 17 years, the longest partnership in NASCAR history.

Johnson racing during the 2019 Toyota/Save Mart 350

The 2019 season started well for Johnson. He won the 2019 Advance Auto Parts Clash. He also earned his first pole position since 2016 at Texas. But he missed the playoffs for the first time in his career. This was due to a crash at the Brickyard 400. He finished 18th in points, going winless for a second straight season.

Johnson's 2020 car at Daytona International Speedway

On November 20, 2019, Johnson announced that 2020 would be his last full-time season. He started his final Daytona 500 in sixth place. But he was involved in a big crash and finished 35th. He had some good runs, including a fifth-place finish at Las Vegas. At his home track, Auto Club Speedway, his family waved the green flag. He finished seventh.

Johnson had some bad luck in 2020. He crashed while leading at Darlington. He was disqualified after finishing second in the Coca-Cola 600. In July, he tested positive for the coronavirus. This made him miss a race, ending his streak of 663 consecutive starts. He was cleared to return after testing negative.

In the final race before the playoffs, Johnson was involved in a big crash at Daytona. He missed the playoffs by just six points. In his final race at Phoenix, he finished fifth. He congratulated his teammate Chase Elliott on winning the championship. Johnson ended his full-time career with ten top-ten finishes in 2020.

2023: Return as Co-Owner and Part-Time Driver

Johnson in the No. 84 at Daytona International Speedway in 2023

On November 4, 2022, Johnson bought a part of Petty GMS Motorsports. He also announced he would return to the Cup Series part-time in 2023. He started by trying to make the 2023 Daytona 500. On January 11, 2023, the team changed its name to Legacy Motor Club. Johnson was announced to be driving the No. 84 car. He made the Daytona 500 field. He finished 31st after a crash. He also raced at COTA and the Coca-Cola 600.

IndyCar Series Racing

Johnson racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2021

In 2020, Johnson tested an IndyCar Series car with Chip Ganassi Racing. He said driving an IndyCar was a "childhood dream." On September 9, 2020, Johnson announced he would join Chip Ganassi Racing part-time in 2021 and 2022. He would race on road and street courses. He initially didn't want to race on ovals due to safety worries. But after watching his teammate and driving the cars, he agreed to test on an oval.

Johnson struggled in IndyCar during 2021. He often ran at the back of the field. He also had spins and accidents.

Johnson during the 2022 Sonsio Grand Prix at Road America

On December 15, 2021, Johnson announced he would race the full 2022 IndyCar schedule. In his first oval race, he finished a career-best sixth. Johnson made his Indianapolis 500 debut in 2022. He led two laps and was named "Rookie of the Year" for the race. He also got his first IndyCar top-five finish at Iowa Speedway. On September 26, 2022, Johnson announced he would step back from full-time racing.

Other Racing Adventures

Johnson driving a Fiat Grande Punto S2000 Abarth at the 2007 Race of Champions at Wembley Stadium.

Johnson first raced in the Race of Champions in Europe in 2002. His team, Team USA, won the teams' championship. He also raced in Grand-Am events like the 24 Hours of Daytona. He finished second in that race three times in his career.

In 2018, Johnson took part in a special event. He swapped cars with two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso. They compared their race cars at the Bahrain International Circuit.

About Jimmie Johnson

Johnson (center) with his wife Chandra and President Barack Obama in 2011

Jimmie Johnson was born on September 17, 1975, in El Cajon, California. His parents are Catherine and Gary Johnson. He has two younger brothers, Jarit and Jessie, who also raced off-road. Johnson went to Granite Hills High School. He was a water polo player, diver, and swimmer. The number 48 is retired from all sports teams at his high school.

Johnson lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is married to Chandra Janway. They have two daughters. Johnson is also a triathlete. He often takes part in triathlons and long-distance running. In 2019, he ran the Boston Marathon.

Johnson was good friends with fellow NASCAR driver Blaise Alexander. After Alexander's death, Johnson added Alexander's initials to his car. He also added the tail number of a Hendrick plane that crashed in 2004.

The Jimmie Johnson Foundation

Jimmie and his wife, Chandra, started The Jimmie Johnson Foundation in 2006. This foundation helps children, families, and communities in need. In 2007, Johnson opened a bowling alley for campers at a special camp. The foundation supports many charities. These include Habitat for Humanity and Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Every year, the foundation holds a golf tournament. This event raises money for K-12 public education. It has raised over $8 million for projects like technology and playgrounds. The foundation also helps with disaster relief. In 2014, Johnson joined the Ban Bossy campaign. This campaign encourages leadership in young girls.

Jimmie Johnson's Legacy in Racing

Jimmie Johnson is seen as one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. Other drivers and teammates look up to him. They praise him for his leadership and helpfulness.

Awards and Honors

• In 2000, People magazine called Johnson one of their "Men in the Fast Lane."
• Johnson won the "Driver of the Year" Award five times (2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013).
• In 2009, he was the first racing driver to win the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year Award.
• Forbes.com ranked Johnson as the "Most Influential Athlete" in 2011 and 2012.
• In 2018, Johnson received the Byrnsie Award. This award is named after a famous NASCAR broadcaster.

Records and Milestones

When Johnson retired, his 83 career wins made him the winningest active NASCAR driver. He is sixth on the all-time Cup Series winners list. He is tied for first with Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Richard Petty for the most NASCAR Cup Series championships, with seven. He also holds the record for the most consecutive championships, with five.

Johnson is the all-time winningest Cup Series driver at these tracks:

• Auto Club Speedway (6 wins)
• Charlotte Motor Speedway (8 wins)
• Dover International Speedway (11 wins)
• Kansas Speedway (3 wins; tied with Jeff Gordon and Kevin Harvick)
• Las Vegas Motor Speedway (4 wins)
• Texas Motor Speedway (7 wins)

Johnson won a Cup Series race at almost every track on the 2020 schedule. He won at Chicagoland Speedway in the Busch Series. But he never won a Cup Series race there. He also didn't win Cup races at Kentucky Speedway, Watkins Glen International, The Roval at Charlotte, or the Daytona Road Course.

Until 2019, Johnson was the only driver to qualify for the playoffs every year since they started in 2004. He holds the record for the most consecutive and total playoff appearances, with 15.

Soccer Connection

On January 11, 2022, Johnson announced Charlotte FC's first-ever MLS draft pick. This was the first overall pick of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft.

Motorsports career results

See also

In Spanish: Jimmie Johnson para niños

• List of Daytona 500 pole position winners
• List of Daytona 500 winners