Lack of respect for Jimmie Johnson?

[KTMLew01]

He retired. Nobody inside the sport seemed to care much. Popped up in IndyCar. WTF? Plays with that for couple years. Buys into the Petty Team. Then the real shocker...team changes to Yota for next season.

Really don't understand how/why a 7 time champ was IMO given the "don't let the door hit ya" type of response when he retired. Apparently no offer from Hendrick to participate in that team.

Why? I really don't get the huge adoration for Gordon and lack of it for JJ. I swear, most seem to just go MEH when Jimmie is mentioned.

I really don't get it. Guy was REALLY dominant for years. You'd think that would have earned him some respect. Guess not.

 

[KTMLew01]

Really/

 

[Marcingak]

Let's be honest. As impressive as it was, it was really boring watching him win 5 championships in a row. Gordon fans don't like Johnson because Gordon never won a championship again after Johnson entered the sport.

 

[Truex_rox]

Kindly, this is based on what?

 

[aunty dive]

Really don't understand how/why a 7 time champ was IMO given the "don't let the door hit ya" type of response when he retired. Apparently no offer from Hendrick to participate in that team.

I really don't get it. Guy was REALLY dominant for years. You'd think that would have earned him some respect. Guess not.

He’s on his way to France to participate in the Le Mans 24 Hour.

At the invitation of Hendrick Motorsports.

 

[acmerocket]

he wanted to go race different cars, so he did. but i dont understand the switch to the dark side.chevy was still backing him in different cars.

 

[JBone88]

I have plenty of respect for him. One of the best to ever wheel a racecar.

The Toyota deal is overblown. He’s doing what’s best for his race team. Smoke moved his team to Ford. It’s business.

That said. It’s time Jimmie sticks to ownership. He’s beyond washed behind the wheel. The 3rd car experiment has been rough.

 

[FLRacingFan]

he wanted to go race different cars, so he did. but i dont understand the switch to the dark side.chevy was still backing him in different cars.

Business decision.

 

[Speedbowl14]

I think a "business offer" from Hendrick to Gordon is due to a number of factors.

-longest tenured Hendrick driver
-grew with Hendrick from the team being essentially nothing to being the top tier
-Gordon's career followed the growth, peak, and decline of NASCAR, hence I would think Gordon is more in-tune with the importance/value to growing the sport than Jimmie, who was only relevant during the peak and the eventual decline of the sport.
-Gordon has been calling at least some of the shots for a long time at Hendrick. Hiring Johnson most notable. I don't know of Jimmie handpicking a new HMS driver, while we know for certain Gordon has.
-Gordon entered the sport at a time where you had to claw your way up for personal financial security. Hence the long talked about conversations between him and Dale about "faking" a rivalry in the name of selling merchandise to benefit themselves and their teams. When Jimmie started driving the sport was at it's literal peak and if you were running 43rd every week you were still making a TON of money, so why would you bother to learn the ins/outs of the business side of the sport?

 

[sdj]

As far as JJ goes at this years 600, the new IROC sports car, whipped his ass.

 

[MRM]

He wasn't given the option to go back to Hendrick because they weren't interested in fielding a part-time car.

 

[Formerjackman]

He retired. Nobody inside the sport seemed to care much. Popped up in IndyCar. WTF? Plays with that for couple years. Buys into the Petty Team. Then the real shocker...team changes to Yota for next season.

Really don't understand how/why a 7 time champ was IMO given the "don't let the door hit ya" type of response when he retired. Apparently no offer from Hendrick to participate in that team.

Why? I really don't get the huge adoration for Gordon and lack of it for JJ. I swear, most seem to just go MEH when Jimmie is mentioned.

I really don't get it. Guy was REALLY dominant for years. You'd think that would have earned him some respect. Guess not.

Jimmie was given the option of an ownership stake in HMS more than once during his time there, and he was never interested. If Jimmie had tried to leverage an ownership stake in a team as his Cup career was winding down, he might have gotten more support from Rick and or from Chevy, but he disappeared from NASCAR for two years, and everyone kind of moved on. Keep in mind Jeff's ownership stake is now in it's 23rd year, so that's a LOT of history, and he took a chance and signed a lifetime contract to do it, something else Jimmie was unwilling to do.

 

[Ford 222]

-grew with Hendrick from the team being essentially nothing to being the top tier

LOL!! I bet Geoff Bodine, Ricky Rudd, Darrel Waltrip, Kenny Schrader, Cole Trickle, Terry Labonte and Tim Richmond would disagree.

Hardly essentially nothing.

 

[Formerjackman]

LOL!! I bet Geoff Bodine, Ricky Rudd, Darrel Waltrip, Kenny Schrader, Cole Trickle, Terry Labonte and Tim Richmond would disagree.

