Written by Jeff Gluck at USAToday.com
There might be some holdouts who still refuse to admit Jimmie Johnson is the greatest NASCAR driver of all time. This despite six championships and 76 wins, the latest which tied Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s career mark Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
There are fans who want to hold onto the past, preferring to believe the days of Richard Petty and Earnhardt Sr. were tougher to win races. But even if that was true, there’s no denying this: Johnson is the by far the class of this era.
“I don’t have a problem calling him the best of this generation — even as a competitor of his and having to go out there and race against him,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. “Obviously he will credit his crew chief and his team. That all has been real consistent throughout his career — and they do deserve some credit — but Jimmie is just a phenomenal talent.”
For some reason, that’s still hard for some fans to acknowledge.
Put him on another team instead of Hendrick Motorsports and he wouldn’t win.
Johnson wouldn’t have six championships if not for the Chase for the Sprint Cupplayoff.
Let’s see what would happen if he didn’t have Chad Knaus as his crew chief.
But the reality is this: Johnson is simply that good.
“Jimmie is pretty awesome, isn’t he?” Knaus said. “Let’s just be honest.”
Drivers don’t easily heap praise on one another, especially when it comes to declaring someone else is better than they are. But the stats don’t lie: What Johnson has been able to do in his parity-filled generation is exceptional.
This has been NASCAR’s most competitive era, with the most lead-lap finishes and the closest battles. And the common thread since Johnson entered the sport? Johnson celebrating in victory lane.
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