Holding A Pretty Wheel · Amy Henderson · Thursday November 30, 2006
Author’s note: Here’s the first installment of my new commentary, “Holding a Pretty Wheel”. In upcoming installments, I’ll share some opinions and some facts, some humor and some drama on the sport we all care for : NASCAR. Look for it periodically throughout the offseason and every Friday once the 2007 season hits full swing.
In the weeks since this year's Nextel Cup championship was decided in favor of Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48 team, I've heard a lot of people complain about him. The reasons why are as diverse as the crowd of Manhattanites currently welcoming the world’s fastest growing sport on wheels for the yearly awards banquet. Some people say Johnson cheats (Get over it; the team served the penalty NASCAR assessed – if you don't like it, complain about the rules). Others say he's too politically correct. He's too much like Jeff Gordon. He wins too much (bet Johnson doesn't care if you don't like that, either – if you compete at anything, you know there is no such thing as "winning too much." He's had everything handed to him. He's too perfect, too unemotional.
There are a lot of race fans who share those last two opinions. That really is too bad, because their opinion of the champ is so far off base, they're in center field. Johnson never had anything handed to him. He had to learn at an early age how to play nice with the sponsors – or he wouldn't race. So, he was always polite and always said what the potential sponsor needed to hear. That’s not arrogance – that’s done out of necessity, to get the big break in today’s NASCAR, where money trumps talent nine times out of ten. And Johnson has spent a long time on the phone this week, making sure he's thanked everyone who has helped him along the way. That doesn’t sound like arrogance to me.
Johnson didn't grow up with a racing career on a silver platter for the taking. In fact, he probably grew up a lot more like you or I than some of his competitors. He spent his childhood in southern California – the gritty, desert, wind-in-your face part of southern California, not the soft, palm-lined, ocean breeze southern California that many people think of. Raising a family in a trailer park, Dad Gary worked construction and drove trucks, and Mom Cathy drove a bus to pay the bills and make sure that their three boys had a little something extra when they could. That something was motorcycles; for Jimmie, it was also the first taste of racing…and of winning. He liked that winning feeling and never forgot that racing – and winning – was fun at its very core. Getting hurt didn't deter Johnson, either – he had knee surgery while most kids his age just skinned theirs. In fact, his father was often more fazed at Jimmie's ER escapades than he was. It wasn't unusual to see them both on gurneys – young Jimmie reeling from a racing injury, as well as father Gary, fainting from having to look at Jimmie's racing injury.
When it was time for the next step in Johnson's racing career, his family simply could not finance it, so the prodigal racing son learned to make contacts and then keep them interested, both by winning and by talking. He had to be respectful and polite to ensure the funding to race. But it wasn't an act – just a young kid being sincere and grasping at his dream. Johnson once co-drove 500 miles at Baja being sick in the car the whole time, because he wasn't about to give up this chance, lest it not come by again. Even then, he was racing every lap as if each opportunity was his last. Nothing in Johnson's career has been handed to him so much as Johnson has reached out and held on tight until he couldn't be denied.
Unemotional, you say? That criticism is aimed at the same kid who jumped onto the roof of his car after a hard crash in celebration, in gratitude that he was just happy to be alive? It’s aimed at the driver who wept in Victory Lane back in 2004, all because he was able to pay tribute to some dear friends he'd lost in a plane crash? Unemotional is tagged to the same person whose charitable foundation is dedicated to kids and families and animals? Who took the ultimate jab at his detractors when he dedicated his Daytona 500 win to them? I've never understood that label…not on Johnson.
Does Jimmie forget himself and rant and rave at NASCAR or his competitors? Not often. Every once in awhile, he'll express an immediate disappointment of the moment in a quiet voice; usually, he’ll apologize for it later. Don't mistake that for unemotional – it isn't. Self-consciousness, yes. Johnson does often seem to possess a small fear of doing or saying the wrong thing. That isn't lack of emotion; if anything, it's an overabundance of it. And every once in awhile, he forgets himself. Usually, it's on the team radio in a jumble of angry words – just the driver venting to his crew chief. But sometimes, it just boils over. When Robby Gordon dumped Johnson at Bristol a few years ago, Johnson stomped onto the track and told him in no uncertain terms who was "number one." With both hands. But those instances are few and far between.
