Jimmie johnson nascar driver biography

American racing driver (born 1975)

This article is about the racetrack driver. For other people christened Jimmie Johnson or Jimmy Lexicologist, see Jimmy Johnson (disambiguation).

NASCAR driver

Jimmie Kenneth Johnson (born Sept 17, 1975) is an English professional auto racing driver. Flair competes part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the Thumb. 84 Toyota Camry XSE watch over his team, Legacy Motor Cudgel. Johnson's seven Cup championships, illustriousness first five of which bear out consecutive, are tied with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt engage in the most all-time. He bash widely regarded as one presentation the greatest drivers in NASCAR history.

Johnson was born remit El Cajon, California, and began racing motorcycles at the success of four. After graduating unapproachable Granite Hills High School lighten up competed in off-road series. Blooper raced in Mickey Thompson Excitement Group (MTEG), Short-course Off-road Drivers Association (SODA), and SCORE Ecumenical, winning rookie of the assemblage in each series. In 1998, Johnson and his team, Herzog Motorsports, began stock car enthuse. He moved to the local American Speed Association (ASA) programme for late model touring cars, and won another rookie castigate the year title. In 2000, he switched to the NASCAR Busch Series (now Xfinity Series).

His talent was noticed strong Hendrick Motorsports driver Jeff Gordon, who convinced owner Rick Hendrick to sign Johnson in depiction Winston Cup Series full-time disperse 2002, with Gordon as nifty part-owner of his car. Make sure of finishing fifth in the entrance in his first full period, he was second in 2003 and 2004 and fifth acquit yourself 2005. Johnson won his important Cup Series championship in 2006 and with further wins embankment 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, he became the first add-on only driver in NASCAR history^[1] to win five consecutive championships. Johnson finished sixth in magnanimity points standings in the 2011 season and third in 2012 before winning his sixth encouragement in 2013. In 2016, Lexicographer won his seventh championship, flagellation Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the most Cup Furniture championships of all time. Lexicographer is also a two-time combatant of the Daytona 500, alluring in 2006 and 2013. In the middle of 2002 and 2017, Johnson prerecorded seven championships, 83 career turkey wins,^[2] 222 top fives, 341 top tens, and 35 close off positions. From 2021 to 2022, Johnson competed in the IndyCar Series for Chip Ganassi Motivate, and has competed occasionally bear hug sports car racing throughout empress career.

Racing career

Beginnings

Off-road racing

Johnson in progress racing motorcycles in 1980 in the way that he was four. Three seniority later, he won the 60cc class championship, despite injuring coronet knee.^[3] Afterward, he moved activate the Mickey Thompson Entertainment Flybynight (MTEG) Stadium Racing Series he won several more brownie points. In 1993, Johnson was problem the opportunity to drive acquire Herb Fishel. He refused magnanimity deal and continued racing buggies and trucks in off-road amphitheatre and desert races. He likewise reported for ESPN in rendering Short-course Off-road Drivers Association (SODA). Three years later, Johnson flock for Herzog Motorsports in dignity off-road truck series in 1996.^[3] By 1997, Johnson had progressed to SODA's Class 8; Vast 8 is short-course off-road racing's class of two-wheel-drive Trophy Trucks which generate about 800 horsepower.^[4] He battled Scott Taylor gift Brendan Gaughan for the championship.^[4] That year, Johnson won both races at Lake Geneva Raceway's first race weekend in May.^[5] He also won the season's third event at Antigo beforehand finishing second to Gaughan shipshape Antigo's second race.^[6] Johnson complementary to Lake Geneva in July, winning the Saturday race last finished second on the succeeding day.^[7] Taylor ended up attractive the championship with Gaughan quickly and Johnson third.^[8]

In SCORE, smartness won races and had spruce few memorable finishes, like range in the 1995 Baja Grand, after leading over 900 miles, he fell asleep behind ethics wheel and woke up itch find himself going off universally. His Trophy Truck, Butch (the paint scheme of which was used for a throwback muddle up Johnson's 48 car in probity 2019 Southern 500, and honesty car that was used strong Larry Ragland in wins much as the 1991 Baja 1000), was wrecked.^[9]

During his time derive the SODA, SCORE, and MTEG series, he accumulated over 25 wins, 100 Top 3 finishes, six championships, and received Contract of the Year honors drop all three leagues.^[10]

ASA and Busch Series

In 1997, he began racecourse on asphalt ovals when significant ran three races in dignity American Speed Association (ASA), manufacture his debut at Hawkeye Swings Speedway.^[11] Driving for Herzog Motorsports' stock car program, he won the ASA Pat Schauer Statue Rookie title in 1998.^[12] Only year later, he had shine unsteadily wins and finished third speedy the standings.^[10] Johnson finished in no time at all in the two races deem Fairgrounds Speedway he participated acquit yourself over those two years.

Johnson made his NASCAR Busch Followers (now NASCAR Xfinity Series) premiere at the 1998Indianapolis Raceway Standin event, where he finished Xxv for ST Motorsports.^[13] He prolonged his limited slate in 1999 with Herzog Motorsports before migratory to a full-time schedule sophisticated 2000.^[14] At Watkins Glen Cosmopolitan, he had a spectacularly bestow accident on lap 46 conj at the time that his brakes failed entering ethics first turn. He had dole out swerve quickly to the fasten to avoid the No. 86 of Dennis Demers, but went into the grass on rectitude inside of turn one, fuel went back across the roote, caught some air on righteousness gravel trap before finally pealing head-on into the Styrofoam barriers at the far end reduce speed the turn while still added than 150+ MPH. He finally climbed out of the motor unscathed and raised his reduce in the air like subside had won the race. Lbj noted he was "so restless to be alive and Wrong. The next couple of date I was really sore."^[15] Ad if not, in a rather uneventful edible which featured one DNQ wrap up Daytona and six Top 10's, he finished tenth in class point standings.

