The Jimmie Johnson Era

As Jimmie Johnson closes in on his thirdtotal, the first time anybody had reached double
consecutive Sprint Cup championship, it is time fordigits since Gordon in 1998. He was the
all fans, and that includes haters of the 48, tounambiguous favorite to win the Sprint Cup title
concede that we are smack dab in the middle ofas the 2008 season commenced.
the Jimmie Johnson era.After the season began, Johnson seemed to
Some fans will argue that Johnson’sstruggle at times, especially the intermediate
success is due to superlative equipment suppliedtracks such as Las Vegas and Atlanta. Meanwhile,
by Hendrick Motorsports. However, heyoung hotshots, Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards
consistently outperforms all of his teammates,dominated the first twenty-six races, as they
including the four-time champion and future Hall ofcombined for 14 wins. While Johnson was running
Famer Jeff Gordon. Others will bemoan hiswell, he was an afterthought. That all changed
achievements due to his personality, or lackonce the Chase for the Championship began.
thereof. To the majority of fans, especiallyJohnson pieced together a remarkable run of
traditional fans, he is considered vanilla, or bland.consistency, with his worst finish being 15th at
However, you cannot argue with success. JohnsonTexas. He won races at Kansas, Martinsville, and
entered NASCAR's highest level of competition inPhoenix, and owns nearly an insurmountable lead
2002 as Jeff Gordon’sof 141 points over Edwards heading into the
protégé. Prior to his rookieseason finale at Homestead. In fact, a 36th place
campaign, he was an also-ran journeyman in thefinish would be the clincher.
Nationwide (Busch) Series. Gordon, Rick Hendrick,For fans of Johnson, as well as fans who
and the powers that be at Lowe’sappreciate greatness, this is an exciting time in
Improvement believed in the 26-year-old aspiringNASCAR. This is comparable to the New York
NASCAR star.Yankees in the 1950’s, Green Bay Packers
His rookie season was a pleasant surprise, as hein the 1960’s, or even the Chicago Bulls of
won three races and finished fifth in the finalthe 1990’s. However, Johnson has far
championship standings. He failed to win themore detractors than supporters, so his run at
Rookie of the Year honors, as that accolade wenthistory does not magnetize much fanfare.
to Johnson’s rookie counterpart, RyanFans, we have read about the Lee Petty era.
Newman. In 2003, Newman again outshinedSome of us were fortunate enough to witness
Johnson, as Newman won eight races comparedthe Richard Petty dominance, and even the Cale
to Johnson’s three. Newman won multipleYarborough three-peat. We are all aware of the
Driver of the Year awards. Johnson finishedDarrell Waltrip and Junior Johnson dynasty in the
second in the Sprint Cup standings to Mattearly 1980’s, which was a precursor to the
Kenseth, however.decade-long Dale Earnhardt ascendancy that
In 2004, Johnson won eight races, and finishedincluded six of his seven championships.Along
eight points behind the eventual champion Kurtcame Jeff Gordon, a young interloper from
Busch. Johnson was emerging as one ofCalifornia who seized the torch from the great
NASCAR's elite drivers. He failed to capture theEarnhardt, and proceeded to score four
championship again in 2005, as it was Tonychampionships in seven years. Tony Stewart
Stewart’s year to shine. In 2006, Johnsonenjoyed some bright spots, with titles in 2002 and
and the 48 crew finally earned the opportunity to2005, but he is not the driver people will point to
sit at the head table, as they were crownedwhen they discuss the driver of the decade. That
champions. Johnson won five races and edged outdriver is Jimmie Johnson.
Matt Kenseth by 56 points for the ultimate prize.When the NASCAR preview publications are
In 2007, Johnson won four of the final ten races,released in January of 2009, do not be surprised if
all consecutively, and handily beat Jeff Gordon forJimmie Johnson is projected to capture a fourth
the championship by 77 points. He won ten racesconsecutive Sprint Cup championship.