Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, stands on the grid with Crew Chief Chad Knaus during pre-race ceremonies for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Photo – Jerry Markland/Getty Images
All Jimmie Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus wanted was another shot, and when Dylan Lupton hit the turn two wall on lap 252 to bring out the fifth caution of Sunday’s Ford EcoBoost 400, Knaus clenched his fist in anticipation.
At the time, Johnson was running sixth, trailing the three Championship 4 drivers—Joey Logano, Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards—he needed to beat to claim a record-tying seventh title. But the caution with 15 laps left in the scheduled distance breathed life into the No. 48 team.
Three restarts later, Johnson passed Kyle Larson for the victory and earned his seventh championship, tying NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the series record. Continue reading →
Jimmie Johnson joined NASCAR’s most exclusive club on Sunday, winning the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway to claim his seventh NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, putting the driver of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet on par with icons Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.
“You’re a good man, you’re a great champion, and now you’re a seven-time champion,” crew chief Chad Knaus radioed to Johnson, who grabbed the lead from Kyle Larson through turns one and two during the first and only attempt at a two-lap overtime.
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, celebrates with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship trophy in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson wins a record-tying 7th NASCAR title. Photo – Sarah Crabill/Getty Images
The celebration in Victory Lane at Homestead Miami Speedway continued well after the checkered flag fell in the Ford EcoBoost 400 on Sunday night when Jimmie Johnson won his seventh Sprint Cup title, making history and joining the élite group of NASCAR drivers Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt to ever reach that level in their careers.
Dale Earnhardt Jr, along with many other drivers met Johnson in Victory Lane to give their congratulations, while Earnhardt also tweeted the following sentiment…
Happy for @JimmieJohnson. I wish dad was here to shake his hand. Woulda been awesome to see that.
Richard Petty also shard his statement from Richard Petty Motorsports to celebrate the moment…
“Records are a mark and they set something for everyone to shoot at. Jimmie and his team have done that tonight. They set a goal to get where they are and circumstances and fate made it a reality. They did what they needed to do and now they are at seven championships. Congratulations to him and his team.
“Jimmie is a great champion and this is really good for our sport.”
So while Johnson and his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team enjoy their accomplishment, it leaves all to wonder, what’s next? The answer is simple. The next logical step for Jimmie Johnson is to now chase an unprecedented eighth Sprint Cup title.
HOMESTEAD, FL – NOVEMBER 18: (L-R) Team owners Rick Hendrick, Joe Gibbs and Roger Penske attend a press conference during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 18, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images
Don’t be surprised if you see a Tony Stewart bobble head as a hood ornament on Jimmie Johnson’s car in Sunday’s Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
OK, maybe that’s an exaggeration.
But Johnson’s team owner, Rick Hendrick, confessed on Friday that’s he’s been known to make subtle additions to his cars to confound other owners, all of whom are watching closely.
“In the garage area, you watch everybody,” Hendrick said. “It’s the damndest place I’ve ever seen about snooping.
“Sometimes you’ll put stuff on a car just to watch them take a picture of it, and it really doesn’t do anything. But it’s just fun to watch them run around and take a picture of it.”