Hardly essentially nothing.

There were a LOT of lean years in there before Jeff and Ray tuned the place up. 1984 (for a start up team), 1986 and 1989 were pretty sporty. Other than that, the ONLY other noteworthy year was Rudd's runner up finish in 1991, but with hardly any wins. 1995 was when the HMS we know today was really born.

 

[jaqua19]

The in-sport respect for Jimmie Johnson never seemed public. But it seems to be there when drivers talk about him. Denny mentioned it when he was returning, Larson and Chase both called him the GOAT this off season.

It was hard to see through the cooperate shell, but apparently Jimmie was always one of the most liked, most partied with drivers.

During the Dale Jr download when they were talking about marketing Ross, they discussed making an effort to market Jimmie "because all know how he really is behind the scenes" but Jimmie didn't want to.

I don't think there was a lack of respect for Jimmie. He left the sport to do his own thing, and it would be tacky on his part to come in and ask for a piece of HMS.

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[2 Sweet]

There were a LOT of lean years in there before Jeff and Ray tuned the place up. 1984 (for a start up team), 1986 and 1989 were pretty sporty. Other than that, the ONLY other noteworthy year was Rudd's runner up finish in 1991, but with hardly any wins. 1995 was when the HMS we know today was really born.

Yeah, I think a lot of people forget (or weren't around) that HMS wasn't winning much in the early 90's. Roush, RCR, Penske, RYR, and others were having a lot more success. HMS was about the same level as Sabco, Morgan-McClure, and Junior Johnson as far as running up front and winning races.

 

[Kiante]

He’s on his way to France to participate in the Le Mans 24 Hour.

At the invitation of Hendrick Motorsports.

I've been told he's been pretty quick in it, too.

Adjusting from stock cars then going to open wheel and prototypes is a challenge. Jimmie had flashes of brilliance in them both and especially at his age learning new skills, while also being more than competent is really good to see.

Like not everyone is going to get it, but JJ gets my respect because he went out and did it and did it well. He's a legend and will always be seen as such because of his work ethic and desire to get better. Jimmie works hard and it may not always show, but the man is a computer when he goes after something.

 

[jaqua19]

I've been told he's been pretty quick in it, too.

Adjusting from stock cars then going to open wheel and prototypes is a challenge. Jimmie had flashes of brilliance in them both and especially at his age learning new skills, while also being more than competent is really good to see.

Like not everyone is going to get it, but JJ gets my respect because he went out and did it and did it well. He's a legend and will always be seen as such because of his work ethic and desire to get better. Jimmie works hard and it may not always show, but the man is a computer when he goes after something.

I think that's why he was so successful in cup. He just wanted it more and worked harder.

Mark Martin even attested to it. He said something along the lines of "I always prided myself in working harder than everyone. But he worked harder than I ever did"

He even went on to say that Chad and HMS got a lot of credit, but after working with him for the year, "I don't understand why people don't just accept that he was better than us"

I've said this before, but what really separated Jimmie from his contemparies, and even from drivers like Gordon and KB, he just wanted it more than anyone else.

Jimmie Johnson as a *competitor* was cut from the same cloth as Tom Brady.

It always blew my mind to hear how excited he'd get over the radio for any ordinary win.

It's like each race win was a championship win.

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[StandOnIt]

Worst case scenario for Johnson at the 600. Nascar has changed tremendously since Johnson left. The car doesn't drive at all like it did and Johnson found that out. It snaps loose because of the thinner tires and you can't yaw out the rear to help him turn because there isn't anything to yaw to. Johnson had no practice, no qualifying and it was his first time to race on a high speed 1.5 track. He's driving junk besides and he isn't a spring chicken anymore. Legacy is a train wreck and has performed worse than they were doing last year and they were bad last year.

 

[Allenbaba]

Everything Jimmie has done since retiring has been because he chose to do them. It wasn't because he had limited options, or lacked other opportunity. If he had wanted to keep hanging around NASCAR like a lingering fart from the beginning, he'd still be very much in the everyday conversation. He chose to do other things instead. As for what people "inside the sport" think, I don't know that I've ever come across another driver as widely respected...but even more importantly...as widely "liked" as Jimmie. Seriously. I honestly can't remember ever hearing a bad word about the guy, and I have heard A LOT of bad words about A LOT of other people. He seems to be about as clean as they come. (FWIW I certainly don't know Jimmie well at all personally, but have had about a dozen or so interactions with him for work reasons, and each one was great. There is a very pleasant energy around him.)