Johnson has certainly faced his share of losses to racing, and he's borne them with grace. His best friend was killed in a crash at Lowe's Motor Speedway just hours after Johnson qualified for his very first Cup race. He raced through his grief that weekend, sometimes crying quietly in the car between practice laps, caught between his dream and a cruel reality. Johnson won at Martinsville only to go from the rush of winning to the searing pain of loss within a matter of minutes when the team was informed of the Hendrick Motorsports plane crash that killed ten of their friends and teammates. He spoke sadly at a press conference the following week and then went out and gave the best tribute he know how – winning that race. He sat in his racecar for a long time in Victory Lane, sharing a tearful phone call with Rick Hendrick and then fiddling with his drink and sunglasses, trying to pull himself together enough to speak to the waiting throng.
And when he won the championship he’s dreamed of since he was a little boy? Johnson clearly relished every moment. He hugged everyone in sight when he got out of his car at Homestead – including the Nextel Cup trophy… especially the Nextel Cup trophy. His voice shook with gratitude. During a photo shoot in New York City this week, he climbed onto a light pole at 48th and 1st and swung on the “Don’t Walk” sign like an exuberant kid. The smile hasn’t left his face all week long.
Johnson wears his heart on his sleeve. He may not say everything that goes through his mind, ala Earnhardt, Jr. or Tony Stewart – that's not his style. Rather, his emotions are in his actions and in his eyes. It's a more subtle display than forgetting himself and saying certain four-letter words on TV or climbing fences in victory celebration; but don't mistake Johnson's polished words for not feeling anything stronger. The emotion is always there… if you look past the surface. It’s never disappeared; not since he was just some unknown kid in underfunded equipment, and not now, when Johnson has the best cars and crew money can buy – a ride that he worked his whole life to get.
Johnson will no doubt be a good champion for NASCAR. He'll say and do the right thing the vast majority of the time, and he's truly a nice person to boot. Of course, fans will still dislike Johnson for being too nice, too perfect, too successful, too employed by Jeff Gordon. But to dislike him for being overprivileged and underemotional? That's a mistake…because it isn't true.
This driver is worth a second look.
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Good article.
Perhaps he is uncomfortable in front of a microphone?
Perhaps he is better than the driver who inherited his fan base.
Hey did you ever see the driver who inherited his fan base digging in his ear, scratching his neck and head and can’t seem to stand still or look the camera in the eye?
Man that’s disgusting.
He’s beating the 8 to a pulp.
Too bad for those who don’t like him. It’s the carryover from Sr. to Gordon and now him
There are quite a few other drivers who stink being interviewed. KK, DH, TS (yeah, he tells it like it is…he thinks he is telling it like it is big difference).
By the way, it wasn’t him that caused that big wreck at Talladega. Play the tape and you will see the #8 and #20 in the back playing innocent.
Thanks.
JJ will be a good champ…his race record since 2002 speaks for itself! Vroom…
I don’t get why fans go on the “he was handed everything,” rants about every driver they want to abuse — especially since that accusation is charged against drivers like Jimmie Johnson and the Busches whose middle-class family background is a matter of record but never against the drivers from genuinely wealthy families like Brendan Gaughan and Paul Menard.
And its rare to hear it leveled against drivers from multi-generation racing families like the Pettys, the Woods, the Earnhardts, etc. — as if wealth earned by racing were somehow purer or more moral than wealth earned by owning businesses other than race teams.
The only explaination I can find is that fans who think that way are simply jealous of others’ good fortune. And they need a good look into their hearts because envy is a very ugly sin indeed.
To M. B. Voelker.
Couldn’t have said it better, or agree more.
Just look at his Cup record and you have the answer, He’s better than their driver, so they hate him.
