Jimmie Johnson almost drove entirely different – Sports News
Jimmie Johnson practically did not drive the No. 48 (Image: Getty)
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson very practically didn’t drive the No. 48 for Hendrick Motorsports had it not been for superstition. Johnson, 50, gained all seven of his NASCAR Cup Series championships whereas driving for Hendrick Motorsports throughout a 19-season stint on the group, having landed a full-time seat in 2002.
He solely completed exterior of the top-five within the NASCAR Cup Series standings as soon as in his first 10 full-time seasons, and gained 5 consecutive championships in that time, all whereas driving the No. 48. Johnson gained a additional two titles in 2013 and 2016 to take his complete to seven, tying the report with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr.
However, it may’ve been all different for Johnson. Superstition noticed him drive the No. 48 and never the No. 23, as Hendrick Motorsport had deliberate. Johnson’s revelation comes after he revealed he’ll retire from NASCAR for good on the finish of the 2026 season.
“I’ve always been a numbers guy, and where it cemented the most… Well, I guess a backup step. Hendrix starting this 14, they don’t have a pre-existing number. They give me a list of numbers that are available at NASCAR and at the time they had like the 24 and 25 car and they thought maybe 23, 4, 5,” Johnson informed Bussin with the Boys.
“MJ [Michael Jordan] vibes, I get the sequential numbering system. But all of my championships came from the number 4 or the number 8. And I saw 48.
Johnson inside the No. 48 after winning his first Cup championship (Image: Getty)
“And then I’m like, ‘Well, hey Jeff [Gordon], you’re 24, 48. I want to be twice as good as you.’ Just like lobbying, what I could.
“And they’re like, ‘Yeah, that works. We’ll do it in the same font, and that place.’ So that was one of the elements coming to life with numbers.”
Johnson’s Cup Series arrival with Hendrick coincided with the tip of teammate and legend Gordon’s title-winning exploits. Prior to 2002, Gordon had gained 4 Cup Series titles. Johnson’s vow to be “twice as good as you” practically got here to fruition, as he completed one shy of doubling Gordon’s championship output.
Still, Johnson positioned Gordon on his four-driver NASCAR Mount Rushmore, alongside himself. Johnson’s legendary standing was additional solidified by being honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
He grew to become the primary racer to put a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “To receive this honor is incredibly humbling,” he mentioned. “As a kid growing up in Southern California, Hollywood always represented a place where dreams became reality. I never imagined my path would lead through racing, much less to something like this.
“I’m grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey — my family, teammates, partners, competitors, fans, and friends. This recognition reflects all of us.”
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