8 takeaways from Jimmie Johnson’s retirement press conference

Jimmie Johnson isn’t done racing just yet and said “all options are open” for his future.

Jimmie Johnson — one of, if not the greatest NASCAR driver ever — is retiring from full-time racing at the end of the 2020 Cup Series season.

The seven-time champion announced his plans for the future on social media Wednesday, effectively commencing a retirement tour as he competes in a 36-race schedule (plus two exhibition events) one last time.

Entering his 19th full-time season, Johnson has 83 career wins in a tie for No. 6 on the all-time list. He’s spent his entire Cup career in the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, and, despite a recent slump in his performance, will have one more opportunity to earn a record-breaking eighth series championship, which would separate him from Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Following Johnson’s announcement, he and team owner Rick Hendrick had a joint press conference Thursday to discuss the decision, the 44-year-old driver’s legacy and his future, along with that of the No. 48 team.

Here are eight things we learned from that press conference.

(It actually starts around the 1:04:00 mark.)

1. Jimmie Johnson realized he wanted to retire in October

Johnson signed a three-year contact extension with Hendrick Motorsports in 2017, so as the second year of that extension began winding down, the speculation about his future grew. In September, Johnson told For The Win: “So I could see another year or two potentially, but it wouldn’t go much further than that.”

But something changed for him not long after, and he compared the realization of wanting to retire, and being certain about it, to proposing to his wife, Chandra.

“Many of you that know me, I like to have a plan, and I like to think things through. I did plenty of that through the spring and summer, just knowing that I’d have to make a decision. In my mind, I felt like I needed to make a decision by the end of the year. And nothing really hit me in the gut with the feeling that I wanted to stay or stop at the end of 2020.

“And then as the year went on, and we roll into October, the feeling just became real. It really did, and it felt good to think about it. It was such a profound moment that I really take it back to the moment in time where I knew I wanted to buy a ring for her [gestures toward Chandra]. It was just that strong in my stomach. I was like, ‘Wow, this is what I want to do.'”

“I feel very, very good about my decision, and it’s time,” he added. “I feel so fortunate that it showed up to me in that way.”

2. Mr. Hendrick didn’t believe Johnson at first

Johnson said he told the team owner of his decision about three weeks ago at Hendrick’s house. Describing their conversation, Johnson said:

“On a funny note, I did mention to him I think twice, maybe three times, that 2020 was going to be my last year, and he never reacted. And then the fourth time he said, ‘I guess you’re serious about this, aren’t you?’”

Hendrick said he was “shocked” when Johnson told him he’s going to retire.

“Every time one of these drivers call me and come to my house, I know that’s not a good situation,” Hendrick joked, after recently losing drivers like Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. to retirement.

Jimmie Johnson and Rick Hendrick (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

3. Johnson said his team’s recent slump didn’t have a huge impact on his decision

For a driver with an incredibly impressive resume, Johnson and the No. 48 team aren’t competing the way they’d like. Johnson’s last win was in June of 2017, and for the first time in his career, he missed the playoffs in 2019.

When asked about his struggles recently playing a role in his decision to retire, Johnson said:

“Truthfully, it had very little implication on me making the decision. … In my heart of hearts, it was not because of the struggles of the last couple of years. Life’s a journey, as we all know. Motor sports is a ruthless sport, and it doesn’t matter who you are. It can eat you up and spit you out the other side. I feel so fortunate that I had just this magical moment for so many years, and five in a row and the seven championships that we had.

“When timing was right and my opportunity was right, I took the most of that opportunity and made stuff happen. And I feel like that’s coming. I feel like 2020 can be that moment for me. And these last two years are just part of that in building up for what could be a really special year.”

4. He consulted several former drivers about deciding to retire

It’s hardly surprising that Johnson spoke to big-name drivers who have already retired to get their thoughts on the subject. After all that, and speaking with his wife, he said, “It just feels right.”

“I’ve talked to greats like Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin, Jeff [Gordon], Dale [Earnhardt] Jr.,” Johnson explained. “And everyone has had their own journey. Some of those guys maybe set a date and left before their heart really wanted to leave, or a lot of other athletes, their time is called and they don’t have that opportunity to pick their moment. And I feel very blessed and fortunate to have this opportunity.”

5. Johnson won’t be a full-time driver, but he’s not done racing

Johnson made it very clear multiple times that he’s not finished racing, but he’s looking for “a better balance in life.” So he’s just stepping away from NASCAR’s brutal nine-month schedule after the 2020 season ends.

“This is not a retirement from driving race cars,” Johnson said. “This is just slowing down from 38 weekends a year, and you certainly know the stress, pressure and grind that it takes.”

He’s expressed an interest in trying out various other forms of racing, including the Chili Bowl. He also swapped cars with Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso last year.

Johnson said he’s “wide open” at this point and interested in exploring all possibilities, including returning to the Cup Series, just not full time.

“I would come back and drive Cup cars for Rick, without a doubt. All options are open, honestly — except IndyCar and fast ovals. I really look forward to what might develop in 12 months from now and see what opportunities might be out there.

“So I wouldn’t mind going and getting dirty again. I know we have a history with off-road racing in the dirt, and I’ll just kind of wait and see. And most importantly, I feel like I need to take a deep breath and just see what comes from there. Put my family first instead of racing first for once, and take it from there.”

6. Other racing series have already reached out to Johnson on social media

But as far as actually making concrete plans goes, he said he hasn’t talked to anyone yet.

“I saw them all pinging me on social media, like, ‘Hey, dibs! Come race here,'” Johnson said. “Even the World of Outlaws sent me a tweet.”

7. Johnson’s most valued win is his first

Johnson’s first career win came in his 13th overall start and the 10th race of his first full-time season in 2002. He won the NAPA Auto Parts 500 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. When asked about his most significant win, he said:

“I go to the first. My dream was to be a Cup driver and to win a race. That was the top for me. So to be able to do that in my 13th start at my home track, that was a very, very special moment.”

8. Why Mr. Hendrick thinks Jimmie Johnson is the “perfect” athlete

(Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports)

Hendrick explained the many ways in which Johnson has elevated the team as a whole and how it operates. He said:

“If you just said, ‘I’m going to make a list of what the perfect driver would be, from the talent to the ability to work with sponsors, the athlete,’ — he’s just raising the bar for our company. From fitness to charity, it’s unbelievable how perfect he is. So whatever he wanted, I wanted for him. I told him that this year; I said we’re not on a clock, you tell me what you want to do and we’ll make it work. …

“He’s going to be a buddy, a friend, and we’re gonna do things together, and we’ve been partners in business. So this chapter’s going on but he’s just an unbelievable person and an unbelievable friend. So, he’s not just a driver to me; he’s family.”

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