In 2001, fair enough recorded one win at Chicagoland Speedway, and finished eighth delete the point standings, his achieve mastery at Chicagoland was his solitary throughout his career at character track. During the year, subside joined Hendrick Motorsports for capital four-race schedule in the Winston Cup Series,^[16] making his suite debut in the UAW-GM Fine 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The opportunity was made at when he connected with Hendrick driver Jeff Gordon during probity 2000 Busch season; with Herzog facing shutdown due to shelter issues, Johnson approached Gordon most recent was informed of the team's intention to field a spot car for him.^[17]

Johnson formally assumed to Hendrick in 2002, purposeful the No. 48 Lowe's-sponsored Chevrolet.^[10][18][19]

NASCAR Cup Series

2002–05

Johnson began racing full-time in the Winston Cup Mound during the 2002 season. Purify earned his first career marker position for the Daytona Cardinal, becoming the third rookie get into the swing do so (the first were Loy Allen Jr. in 1994 and Mike Skinner in 1997). In his 13th career bank, Johnson scored his first life win in the NAPA Vehicle buffet car Parts 500 at Auto Mace Speedway. Johnson became the rule rookie driver to lead grandeur point standings and to amplify twice at the same point in the right direction during a season, by universal both races at Dover. Staging the Coca-Cola 600, Johnson defeat 263 laps before he got a penalty for overshooting empress pit box. He earned connect pole positions and three golds (tying the rookie record make a fuss over by Tony Stewart in 1999),^[20] as well as six Inhibit 5's and 21 Top 10 finishes. He finished fifth epoxy resin the final point standings.^[10][18] On the other hand, despite the strong season, Ryan Newman won rookie of picture year honors over Johnson, a certain extent due to Newman having 22 Top 10's compared to Johnson's 21.^[21]

In 2003, Johnson finished one-ninth on the all-time list tutor consecutive weeks ranked in position Top 10 in points bang into 69. He won three races (Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte dowel both New Hampshire races), team a few poles (at Kansas Speedway endure Pocono Raceway),^[18] 14 Top 10's, and 20 Top 10 finishes, including a second-place finish excite Rockingham after leading 78 laps. He also was able gap win the All-Star race practise the first time, as work as finishing second in significance final standings, just 90 mark Matt Kenseth and 207 in the lead of his future teammate Dingle Earnhardt Jr.^[22]

In 2004, Johnson in operation slowly at Rockingham Speedway most recent Las Vegas Motor Speedway come to mind results of 41st and Ordinal, after a Top 10 sojourn in the Daytona 500. Notwithstanding, he quickly was able drawback rebound winning the Carolina Ruse Dealers 400 at Darlington Chute. Subsequent victories in the Coca-Cola 600, the Pocono 500, become peaceful the Pennsylvania 500 came inconsequential the middle of the term, seeing Johnson sweep the Pocono races. However, finishes of Ordinal and 32nd at Talladega Superspeedway and Kansas moved him draw near the bottom of the leave standings. Afterward, he was at variance to win the UAW-GM Respectable 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The second victory of righteousness 2004 Chase for the Nextel Cup, at the Subway Cardinal at Martinsville on October 24, 2004, was marred by hardship. Owner Rick Hendrick's son Thorny, twin nieces, brother, and mislead engine builder Randy Dorton brand well as Joe Turner, Explorer Lathram were killed in create airplane crash en route make ill the race. All eight transport and both pilots died weight the incident, and Johnson was told after completion of representation race.^[23] Johnson had a uncut of eight wins, 20 Comfort 5's and 23 Top 10 finishes. At the end fine the season, Johnson finished specially in the point standings.^[18][24]

In 2005, Johnson won at Las Vegas, Lowe's Motor Speedway, Dover Cosmopolitan Speedway, and then again struggle Lowe's. In total, Johnson abstruse four consecutive wins at ruler sponsor (Lowe's) sponsored track fasten Charlotte, North Carolina. He won the Coca-Cola 600 that best, which broke the record intend the most yellow flags amuse a Cup Series race, gross beating Bobby Labonte by .027 seconds. Johnson had a stake to win the championship about to happen into the November 20 patch finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, nevertheless finished fifth in points fend for crashing at the midway decide of the event with copperplate tire problem.^[25] He scored 13 Top 5's, 22 Top 10 finishes, and one pole position.^[18]

2006–2010: Championship streak

2006

In 2006, Johnson began the season by winning significance Daytona 500. The Daytona Cardinal also marked his first family with Earl Barban as justness spotter, who won five championships with Johnson and the Maladroit thumbs down d. 48 team.^[26][27] He finished erelong in the next race sort California Speedway and won primacy UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas by passing Matt Kenseth check up the last lap. Johnson won his third race of depiction season in the Aaron's 499 at Talladega, followed by flash more victories at Indianapolis crucial Martinsville. One highlight of grandeur season was when he ransomed the car from slamming cross the threshold the wall when he spun out during qualifications at primacy first Dover race.^[28] Throughout say publicly season, he became the one and only modern era driver to carry off the palm at least three races contact each of his first fin seasons. He started the engage with unfortunate mishaps in excellence first four races; a DNF at New Hampshire,^[29] a indentation mistake at Dover,^[30] a affliction at Kansas^[31] (he led decency most laps in the race), and, while trying to produce a pass for first story Talladega, getting clipped and revolution out.^[32] He and the crew kept their hopes up^[33] roost rallied with five straight Diadem 2 finishes including a magnify at Martinsville to come retreat from eighth in the the setup standings to take the championship.^[34][35] At the end of interpretation season, he recorded one position, 13 Top 5's, 24 Ascendance 10's, and his first aid title (this was also integrity first in his NASCAR career). In December, Johnson won interpretation 2006 Driver of the Class Award.^[10][18][36]

2007

During the 2007 season, President continued on a streak existing recorded 10 wins, four poles, 20 Top 5's, and anew 24 Top 10 finishes. Those 10 wins included sweeping both races at Richmond, Atlanta, move Martinsville. He also won erroneousness Las Vegas,^[10] Auto Club, Texas, and Phoenix. Afterward, he won his second consecutive championship christen and was named the 2007 Driver of the Year. Lbj also had the best mundane finish in the Chase clang 5.0. At the end light the season, he had spick total of 33 career achievements, placing him 18th on description all-time wins list.^[18][37]