 

[jaqua19]

Everything Jimmie has done since retiring has been because he chose to do them. It wasn't because he had limited options, or lacked other opportunity. If he had wanted to keep hanging around NASCAR like a lingering fart from the beginning, he'd still be very much in the everyday conversation. He chose to do other things instead. As for what people "inside the sport" think, I don't know that I've ever come across another driver as widely respected...but even more importantly...as widely "liked" as Jimmie. Seriously. I honestly can't remember ever hearing a bad word about the guy, and I have heard A LOT of bad words about A LOT of other people. He seems to be about as clean as they come. (FWIW I certainly don't know Jimmie well at all personally, but have had about a dozen or so interactions with him for work reasons, and each one was great. There is a very pleasant energy around him.)

Thanks for sharing this. That's the impression I get as a completely casual outside viewer.

Maybe I'm wrong, but he always struck me as a likable California frat bro.

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[DanicaFreak]

Everything Jimmie has done since retiring has been because he chose to do them. It wasn't because he had limited options, or lacked other opportunity. If he had wanted to keep hanging around NASCAR like a lingering fart from the beginning, he'd still be very much in the everyday conversation. He chose to do other things instead. As for what people "inside the sport" think, I don't know that I've ever come across another driver as widely respected...but even more importantly...as widely "liked" as Jimmie. Seriously. I honestly can't remember ever hearing a bad word about the guy, and I have heard A LOT of bad words about A LOT of other people. He seems to be about as clean as they come. (FWIW I certainly don't know Jimmie well at all personally, but have had about a dozen or so interactions with him for work reasons, and each one was great. There is a very pleasant energy around him.)

was he vanilla?

 

[FLRacingFan]

Neapolitan.

 

[Greg]

.... If he had wanted to keep hanging around NASCAR like a lingering fart from the beginning, he'd still be very much in the everyday conversation.....

...If he had wanted to keep hanging around like a lingering fart.... I love the analogy and hope to use it in some form in the future.

 

[KTMLew01]

...If he had wanted to keep hanging around like a lingering fart.... I love the analogy and hope to use it in some form in the future.

This is exactly what I refer to as a lack of respect. He's earned the right to do whatever he wants. Let people live their own lives folks. It's not about you.

 

[Greg]

This is exactly what I refer to as a lack of respect. He's earned the right to do whatever he wants. Let people live their own lives folks. It's not about you.

You are misreading me. I was complimenting @Allenbaba for the analogy.
FTR his post was also highly respectful of JJ.

As for myself I think he is one of the GOATs that deserves the highest respect. That also includes his right to pursue ownership in accordance to his own plans and I believe that is what is happening or the current conditions.

 

[Revman]

He’s on his way to France to participate in the Le Mans 24 Hour.

At the invitation of Hendrick Motorsports.

That's **** is gonna stop next year. He will be loved.

 

[Revman]

Everything Jimmie has done since retiring has been because he chose to do them. It wasn't because he had limited options, or lacked other opportunity. If he had wanted to keep hanging around NASCAR like a lingering fart from the beginning, he'd still be very much in the everyday conversation. He chose to do other things instead. As for what people "inside the sport" think, I don't know that I've ever come across another driver as widely respected...but even more importantly...as widely "liked" as Jimmie. Seriously. I honestly can't remember ever hearing a bad word about the guy, and I have heard A LOT of bad words about A LOT of other people. He seems to be about as clean as they come. (FWIW I certainly don't know Jimmie well at all personally, but have had about a dozen or so interactions with him for work reasons, and each one was great. There is a very pleasant energy around him.)

Can't wait to cheer for him. He is so TRD.

 

[Speedbowl14]

Also the talent Jimmie had. More talent/car control than Kyle Busch or Larson or Stewart. Jimmie also had the ability to push beyond 100%. When he had to he could notch it up to 110%, being in perfect zen with the track, his skills, and the car, and could find that extra tenth of a second the final 50 laps. I could qualify as a semi-pro athlete now in downhill skiing, and this ability to push over 100% without pushing yourself because it's more mental than physical... it's just an amazing feeling and terribly hard to explain to anyone that never got higher than collegiate sports. But it's absolutely real.

 

[sdj]

Also the talent Jimmie had. More talent/car control than Kyle Busch or Larson or Stewart. Jimmie also had the ability to push beyond 100%. When he had to he could notch it up to 110%, being in perfect zen with the track, his skills, and the car, and could find that extra tenth of a second the final 50 laps. I could qualify as a semi-pro athlete now in downhill skiing, and this ability to push over 100% without pushing yourself because it's more mental than physical... it's just an amazing feeling and terribly hard to explain to anyone that never got higher than collegiate sports. But it's absolutely real.

You forgot to mention he could also, walk on water.

 

[Allenbaba]

was he vanilla?

