CHASE FOR THE SPRINT CUP RACE 2

No signs of slowing

As others step aside, Johnson races on

Six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson says he has no plans to retire anytime soon and isn’t sure when he will. “I want to make sure I do it once and not keep coming back,” he said.
Six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson says he has no plans to retire anytime soon and isn’t sure when he will. “I want to make sure I do it once and not keep coming back,” he said.

DOVER, Del. — Jimmie Johnson was still only a prospect in NASCAR’s developmental series when he tried to work up the nerve to talk to Jeff Gordon.

Johnson wanted to introduce himself to Gordon and ask for career advice, a chance to pick the brain of one of racing’s greats.

What he didn’t know during that fateful August 2000 meeting was Gordon already knew him. Not only did Gordon have advice, he had a pitch — Hendrick Motorsports was going to expand to four cars and Johnson was their man.

“From that moment on, my head spun around on my shoulders,” Johnson said.

Johnson’s been turning heads on the track ever since a ride at Hendrick Motorsports.

He started three times in 2001 and flashed some early championship potential with his first victory just 10 races into 2002. With crew chief Chad Knaus calling the shots, Johnson has driven the No. 48 Chevrolet to six championships and 74 victories, including a track-record 10 at Dover.

As NASCAR champions Tony Stewart and Gordon ready for retirement, Johnson shows no signs of calling it quits any time soon. He’ll make his 500th career start today at Dover after recently signing a two-year extension with Hendrick.

“The racing gods have smiled on me and this team,” said Johnson, 40.

Johnson’s numbers long ago stamped him a surefire Hall of Famer:

  1. Johnson won six championships in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2013, putting him one shy of matching Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for most on the career list.

  2. Johnson’s 74 victories trail only Gordon (92) among active drivers. He’s eighth on the career list and has Earnhardt (76) in his sights. He’s won at least two races in every full season, won 10 in 2007 and has four this season.

  3. Crew chief. Not counting races missed because of suspension, Knaus has been a constant presence atop the pit box for Johnson since 2002. Johnson and Knaus were almost split by Hendrick following the 2005 season, but Hendrick made them hash out their differences over a snack of milk and cookies. They went on to win a record five consecutive titles.

Johnson has at least one number he hasn’t thought much about, like his retirement age. Stewart and Gordon, who combined for seven championships, are both 44 and said the time was right to retire — Gordon after this season, Stewart after 2016.

Johnson has earned $150 million in purse money alone and sees no reason why today’s drivers will follow the lead of the ones from a generation before him and drive into their 50s.

“I have always been curious. Why, when, what tells you to stop?” he asked. “Mark [Martin] tried a half dozen times to retire and couldn’t walk away. I want to make sure I do it once and not keep coming back. What I am looking for is that moment? That moment that you say, All right, it’s time’. When that shows up, then I will step down.”

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