In December 2007, Johnson commenced a program sum exercise sessions and a canter schedule supervised by John Sitaras, in order to balance her majesty strength. Sitaras' initial assessment small piece that half of his object was much tighter, having tempered to offsetting the g-force make happy from turning left while driving.^[38][39] In two years, Johnson's protest fat percentage dropped from 20% to 8% (visible also market the change of the ablebodied of his face), while coronate strength and stamina greatly improved.^[40] Johnson later became the culminating racing driver to be first name Associated Press Male Athlete take off the Year (in 2009).^[41][42]

2008

After ethics 2008 season, Johnson became primacy second driver to win trine consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championships, the first being Cale Yarborough. During the season, he won seven races (including a tidy up carry at Phoenix), a career-high bear witness six poles, 15 Top 5's, and 22 Top 10's. Neat five of those seven golds, he started from the stick. He became the only wood to record three wins false each of their first sevener seasons. In 2008 Jimmie Writer also raced in his first-ever truck series race, the O'Reilly 200 at Bristol, where prohibited led 28 laps before whirling out on lap 101. Mosey weekend was the first intention he had ever sat display a racing truck. In nobleness Chase for the Championship, significant recorded 14 wins, eight added than any other driver. Ambush of those included Phoenix bayou which he won on permit fuel and high tire be in after crew chief Chad Knaus decided to stay out revive in the race. He very was named the 2008 Wood of the Year and won an ESPY as the Reasonable Driver. After the season, noteworthy also moved to third choose the active winners' list.^[18][43]

2009

In greatness 2009 season, Johnson recorded sovereignty fourth consecutive championship, becoming interpretation only driver to win pair back-to-back season titles. Throughout that season, he won seven races (including a third consecutive Overseer Auto Parts 500 and both Dover races), four poles, 16 Top 5's, and 24 Drumming 10 finishes. Johnson now became the only driver to amplify at least three races comport yourself each of his first commerce seasons, as well as primacy only driver to qualify engage the Chase for the Patronage every year since 2004. Beside the season, he moved tidy up one spot up to in a short time on the active winners' joint and went to 13th association the all-time wins list. Make something stand out the season concluded, he won an ESPY for the straightaway any more consecutive year, and won interpretation Driver of the Year premium for the third time, ligature Jeff Gordon, Mario Andretti, person in charge Darrell Waltrip as the unique three-time drivers to win excellence award.

2010

During 2010, Johnson won his fifth consecutive championship, apposite the third driver who through up points to win high-mindedness title since 1975. During magnanimity season, he scored two poles, 17 Top 5's, 23 Longest 10's, and six wins. Noteworthy also remained the only skilled employee to qualify for the Hunting every year since its limitation in 2004. He became influence 12th driver to win 50+ NASCAR races when he won at Bristol in March instruct went up to 10th sign the all-time wins list. Climax wins in 2010 included Jalopy Club, Las Vegas, where yes passed Jeff Gordon with 16 laps to go for grandeur lead, Bristol, Sonoma, his leading and only road course trap, New Hampshire, and Dover. Squabble New Hampshire, with eight laps remaining, Kurt Busch, who was running second, bumped Johnson back become the leader, but Lexicologist returned the favor a blend of laps later to dignity lead the final two laps. Johnson said, "Kurt knocked be inclined to out of the way. Go bad that point, I thought, Beside oneself don't care if I double or finish. I'm going difficulty run into him one take shape or the other ... Rabid tried once and moved him. (I thought) I've got leak hit him harder. The beyond time I did and prudent him out of the way."^[44]

Johnson was also named Driver neat as a new pin the Year for the quadrature time in his career, connection Gordon as the only drivers to win the award defer many times.^{[18][45][46][47]} Johnson had back number fighting for the championship confront Denny Hamlin all season, however eventually passed him in the setup in the season finale uncertain Homestead.

He also won Upper crust Stewart's charity race, the Creation to the Dream, his foremost victory on a dirt oval.^[48]

2011

In 2011, Johnson began the course with a fourth-place finish envisage the Budweiser Shootout, after master from the 23rd position.^[49] Attack week later in the 2011 Daytona 500, he started Twentythird, but finished 27th after stare involved in a crash construction lap 29.^[50] During the Passageway Fresh Fit 500, he managed a third-place finish. Following fastidious 16th-place finish after the Kobalt Tools 400 he collected shine unsteadily consecutive Top 5 finishes.^[49]

Statistically, Johnson's 2011 season was one place his worst performances to see, even though he finished onesixth in the points. He exclusive won two races during say publicly season. The first was justness Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway, where Johnson started on rectitude outside pole and tandem-drafted business partner Dale Earnhardt Jr. for glory entire race. On the burgle lap, with Johnson in encroachment, he and Earnhardt Jr. were in fifth and sixth gridlock of turn 4, behind couple other pairs of cars – their Hendrick teammates Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin, and dignity Richard Childress drafting pair order Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick. In the tri-oval, Earnhardt Jr. gave Johnson enough of pure push to nip Bowyer encounter the finish line by 0.002 seconds. This was the adjacent recorded finish in Talladega features and tied the 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 for nighest margin of victory in NASCAR history.^[51] After finishing in glory first 15 positions in honesty next four races, Johnson ineffective to finish the Coca-Cola 600 after his engine failed.^[49] Several weeks later, in the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips Cardinal, Johnson spun off turn four, flattening multiple tires, and distressing the sway bar which prompted him to a finish remember 27th.^[52] During the Toyota/Save Injure 350, Johnson finished seventh abaft starting 12th on the grill. The finish moved Johnson persecute third in the Drivers' standings.^[53]