Fantastic article and it should be read by all the haters…unfortunately, they’re too busy screaming “Jimmie Jawnson should be SHAWT” at their TV’s in front of their 8 year olds.
Jimmie Johnson is a solid driver who benefits from an elite crew and great equipment. His record and championship speak for themselves. Personally, I do not care where he came from, his family background or his relationship with Jeff Gordon and Hendrick Motorsports.
I don’t like him because of his unwillingness on several occasions to take the blame for wrecks that he caused even when presented with video evidence.
I don’t like him for his whining on the radio when other drivers don’t get out of his way (it is a race Jimmie, get over yourself.)
I don’t like him for his actions after the Bud Shootout when he called on Richard Childress to fire Kevin Harvick for hitting him from behind and wrecking him when it was Jimmie’s own fault for running out of talent and braking in the corner in a restrictor plate race where everyone is inches from each other’s bumper.
His actions are what I don’t like not where he came from. Actions define the man and the definition Jimmie gives is not one that I could ever admire.
Jimmie Johnson is a class act and deserves the respect of all NASCAR fans whether you like him or not. I believe that he is a great Champion and will represent the “true NASCAR fans” in excellent fashion. Maybe the haters can at least respect and appreciate his efforts and the tireless efforts of his team. You rock Jimmie…
I respect that he dedicated his Daytona 500 win to me and the rest of the 48 haters.
He chose that to be his victory lane comment at NASCAR’s biggest event? Very classy indeed.
C Douglas get your facts straight before firing…
The comment Jimmie made about Kevin happened in the Gatorade Duels, not the Shootout- the year it happened, Harvick hadn’t even made the Shootout field.
And all drivers “whine” about other drivers during the race- tune to Junior or Harvick’s radio sometime…. Mark has to be one of the worst whiner’s, especially over lap cars.
Excellent article. I never understood the hatred towards Johnson. Perhaps they’re “new” Kenseth/Kahne fans who don’t appreciate the fact that Johnson is very old-school? Jimmie has matured a lot over the years, and even then, he was talented. I remember when he drove that single-car now-defunct team to top-ten finishes in the Busch Series, and the first ASA race I ever watched was one at Memphis where he trounced the field. Jimmie can drive the wheels off of anything and I won’t be surprised to see him pick up many more championships.
great article, Jimmie has been the best driver in the sport since he entered it period! People like C. Douglas have no idea what they are talking about and it shows when they make stupid posts with the facts wrong. Taking blame for accidents? when was the last time Jimmie even caused an accident, not many if any this year while the 20 was wrecking two or three people each week. Sorry Jimmie wasn’t born into money like uhh.. Jr. Congradulations Jimmie and the Lowes team you guys deserved it
First, I’ll state….I’m not a Jimmie Johnson fan. But I do have respect for him as a driver and as a person. This was a great article and well written.
However, I also feel Jimmie Johnson is so closely associated with “Repeated Cheating Chad” (who I believe keeps his cheating tactics to himself…so JJ can cover for him better) and Jeff Gordon….who is hated by many fans. As Thomas Bowles once pointed out to me….JG was the FIRST pretty boy newcomer to NASCAR to start out with quality equipment vs. the veterans who were forced to earn their way to quality equipment. I agree, That was a BIG change to NASCAR that made a lot of fans very unhappy. IMO that change also resulted in other changes to please the sponsors and get the big bucks! It’s truly those changes in NASCAR that long-time NASCAR fans are so disgruntled about.
Although Jimmie also started his career in quality equipment and is a sponsors dream driver, imo, he commands a great deal more respect than he gets.
I agree that JJ is human and has his rare moments of letting off some steam. However, JJ is not arrogant and he is polished. His communication and interpersonal relationship skills are superior to many other NASCAR drivers. And I agree that JJ was wise beyond his years and learned those skills from an early age out of necessity to keep his dream alive.
I totally respect Jimmie’s perseverance and drive to win the Championship. His young record in Nextel Cup does speak for itself.