No. He's surprisingly funny and engaging. Like I said, there's a good energy around him. Very pleasant. I was a little surprised based on his "public" persona (which can be a bit boring) and which is mostly what I had been exposed to.

 

[DanicaFreak]

No. He's surprisingly funny and engaging. Like I said, there's a good energy around him. Very pleasant. I was a little surprised based on his "public" persona (which can be a bit boring) and which is mostly what I had been exposed to.

thanks sooo much for this. I still remember JJ doing a 360 and not hitting the wall cause he stayed in the gas. He's an icon.

 

[KTMLew01]

No. He's surprisingly funny and engaging. Like I said, there's a good energy around him. Very pleasant. I was a little surprised based on his "public" persona (which can be a bit boring) and which is mostly what I had been exposed to.

This is exactly what I'm referring to, IMO, the public never had the proper amount of respect for him. He is THE GOAT far as I'm concerned. RP was the MOPAR factory team which had HUGE advantage. At least 1/2 his wins were against Joe Blow that built their car at their one stall gas station. Not crapping on the KIng. W/O the King's continued support of NASCAR, good chance it wouldn't exist today in this form.

Just pains me when young people crap all over somebody who's jockstrap they couldn't carry. Been a few posts in this thread like that. If Mark Martin got back in a car as a sub for couple weeks, i'd watch every lap. I went to bed and slept thru last 1/3 of the 600. Don't care about ANY of the current drivers. None.

 

[Allenbaba]

This is exactly what I'm referring to, IMO, the public never had the proper amount of respect for him. He is THE GOAT far as I'm concerned. RP was the MOPAR factory team which had HUGE advantage. At least 1/2 his wins were against Joe Blow that built their car at their one stall gas station. Not crapping on the KIng. W/O the King's continued support of NASCAR, good chance it wouldn't exist today in this form.

Just pains me when young people crap all over somebody who's jockstrap they couldn't carry. Been a few posts in this thread like that. If Mark Martin got back in a car as a sub for couple weeks, i'd watch every lap. I went to bed and slept thru last 1/3 of the 600. Don't care about ANY of the current drivers. None.

I honestly don't really know what you're talking about. I don't think I've ever met someone who didn't respect him. But if you want people to worship him...I'm sorry, but public persona, character, "antics," personality, being more public than private...all that stuff plays into it. Danica said it best during the Indy broadcast when she mentioned that her passport said "entertainer." That's what sports are - entertainment. Jimmie chose a pretty private life. His choice. And there's nothing wrong with that. However, he'll never receive the kind of passion that more outspoken, public figures receive (good or bad). Jimmie, to the average fan, was a pretty boring dude. He just was. You can bitch about it all you want, but that was Jimmie's choice. And I'm fairly confident he doesn't regret not being more colorful. A guy quietly doing his thing in dominating fashion was fun to watch...but there's not much else to really "miss" with him gone.

Having said all that, I still believe your OP isn't accurate. No one gave him the "don't let the door hit you on the way out" treatment. Also, and I say this respectfully because I don't know you, but your statements are being a bit hypocritical. On one hand you're complaining about the lack of respect for Jimmie. On the other, you're saying you don't care about ANY of the current drivers, which include Kyle Busch, one of the greatest talents the sport has ever seen, and Kyle Larson, arguably the best "pure race car driver" in the history of racing vehicles. But by your definition of respect, you don't give them much of it. There are probably at least a dozen future hall of famers racing each week these days. That's 1/3 of a 36 car field. My advice would be to stay awake and check them out!

 

[aunty dive]

Just pains me when young people crap all over somebody who's jockstrap they couldn't carry. Been a few posts in this thread like that.

Nonsense. Point us to them.

Or to one of them.

 

[aunty dive]

I honestly don't really know what you're talking about.

Neither does anyone else.

 

[Allenbaba]

Neither does anyone else.

Yeah I wasn't sure if this was real or I just took some troll bait. In hindsight I feel a bit dumb for even responding. I'll do better to ignore tomorrow's "Why wasn't Dale Jr popular with fans???" thread.

 

[racingfan7]

Yeah I wasn't sure if this was real or I just took some troll bait. In hindsight I feel a bit dumb for even responding. I'll do better to ignore tomorrow's "Why wasn't Dale Jr popular with fans???" thread.

lol. Jimmie doesn’t get enough respect.

 

[Greg]

Yeah I wasn't sure if this was real or I just took some troll bait. In hindsight I feel a bit dumb for even responding. I'll do better to ignore tomorrow's "Why wasn't Dale Jr popular with fans???" thread.

I have always believed that a thread addressing a lack of disrespect for Brooke Sealey was the greatest need. When she left Jeff all of his future championships went bye bye too.

 

[racingfan7]

Ridiculous.