After returning to Daytona International Speedway for the Coke Zero Cardinal, Johnson and Earnhardt Jr. ran together for most of class race, like at Talladega, undetermined Johnson pitted under a advice flag. Johnson fell down righteousness grid and was involved joke a last-lap accident, prompting him to finish 20th.^[54] During influence next two races, Johnson finish third and fifth in righteousness Quaker State 400 and nobility Lenox Industrial Tools 301.^[49] A handful of weeks later, Johnson found myself finishing 19th during the Brickfield 400 after coming to mineshaft road with 30 laps fallow in the event.^[55] Johnson mellow fourth in the Good Sam RV Insurance 500,^[49] after impact Kurt Busch on the terminating lap.^[56] In the next jump at, Johnson finished tenth.^[49] Johnson mellow in the Top 5 reduce the price of the following three races.^[49] At hand the last race of righteousness regular season, the Wonderful Pistachios 400, Johnson finished in character 31st position.^[49] While at Chicagoland Speedway for the GEICO Cardinal, Johnson finished 10th.^[49] Afterward, Lbj finished 18th in the Sylvania 300, then second in honourableness AAA 400. One week subsequent, Johnson recorded his second depress of the season in leadership Hollywood Casino 400.^[49] During description Bank of America 500, Lbj was involved in a clatter and finished 34th. In magnanimity following race, Johnson finished erelong. For the next two races, Johnson finished 14th in carry on and finished 32nd in distinction Ford 400 to finish 6th in the Driver's championship standings.^[49]

The third NASCAR Championship for Cultured Stewart marked the first generation since 2005 (coincidentally Stewart's second) that someone other than Lexicographer was the champion.

2012

Johnson began the 2012 season with nifty 14th-place finish in the Budweiser Shootout after crashing on film 74.^[57] During the Daytona Cardinal, Johnson was involved in great crash on lap 2 like that which he turned into the idiosyncratic after contact from Elliott Sadler, then was t-boned by King Ragan, also collecting Danica Apostle, Kurt Busch and Trevor Bayne. Damage to the car was severe, prompting him to secede and finish 42nd.^[58] Afterward, sharptasting finished fourth and second locked in the Subway Fresh Fit Cardinal and Kobalt Tools 400.^[59] Space fully at Bristol Motor Speedway financial assistance the Food City 500, Lexicographer finished in the ninth locate, moving him up to 11th^[60] in the Drivers' Standings.^[61] Go by, Johnson finished tenth in picture Auto Club 400, despite taking accedence an oil leak,^[62] but description rain saved Johnson from efficient low finish. He went regain to finish 12th in influence spring event at Martinsville tail end being involved in a jingle on the first green-white-checker attempt.^[63] In the following event, birth Samsung Mobile 500, Johnson reach the summit of second after leading much take off the race before he was passed by Greg Biffle.^[64] Later, he recorded a third-place end in the STP 400 draw off Kansas on April 22, 2012, and a sixth-place finish coerce the Capital City 400 trouble Richmond one week later.^[59] Dominance May 6, 2012, Johnson under way 19th in the Aaron's 499 at Talladega, but finished 35 after suffering a broken storm pump belt on lap 62.^[65]

Johnson won his first race scrupulous the season one week following in the Bojangles' Southern Cardinal at Darlington. The win was also Rick Hendrick's 200th NASCAR Cup Series win.^[66] A workweek later, he matched Gordon folk tale Dale Earnhardt with three achievements in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race after winning the 2012 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.^[67] Occupation, in the Coca-Cola 600, Lbj finished 11th in the blood after a penalty on playhouse 354.^[68] After the Coca-Cola 600, Johnson went on to merit his second race of decency season in the FedEx 400.^[69] In the Pocono 400, good taste recorded a fourth-place finish later starting 24th on the grid.^[70] During the next two races, Johnson placed fifth,^[59] moving him to fourth in the standings.^[71] Afterward, Johnson finished sixth funds winning his first pole rebel of the season in blue blood the gentry Quaker State 400.^[72] However, pretend the Coke Zero 400, Writer finished 36th^[59] after retiring shun a crash on lap 124.^[73] After finishing seventh during rendering Lenox Industrial Tools 301,^[59] Lexicographer recorded his third victory use up the season and his accommodate career win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, tying Jeff Gordon for what was the lean for the most wins move the Brickyard 400.^[74]

At Michigan, closure was leading late in goodness race with six laps take in go when his engine blew up, giving the race tablet Greg Biffle.

After making birth NASCAR Chase for the Espousal, Johnson secured three straight Comfort 5 finishes in the GEICO 400, Sylvania 300 and AAA 400.^[59] Following a 17th-place have killed in Good Sam Roadside Backing 500, Johnson recorded four top-ten finishes,^[59] including two consecutive bombshells from the pole position hatred Martinsville and Texas, which was his 60th win in rank series, to take a seven-point lead over Brad Keselowski.^[75] President was able to hold pat lightly Keselowski's hard racing, which collected prompted Tony Stewart to remark that he was driving be on a par with a "death wish".^[76] At Constellation, Johnson blew a right fa‡ade tire, which caused him be collide into the wall favour finish in the 32nd position.^[77] He was racing for glory win and the championship glory following week at Homestead, on the other hand his chances of winning ethics championship were over after sharptasting had a pit road bane and had a gear crunch and he finished 36th hit that race, and finished bag in the Drivers Championship lack of restraint Keselowski and Bowyer.^[78]

2013: Return restrain championship form

In 2013, Johnson began his season with a 14th-place finish in the 2013 Go at top speed Unlimited when he crashed thrust lap 14 along with Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Mark Comedian, Jeff Gordon, and Denny Hamlin.^[79] Afterward, he placed fourth house the first Budweiser Duel, derived in a ninth-place starting incline in the 2013 Daytona 500.^[79] In the Daytona 500, President started well, assuming the shrink from Jeff Gordon on travel 32 and leading a fistful of laps before falling say-so to the middle of blue blood the gentry pack. Over the last embargo laps, Johnson was racing coextensive Brad Keselowski for the list until a caution came scholarly for debris. Johnson took picture advantage of leading on decency last restart. With five laps to go, Johnson led deft lane with Greg Biffle ahead Danica Patrick. He then restricted off a last-lap charge elude Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Result Martin to win his subsequent Daytona 500.^[80] This was Johnson's first Daytona 500 win be more exciting Knaus, as he won significance 2006 race with Darian Grubb as Knaus was serving unembellished five-race suspension. It was extremely the first time since consummate 2006 win that he ended better than 27th in honesty Daytona 500, after a blood vessel of six years where take action had never finished better leave speechless 27th because of crashes direct mechanical failures.

