We spoke with the seven-time champ ahead of (maybe) his last Daytona 500.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — No matter what happens in the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season, Jimmie Johnson will retire as one of racing’s greatest drivers ever with a record-tying seven championships and 83 wins. But he’s not about to let up now.
Johnson announced in November that he’ll retire from full-time racing at the end of the 2020 season — which opens with Sunday’s Daytona 500 (2:30 p.m. ET, FOX) — although he’s made it clear he’s not done competing and is open to trying out other styles of racing.
But for the next nine months, his focus is on bouncing back from a recent two-year slump and winning (at least) one more Cup Series race, which would move him into a three-way tie for No. 5 all time with Darrell Waltrip and Bobby Allison. His first checkered flag since 2017 would also automatically qualify him for the playoffs and give him a shot at a record-breaking eighth championship.
For The Win spoke with the seven-time champ Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway about his final season and the new mindset he’s embracing in it.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Does the start to this season feel any different knowing it’s your last full-time run?
Pulling in, the flight down, media day, talking about it a lot — I told myself in the offseason I wanted to be present and aware of these opportunities and let it in, so it’s there. There’s so much excitement in my heart about it all that it’s really fun and is bringing energy to me and the team. I know as the year goes on, it will become more emotional, but right now, it’s just bringing a ton of energy.
Is that nervous or positive energy, and how does it compare to how past Daytona 500s have felt?
I haven’t been in the trenches yet racing and worried about performance, so I haven’t had any nerves yet. It’s all been euphoria, unicorn-level stuff of just being happy and great. So I know once we go racing, especially when we get to [Las] Vegas [Motor Speedway for the second race], the reality of the season, the reality of performance will be there. I’ll get knocked down, but right now, I’m certainly riding a high of euphoria.
With all that energy, what’s the one thing you’re most excited about going into this season?
Experiencing this year with the people that mean so much to me: Family, Rick, my crew guys. To have this bond the years, the time, the depth of our experience and relationships — the people part of this is what I’m most excited for.
What are you most scared about?
I think I’m fearful that I’m not going to be present and enjoy the moments because I’m going to be so worried about competition. So I think that’s my biggest challenge. If we get off to a quick start and we win, it’s going to be very easy. But if we don’t get off to the start that we want, how do I enjoy these moments and not be caught in the competitive side too much?
You recently said you’re moving away from the “Chasing 8” mentality in this final season. Have your goals for the season changed if your mindset has?
What I didn’t recognize is after we won seven, with the notion of being a standalone champion at eight, I started chasing something then, and, indirectly, we had come up with this hashtag #Chasing8.
And I had the clarity over the offseason of like, “Holy smokes! I’ve been out of character.” That’s not anything I’ve ever done. I’ve always just showed up to race and have fun. And that’s where I’ve done my best work. That’s where I’ve won seven championships. That’s what I’m going back to.
What’s Jimmie Johnson doing 10 years from now?
That’s a great question. I don’t even know what I’m doing next year. Ten years, kids are 19 and 16. I’ll be fearful of my girls dating, fearful of them driving, worrying about which college they’re going to. Dad stuff.
Would you have any interest in returning to Hendrick in an executive leadership position?
I’ve not played that role to date. I’m not against it either, but it’s family, it’s home. I still, in the coming years, want to compete, so I’m not sure how that really works. But I wouldn’t rule it out. Hendrick’s home, Hendrick’s family, so I’d consider it.
Do you think you’d be OK if you didn’t win one more race?
I wouldn’t have a choice.
You recently said you’re interested in the IndyCar Series in the future but no ovals. Are there any particular tracks that would be at the top of your list?
Long Beach I’m drawn to because I hung on the fence for years as a kid watching. Monterey — I’ve never even been to the track itself, and it’s been so cool and so iconic. [The Circuit of the Americas in Austin] seems super interesting, especially after yesterday driving around. But it’s more the ovals I’m not interested in and very open to the road courses.
Like been there done that?
I’ve never been 240 miles an hour, and I don’t know if I want to go 240 miles an hour.
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