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Years ago the American comedian, Rodney Dangerfield, made a career out of a tag line “I get no respect.”
Ironically, for many years in NASCAR, there was a perception that six-time Sprint Cup Champion, Jimmie Johnson, didn't get the respect he deserved.
Was it because he was quiet, didn't brag, or because he certainly didn't make headlines away from the race track for inappropriate behavior?
It must have been maddening to the Johnson haters that, year-after-year, he continues to win races, and for a five year-stretch (2006-2010) he was the Sprint Car Champion a feat not likely to be matched.
Quietly he endured the booing. At least that was until he won the Daytona 500 in 2006 after his crew chief, Chad Knaus, was caught in technical violation. "This was our chance to show the world all those headlines that said we're a cheater, they aren't true, there's nothing to it," Johnson said. "This is for the haters of the 48 team."
To insult to injury, on the verge of Johnson's sixth champion Donovan McNabb a NFL quarterback and Fox Sports Live analyst said on television, "Do I think he's an athlete? Absolutely not."
After celebrating his latest title Jimmie Johnson finally responded.
“Yes, I am an athlete...,” said Johnson in a matter of fact tone in his voice just after the final laps of the year had been had been run. “Even Tony Stewart, even though he's carrying a little,” he said with a laugh. “He's an athlete. That's just fuel (inferring his rival driver's paunchy belly) for his engine.”
Hendrick Motorsport founder Rick Hendrick was offended by those television remarks. And he responded. “I heard McNabb say he wasn't an athlete,” said Hendrick at Homestead Miami Speedway. “I'd like to see McNabb come run the Boston Marathon with him or swim the lake out here. Guys like that don't know what they're talking about. He wouldn't have been Athlete of the Year if people didn't know what kind of unbelievable athlete he is.”
And even at 38 years of age Johnson said the best is yet to come.
“I've worked so hard and long to get to this point, I'm finally on top of my game. I've worked a lifetime to get here. There's more motivation staying on top for those reasons than chasing stats and the historical things that are out there in front of me now, it's really something that comes from within.
“I'm humbled by the nice things that have been said by competitors and owners, my peers in this industry. I think their opinion is very important. I don't think my opinion matters. It's not for the athlete, the driver. It's bestowed upon you; it's passed down from others.”
That begs the question can Johnson follow that up with a seventh championship, tying him with NASCAR legends, Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt?
“If others are saying it, I'm not going to deny it, chase it away. Sure, I would love to be considered that. If you look at stats, there's still numbers out there that I need to achieve. That's why I say, until I hang my helmet up, it's not necessarily a fair conversation to have,” he said.
Maybe then he'll get the full respect he deserves.
Ironically, for many years in NASCAR, there was a perception that six-time Sprint Cup Champion, Jimmie Johnson, didn't get the respect he deserved.
Was it because he was quiet, didn't brag, or because he certainly didn't make headlines away from the race track for inappropriate behavior?
It must have been maddening to the Johnson haters that, year-after-year, he continues to win races, and for a five year-stretch (2006-2010) he was the Sprint Car Champion a feat not likely to be matched.
 |
| Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet SS, Hendrick Motorsports. (Photo: NASCAR) |
Quietly he endured the booing. At least that was until he won the Daytona 500 in 2006 after his crew chief, Chad Knaus, was caught in technical violation. "This was our chance to show the world all those headlines that said we're a cheater, they aren't true, there's nothing to it," Johnson said. "This is for the haters of the 48 team."
To insult to injury, on the verge of Johnson's sixth champion Donovan McNabb a NFL quarterback and Fox Sports Live analyst said on television, "Do I think he's an athlete? Absolutely not."
After celebrating his latest title Jimmie Johnson finally responded.
“Yes, I am an athlete...,” said Johnson in a matter of fact tone in his voice just after the final laps of the year had been had been run. “Even Tony Stewart, even though he's carrying a little,” he said with a laugh. “He's an athlete. That's just fuel (inferring his rival driver's paunchy belly) for his engine.”
Hendrick Motorsport founder Rick Hendrick was offended by those television remarks. And he responded. “I heard McNabb say he wasn't an athlete,” said Hendrick at Homestead Miami Speedway. “I'd like to see McNabb come run the Boston Marathon with him or swim the lake out here. Guys like that don't know what they're talking about. He wouldn't have been Athlete of the Year if people didn't know what kind of unbelievable athlete he is.”
 |
| Jimmie Johnson, six times Sprint Cup champion. (Photo: NASCAR) |
And even at 38 years of age Johnson said the best is yet to come.
“I've worked so hard and long to get to this point, I'm finally on top of my game. I've worked a lifetime to get here. There's more motivation staying on top for those reasons than chasing stats and the historical things that are out there in front of me now, it's really something that comes from within.
“I'm humbled by the nice things that have been said by competitors and owners, my peers in this industry. I think their opinion is very important. I don't think my opinion matters. It's not for the athlete, the driver. It's bestowed upon you; it's passed down from others.”
That begs the question can Johnson follow that up with a seventh championship, tying him with NASCAR legends, Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt?
“If others are saying it, I'm not going to deny it, chase it away. Sure, I would love to be considered that. If you look at stats, there's still numbers out there that I need to achieve. That's why I say, until I hang my helmet up, it's not necessarily a fair conversation to have,” he said.
Maybe then he'll get the full respect he deserves.