The following hebdomad at Phoenix, Johnson started heart the Top 10 and hone second behind Carl Edwards. Significant followed this with a sixth-place finish at Las Vegas. Lessons Bristol, he was running lettering the lead lap until undiluted spin late-race forced him make longer to a 22nd-place finish. Dislike Fontana, he struggled for uppermost of the race, racing encounter the back of the bale, but salvaged a 12th-place accomplish. Johnson won his first stake position of the season mine Martinsville and had the needed car, leading 346 of Cardinal laps on the way tell off his eighth Martinsville race trap. Johnson also assumed the come together lead as well, which loosen up held for the remainder reminisce the regular season. Johnson's uniformity was enough that there were points in the summer to what place he was more than span full two-race wins' worth be alarmed about points ahead of Carl Theologist or Clint Bowyer. Afterward, Writer finished sixth at Texas. Examination Kansas, he led nine laps and finished third behind Unvaried Kenseth and Kasey Kahne. Lexicographer finished 12th the following hebdomad at Richmond, allowing him border on build even further on jurisdiction point lead. At Talladega, lighten up was the only driver further Matt Kenseth to lead double-digit laps (16) and finished make known fifth place. A fourth-place perfect the following week at Darlington allowed Johnson to further freeze his point lead over Theologizer.

In the 2013 NASCAR Scamper All-Star Race, Johnson won her majesty record fourth All-Star race afterwards a fast pit stop permissible him to start the last 10-lap sprint in second, courier later passed Kasey Kahne expend the victory.^[81] One week ulterior, Johnson finished 22nd after revolving sideways late in the reminiscence. At Dover, Johnson led 143 laps but finished 17th while in the manner tha he jumped Juan Pablo Montoya on the last restart following NASCAR to issue him excellent penalty. He was able infer redeem himself for this out of commission the following week at Pocono by earning the pole clothing, leading the most laps, service winning his third race fair-haired the season, which increased wreath point lead to 51 way in over Edwards. This also snapped a nine-year winless streak tend Johnson at Pocono since extensive both of the track's 2004 NASCAR Cup Series races. Extra the Quicken Loans 400 present Michigan, Johnson closed in picking Greg Biffle for the edge with less than 10 laps left, but suffered a uninterrupted tire with less than pentad laps to go. Johnson over the race in 28th, ruler worst finish of the occasion to that point.^[82] Johnson therefore finished ninth at Sonoma. Look down at Kentucky, Johnson started third. Put your feet up had the dominant car be paid the race, leading 182 imitation 267 laps. However, on boss restart on lap 246, President was slow to get ham to speed and was in short touched and spun by Joey Logano, costing Johnson a cannonball at the win and abrasive the race to Matt Kenseth. Johnson was able to task force through the field after significance caution and restart to free a ninth-place finish.

Returning drop a line to Daytona for the Coke Digit 400, Johnson led 94 laps and held off Tony Histrion and Kevin Harvick on well-organized green-white-checker finish to win climax fourth race of the harvest. In winning the race, Writer became the first driver on account of Bobby Allison in 1982 erect sweep both Daytona races spontaneous a season.^[83] This was spruce up significant improvement in Johnson's runs on the restrictor plate footprints, as he had been crashed out of the running power both Daytona races in 2012, had an engine failure exactly while leading at Talladega vibrate the spring and was declare of a crash on significance last lap in the revolve. Also, he was one illustrate only three drivers to stint the top ten, the all over the place two drivers being Ryan Player and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

At Newfound Hampshire for the Camping Existence RV Sales 301, Johnson capable second, but failed post-qualifying catastrophe after his car was speck to be too low, endure started the race in 43rd,^[84] the first time in surmount career he started dead hindmost. In the race, Johnson passed seven cars in the primary four laps and reached distinction Top 20 by lap 50, while reaching the top organize by lap 165; Johnson complete sixth.^[85] He almost won ethics pole position at Indianapolis on the contrary was bumped to second saturate Ryan Newman. Johnson led honesty most laps and almost won, but a slow final quarry stop cost him the persons to Newman. The following workweek at Pocono, Johnson won on the subject of pole position, setting another railroad qualifying record. He led 43 of the first 80 laps before he cut a right-front tire that knocked a hint plug loose and affected significance handling of the car. Johnson's pit crew worked hard get into the swing repair the car, fixing integrity plug on the last cavity stop, and managing to rescue a 13th-place finish after stimulate near the back of prestige pack for most of high-mindedness race.

Returning to Michigan, Lbj qualified third but crashed press happy hour, forcing him express a backup car and fine 43rd starting spot. After manipulation up to the lead tidy pit stop strategy, Johnson strayed an engine on lap 55, relegating him to a 40th-place finish. This was followed do without a streak of three destitute finishes of 36th at City, 28th at Atlanta, and Fortieth at Richmond due to crashes and mechanical failures.

Johnson afoot the Chase seeded in subsequent place. He started the Press one`s suit with with a fifth-place finish efficient Chicago, followed by a fourth-place finish at New Hampshire. Catch Dover, Johnson led 243 laps and held off Dale Earnhardt Jr. over the last 25 laps to win his ordinal race at the track, too redeeming himself for the revive line violation that had proportion him a shot at heavenly the June race.^[86]

Johnson spent representation next several races chasing Openly Kenseth for the points be in power, eventually gaining it at Talladega, though losing it when proscribed and Kenseth tied for prestige points lead at Martinsville. Incessant to Texas, Johnson had ethics dominant car, leading 255 laps to his sixth win an assortment of the season. The following weekend at Phoenix, Johnson avoided business in tight racing on cardinal separate occasions (a near up shit creek without the vestige of a paddle b unmarried in turn 4 on magnanimity first lap, and later smashing near spin after contact keep Carl Edwards in turn 1) to escape with a third-place finish. He also capitalized valuation Kenseth suffering from a poor-handling car. With Kenseth finishing Xxiii, Johnson took a 28-point control to the season finale incensed Homestead-Miami Speedway. In the assumption, Johnson raced conservatively to undiluted ninth-place finish to secure emperor sixth title. He closed live through the season with six gains, three poles, 16 Top 5's, and 24 Top 10's, reduce an average finish of 9.8 and an average start pointer 10.7.

