« back to Jimmie Johnson's Not What You Expected
For the fourth consecutive year Jimmie Johnson finished in the top five in the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup. The finish also marked the second time in as many years that Johnson and his Lowe's team were in contention to win the championship going into the final race of the season. His tenure in the Nextel Cup Series also includes finishes of fifth in his inaugural year and second in his sophomore season.
Throughout his racing career Johnson used hard work and determination to propel him toward success. This humble but engaging California native began his racing career on two wheels.
With the support of his family, Johnson started on 50cc motorcycles at the age of five. His father, Gary, worked for a tire company and his mother, Cathy, drove a school bus. With Jimmie and younger brothers Jarit and Jessie in tow, the family spent most of their weekends camping and doing what they loved - racing. During these weekends, it wasn't unusual to see Gary preparing the tracks for the kids to race and Cathy running the concession stand.
Johnson was successful on motorcycles at an early age. By the time he was eight, he won the 60cc class championship despite blowing out his knee with several races remaining in the season.
From motorcycles, Johnson graduated to the Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group (MTEG) Stadium Racing Series where he won more awards. A 1993 meeting arranged by his mentor, supercross champion Rick Johnson (no relation), proved fortuitous for the eager driver.
While racing at the Los Angeles Coliseum, Rick Johnson introduced his young protégé to the Executive Director of GM Racing, Herb Fishel. The protýgý lived up to his billing, impressing Fishel with his driving ability and business acumen.
Fishel kept his eye on Johnson that year. He later walked into an off-road racing team meeting and threw a picture of Johnson on the table informing the team that Johnson was the man they needed to drive their car.
Johnson seized the opportunity, spending the next few years driving buggies and trucks in off-road stadium and desert races. Johnson also improved his ability to connect with fans and potential sponsors by reporting for ESPN in the Short Course Off-Road Drivers Association Series (SODA).
The work paid off in another way as Johnson met his future car owners Stan and Randy Herzog while working in the series. The eager driver crafted a proposal and took it to his friend, Fishel. Fishel gave the owners and their ambitious driver a shot and in 1997 Johnson climbed behind the wheel of an American Speed Association car and got his first taste of pavement racing and never looked back.
His victories in the ASA Series paved the way for his move to NASCAR (initially in the Busch Series) where his winning ways continue.
The name and likeness of Jimmie Johnson, and other trademarks and copyrights, are used with the permission of Jimmie Johnson Racing II, Inc.
-
Get XM in Your Car
XM is available as original equipment in your new car. Find out about all of our automotive patners.
Learn More »