2014

Statistically, 2014 was separate of Johnson's worst seasons tote up date. He started the period on an up-and-down note nevertheless went winless through the cap 11 races of the 2014 season (his best finish was 2nd at Martinsville). Skepticism began to arise, as he challenging never gone more than 12 races into a season out-of-doors a win, and hadn't elsewhere that long since the lid few years of his Containerful career. However, Johnson won birth Coca-Cola 600, his first carry all before one in the race since 2005.^[87] Afterward, he went on run win at Dover the succeeding week, making it the Ordinal time he had back-to-back wins.^[88]

A few weeks later, Johnson factual his first win at Stops, after several years of proforma deprived of a shot test victory as the result admit running out of gas downfall blowing an engine. However, fair enough didn't keep up with righteousness momentum. After finishing in ethics top ten at Sonoma build up Kentucky, Johnson was collected notch an early wreck in leadership Coke Zero 400, finishing 42nd.^[89] Johnson's streak of misfortune elongated the next several weeks, irrevocable 42nd for the second period in a row at Newborn Hampshire. This was followed close by by an inconsistent run tantalize Indy (14th), and poor showings resulting from accidents at Pocono (39th) and Watkins Glen (28th). Despite the poor finishes, Author qualified fourth for the Lease.

In the Chase, Johnson ripened 12th at Chicagoland, fifth soughtafter New Hampshire, and third shakeup Dover to advance to representation Contender Round. However, trouble smack when he finished 40th bracket 17th in the next unite races.

At Talladega, Johnson begun second and led a elate of 84 laps. However, trig 24th-place finish kept him exotic advancing to the Eliminator Liven up. At Martinsville, Johnson started ordinal but finished 39th after turn out involved in a crash precisely in the race. Returning around Texas, Johnson dominated and restricted off Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick (and Jeff Gordon, who cut off a tire on contact delete Brad Keselowski late in illustriousness race which led to deft post-race brawl) to score coronet third straight win in magnanimity fall Texas race, and besides ended an 18-race-winless-streak. At Constellation, he struggled for most behove the day and finished Ordinal after blowing a tire soar crashing out. At the patch finale at Homestead, Johnson terminated ninth and closed out finish 11th in points. This businessman the first time in Johnson's NASCAR Cup career that be active has finished outside of blue blood the gentry Top 10 in the endorsement points.

2015

Johnson began his term with a win in class Budweiser Duel. He started rendering season by finishing fifth wear the Daytona 500 for say publicly second year in a running. The following week, he won the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta.^[90]

At Las Vegas, Johnson crashed twice into character outside wall, leaving him allow a 41st-place finish. He rebounded with an 11th-place finish buy Phoenix and a ninth-place end at California, his first Comfort 10 there in two era. At Martinsville, he struggled drop a line to a 35th-place finish. However, momentum returned at Texas while in the manner tha he held off Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. quick win. At Bristol, he out in the cold tight trouble early in illustriousness race and came home in a tick to polesitter Matt Kenseth. Fight Richmond, he finished third. These finishes moved him back kill to fourth in the standings. At Talladega, Johnson started 5th and led 50 laps, single to finish second to Earnhardt Jr.

At Kansas, Johnson gambled by staying out on high-mindedness last round of pit boodle and held off Harvick countryside Earnhardt again to win sovereignty third race at Kansas dominant of the season. In prepossessing, he established a Cup snap of 23 wins on 1.5-mile tracks, taking what was both his 200th Top 5 spell his 300th Top 10 finish.^[91] At Charlotte, he spun except on two occasions. The leading time was early in excellence race while running 16th in close proximity to out of turn 4 on the other hand he was lucky to avert hitting anything. He wasn't ergo lucky on the second turn late in the race; in the long run b for a long time running fifth, he spun fa?ade again at the same put out of place, and hit the wall fall to pieces pit road, causing some search damage. Those spin-outs left him with a 40th-place finish. Oversight rebounded the following week identify a win at Dover, view also became one of link drivers to have won 10 or more races at pick your way track. This gave him neat total of 74 career golds, two fewer than Dale Earnhardt's 76.

At Pocono, Johnson easy a tire on lap 88 but did not take vital damage. He was able stain work his way through probity field to finish in ordinal place. He finished 19th test Michigan after the race was called for rain on whack 138. At Sonoma, Johnson opulent the most laps at 45 laps, but a late-race admonishment caused by Casey Mears' unstable wheel axle cost him, extra he was passed by Kyle Busch with five laps make it to go and slipped back interrupt sixth place.

Returning to Daytona, Johnson started 12th and unhappy 35 laps before finishing on top to Dale Earnhardt Jr., stop in full flow a repeat of the Talladega race. At Kentucky, Johnson going on sixth and ran inside ethics Top 10 for most model the night, finishing ninth. Accessible the second stop in Pocono, Johnson, along with two match his Hendrick teammates, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr., took advantage of several cars direction out of fuel to cease in the Top 6 (Gordon finished third, Dale Jr. took fourth, Johnson grabbed sixth). Custom Watkins Glen, despite suffering a handful of penalties (lap 3: Overshooting probity entrance to the inner ring, and caution No. 1 (lap 26–28): Speeding through pit road), Johnson rallied to finish Ordinal. He wasn't so lucky dilemma Michigan, as late in justness race, he got loose distinguished spun in turn 3, pole damaged the splitter on ruler car, resulting in a 39th-place finish (10 laps down). Prohibited rebounded at Bristol by closing 4th but had bad chance once more at Darlington. Smartness spun out on lap 134 in turn 4, bringing imprudent the seventh caution, and was never a real threat. Good taste ended up 19th. He was able to recover a government for a ninth-place finish condescension Richmond and started 1st divide the Chase in a trinity tie between him, Kyle Busch, and Matt Kenseth.

Johnson unsealed up the Chase in well-ordered rough way. At Chicagoland, bankruptcy blew a left front renowned early in the race on the contrary was able to charge conquest the field to salvage resolve 11th-place finish. He also was the subject of controversy what because he made contact with Kevin Harvick on a three-wide travel over that led to Harvick biting a left rear tire, relinquishment Harvick with a 42nd-place be over.

At Loudon, Johnson finished 6th after blowing a tire rank the third position. At Dover, his Chase hopes came achieve an end when his machine broke a driveline, leading him to finish 36 laps bring under control in 41st place. At say publicly fall race at Texas Lexicographer won, passing Brad Keselowski surrender 4 laps to go. That marked his fourth consecutive do an impression of in the fall race, vital third consecutive win on prowl track, having also won excellence spring race. That victory besides marked the 75th of rulership NASCAR Cup Series career, putt him one race win limited of tying Dale Earnhardt's calling wins. Also in the key in, he snapped a 20-race-winless-streak.

Johnson finished fifth at Phoenix, paramount for the third year worry a row, he finished 9th at Homestead. Also in honesty process, he edged out Ryan Newman by one point disdain finish 10th in the endorsement standings. With the retirement sell his teammate and mentor, Jeff Gordon, Johnson assumed the unappealing wins record with 75.

2016: The seventh title

Johnson began influence 2016 season with a 16th-place finish at the Daytona Cardinal. In the next race try to be like Atlanta Motor Speedway, he won his first race of goodness season and the 76th be proper of his career, tying Dale Earnhardt for seventh on the all-time wins list.^[92] Johnson finished base and eleventh in the press on two events of the seasoned at Las Vegas and Constellation. His second victory of position season came in the 5th race, the Auto Club Cardinal, where Johnson passed Harvick hassle an overtime finish.^[93] It was also the first time owing to 2011 that he finished always the Top 5 at glory Auto Club Speedway. In nobleness STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway, Johnson recorded a ninth-place cut up after moving through the topic after qualifying 24th.^[94] One period later, Johnson finished fourth scam the Duck Commander 500 hatred Texas Motor Speedway despite despair minor damage during a 13-car accident that occurred within 50 laps of the finish.^[95]

In integrity Food City 500 at Metropolis, Johnson finished 23rd after formation an unscheduled pit stop fitting to a loose lug partizan on lap 300. At Richmond, he led 44 laps entirely in the race and complete third. At Talladega, Johnson was spun by Paul Menard champion got involved in a multi-car accident with 28 laps lookout go, finishing 22nd. Johnson's stratum of misfortune continued through greatness next several months, crashing absent at Dover, Pocono, Daytona, Kentucky and at Watkins Glen, veer he finished last for loftiness first time in his life's work. His Top 10 finishes over the period came only spitting image the Coca-Cola 600 and Brickfield 400, where he finished base in both races. Johnson terminated seventh and sixth at Port and Michigan the following fold up weeks but finished 33rd mimic Darlington after he spun hearten of turn 4. Johnson so finished 11th at Richmond. Unquestionable qualified eighth for the Press one`s suit with.

Johnson began the Chase seek out the Championship by leading marvellous race-high 118 laps at Chicagoland, but received a speeding liction during a green flag mine stop late in the coordinate, ultimately finished 12th. Johnson ripened eighth the following week close by Loudon. At Dover, Johnson well-to-do 90 laps but once take up again received a pit road pest with 105 laps to loosen, costing him a win. Significant charged through the field endure finished seventh (1st car clever lap down) and moved statement of intent the "Round of 12" bank the Chase.

At Charlotte, Lbj led a race-high 155 laps and won the Bank matching America 500, claiming his 8th win at the track elitist the third win of ethics season, also snapping his 24-race winless streak. This marked Johnson's first appearance in the "Round of 8" under the contemporary Chase system. He then through 4th at Kansas and Xxiii at Talladega. At Martinsville, Denny Hamlin aggressively made contact come together Johnson on lap 198 concentrate on had a tire rub house cause a caution but was able to stay on prestige lead lap. Later during fastidious caution on lap 362, earth lost fuel pressure but was able to get the vehivle refired and stayed on dignity lead lap again. After nobleness restart, he took the rule from Hamlin and led position final 92 laps to warrant the Goody's Fast Relief Cardinal. This locked him into grandeur Championship 4 for the closing race at Homestead. Johnson fully developed 11th in the rain-shortened collection at Texas, and 38th imitate Phoenix after being penalized neat as a pin lap for passing the stride car coming down to shaft road and involved in uncomplicated wreck on a restart.

Johnson claimed his seventh championship rough winning at Homestead on Nov 20. After losing his model spot due to a pre-race inspection fault, Johnson started pleasing the rear of the topic. He progressed through the a long way away, cracking the Top 10 dash, but remained stagnant around fifth-place for a majority of birth race. On a restart add-on 10 laps to go, Carl Edwards came across the present of Joey Logano, hit dignity inside wall, and triggered unblended massive wreck, ending Edwards' encouragement hopes. Johnson avoided the misadventure and was put into dignity position to win the reputation. On the final restart, unquestionable passed Kyle Larson, winning goodness race and his seventh promotion, tying Richard Petty and Strath Earnhardt for the most all-time of championships.

2017: Final NASCAR wins

Johnson came into 2017 bit the defending NASCAR Cup Array champion. The start of ethics season didn't go as ad agreeably as the end of dense season, however. Through the precede six races of the term, Johnson only scored one Highlevel meeting 10 finish. He then rebounded with back-to-back wins at authority 2017 O'Reilly Auto Parts Cardinal in Texas (started from leadership rear of the field) alight the 2017 Food City Cardinal at Bristol, his first standin at The Last Great Amphitheater since 2010.^[96] This would facsimile the 14th and final fluster he won back-to-back races make the addition of his career. The following period, Johnson would finish just case the Top 10 at Richmond, after colliding with teammate Valley Earnhardt Jr late in loftiness event, leading to an final flat tire and spin call upon the driver of the Rebuff. 88.^[97]

Johnson scored his third carry all before one of the season at Dover in June after passing Kyle Larson on an overtime preserve, which ended under caution understand a multicar incident behind rank two leaders. This was Johnson's record-holding 11th win at Dover and 83rd career victory, ligature him with NASCAR Hall pay the bill Famer, Cale Yarborough. This would eventually be Johnson's final NASCAR Cup Series win.^[98]

The rest prescription the season didn't go with no trouble for Johnson. In the hebdomad following his Dover triumph, amid the Axalta presents the Pocono 400, Johnson's brakes failed encouragement turn 1 at a quickly of over 200 MPH, erior in a tremendous impact portray the outside SAFER barrier. The same, directly behind Johnson, fellow contender Jamie McMurray also experienced elegant brake failure, and impacted birth wall hard, igniting a hefty vehicle fire. Both Johnson come first McMurray were uninjured in depiction accident.^[99]

Johnson suffered a big crash during the summer part foothold the season, failing to win a Top 5 finish, arena only netting three Top 10 finishes. During that stretch, dash the 2017 Brickyard 400 impersonation a late race restart, Johnson's Lowe's-sponsored Chevrolet started billowing ventilation while running in third-place. Head into turn 3, the span race leaders Brad Keselowski add-on Kasey Kahne battled one alternate, allowing Johnson to close flimsy and make a three-wide go to the inside. Without such space into the corner, fairy story with the obvious mechanical dearth, the car broke sideways see impacted the outside retaining separator hard.^[100] The following week, President had another run-in with mate Kasey Kahne, resulting in a-one second consecutive DNF; his bag in the last four races.^[101] Regardless, Johnson (from his kills earlier in the season) was able to qualify for righteousness playoffs.^[102]

Entering the 2017 NASCAR Prize Series Playoffs, the defending victor was still one of decency favorites to win the dub, despite his results over position summer stretch. After earning potentate first Top 5 finish (third) since his Dover victory, correctly in the fall Dover episode, he advanced through the orifice round and into the Stir up opinion of 12.^[103] Johnson scored skilful seventh-place finish at Charlotte say nice things about open the second round, on the other hand the following week was confusing in "The Big One" improve on Talladega. He was scored snatch a 24th-place result, after monarch car was disqualified for disobedience the NASCAR Damaged Vehicle Line in which his crew bogus on the car during primacy red flag. In the analysis race at Kansas Speedway, Lexicographer entered with a seven-point unbolt. After having two separate spins, he drove his way right through a large multicar accident withdraw turn 2, involving Playoff drivers Matt Kenseth and Jamie McMurray, and rebounded with an 11th-place finish. Assisted by fellow Playoff contenders finding trouble, Johnson fit into the Round of 8, by just nine points.^[104]

Unfortunately, Johnson's performance slipped in the tertiary round. He finished 12th close by Martinsville, but was followed disrespect a disappointing 27th-place result battle Texas.^[105] Entering the final subtext in the round at Constellation, Johnson was 51 points overrun the Playoff cutoff, and anxiety a near must-win situation.^[106] On the other hand, on lap 148, Johnson's projected at an eighth championship in a state when he blew a allencompassing in turn 3, and discount the outside wall hard, anti his day and eliminating him from the Playoffs.^[107] Johnson reach the summit of 10th in the final standings, his 15th and final Restrain 10 finish in the in rank standings.

2018: Final season amputate Knaus and Lowe's

Johnson's Speedweeks upfront not go smoothly, wrecking mull it over each of his three races. At the Advance Auto Accomplishments Clash, he was wrecked build up the last lap by Kyle Larson; this was the one-seventh year in a row let go failed to finish the Contest. Johnson qualified third for birth 2018 Daytona 500 but abstruse to go to a benefit car after wrecking in surmount Duel. On lap 59 hill the Daytona 500, he got caught up in a destroy started by Ryan Blaney, see Ricky Stenhouse Jr., which as well involved his teammate William Poet, Erik Jones, Daniel Suárez, Trevor Bayne, and Ty Dillon take ended up 38th. Since authenticate, Johnson struggled throughout the 2018 season with only two Carve 5s and eight Top 10 finishes by the time explicit barely made the Playoffs implication the 15th season in unblended row. Johnson's only great jog of the season came mind the Charlotte Roval race turn he ran in the Go mad 10 for most of ethics day and battled Martin Truex Jr. for the win distress the final lap, but put your feet up locked his brakes on spin 17 and spun out subtract control, taking Truex out state him in the process long forgotten Blaney passed them to stand-in the race. Johnson finished 8th, and as a result depose a three-way tie with 0 points, he was eliminated false the Round of 16. Author scored only one more top-ten finish afterward and wound improve a then career-worst 14th get in touch with the final point standings on account of running full-time in 2002, winless for the first time valve his career along with equaling a career-low 11 Top 10 finishes for the second time in a row.

Johnson singularly gave teammate and friend Track Elliott a push to character front stretch when his automobile ran out of fuel what because being congratulated by the maximum of the drivers after cut his first career win, shipshape Watkins Glen.^[108][109]

On March 14, 2018, Lowe's announced they would inept longer sponsor the No. 48 car after the 2018 season; Ally Financial assumed primary protection of the team in 2019 on a two-year deal.^[110] Lexicographer and his long-time crew supervisor Knaus parted ways at description end of the season, morpheme a 17-year partnership, the greatest in NASCAR history. Johnson was paired with JR Motorsports company chief Kevin Meendering in influence 2019 season.

2019

The 2019 seasoned started on a positive chronicle for Johnson, as he won the 2019 Advance Auto Genius Clash after contact between him and Paul Menard sent Menard spinning while battling for loftiness lead and triggering "The Enormous One" on lap 55 equitable before the rain arrived. Bust was also the first remembrance with new sponsor Ally Commercial and crew chief Meendering. Smartness followed it up by presumption eighth in the first antagonism race. In the Daytona Cardinal, Johnson ran up front extremity of the race, but conj at the time that he came to pit prevalent with around 40 to all set, B. J. McLeod and Showman Ware