My issue is with the media promotion of “Repeated Cheating Chad Knaus”. IMO, he should have been excluded from receiving awards this year and truly should have been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR at the Daytona 500 this year. IMO, it’s a hypocritical message to promote this guy as a hero when he has REPEATEDLY been caught cheating over multiple years! IMO, NASCAR really missed a beat by not booting him out of the sport. And now some in the media are promoting him as a hero. Two wrongs never makes it right!
What will happen when Chad gets caught cheating AGAIN? I’m also opposed to Berrier being recognized….for the same reasons. He’s been caught cheating repeatedly over the years as well.
IMO, Anyone caught cheating should not be recognized with awards in the same year they are also penalized for cheating! THAT, just might put a stop to the unfair advantages that some drivers get because their CC’s are cheaters.
It’s one thing to push the envelope….it’s another to blatantly cheat. What Chad did at Daytona in February was blatant cheating! Yes, it was just once this year…but Chad’s reputation as a cheater was established prior to this one situation. And that has put a cloud over the 48 team for this entire championship year. Chad should not be recognized for anything this year imo!
If you disagree fine. I can deal with that with no problem. We’re all entitled to our opinions even if they differ from yours or mine. If you want to respond…please do so as an adult. Give me some valid reasons to think differently vs. childish bashing. Thanks!
Enjoyed your JJ article. I’ve wondered for a long time where the hatred comes from. Last month at Phoenix, I really looked around me to try and understand it. The first thing I noticed is that it almost all came from people in red wearing the #8. It’s definitely not all of Dale Jr’s fans, but a certain segment of his fans who can’t seem able to stand to see JJ have any success at all—even so much as leading a lap! Many of them stand and scream obscenities if JJ even passes Dale Jr on the track. This makes me wonder if it isn’t because JJ has accomplished what they expected Jr to achieve over the last 5 years. Many people seem to resent people who start out like them who have any success. So, maybe people really do relate to Jimmie and all it is is jealousy.
Wouldn’t any of us be proud if our child grew up to be like Jimmie—cleancut, wellspoken, polite and sooo good looking? Jimmie will make a great champion and will represent NASCAR well next season in spite of the haters.
Well I’m a “48 hater” as Jimmie once said, I read the article…..and yep still a hater.
Sunny,
This article was written about the driver Jimmie Johnson. Jimmie has proven himself to be able to adjust without Chad Knaus as well. Seems quite a few drivers in NASCAR are one crew chief drivers.
Give the boy and his fans some due- and if all the crew chiefs who’ve ever been fined and/or suspended in NASCAR were sent home- there wouldn’t be enough of them to run a race. Chad seems to have taken the suspension in stride- it seems YOU have more to rant about Chad than anything else.
Mojo,
Thanks, you’re absolutely correct. My issue is with the media promotion of Chad Knaus.
There is no issue on my part with Jimmie Johnson and most of his fans. Jimmie deserves the Championship and his fans should celebrate his accomplishment.
Yes, you are correct again. The article is about Jimmie Johnson. However, the title of this article is “Hate the 48? It’s Totally Undeserved”. My purpose in responding is to provide a perspective as to why some fans take issue with the 48 team. Like it or not….Chad Knaus’ reputation as a cheater plays a major role in people’s perspective of the team. I may have responded differently if the title of the article was “Hate Jimmie Johnson? It’s Totally Undeserved”.
To further clarify…there is a fine line between pushing the envelope and blatant cheating. It’s called integrity. Chad’s reputation has crossed that line of integrity repeatedly including this year. Personally, I don’t recall so many blatant cheating penalities this year that created a Crew Chief shortage at the track. But you’re entitled to your opinion.
My point, is that if a CC is caught blatantly cheating and penalized for it….he shouldn’t be recognized or receive any awards in the same year that he’s penalized. That goes for Todd Berrier too….and I’m an RCR fan!
At least give me some credit for recognizing that Jimmie is a talented driver and deserving of the Championship. That’s more than you’ll get from most people you take issue with this year’s Championship team!
Perhaps, I didn’t give Jimmie Johnson enough accolades. But truly, I admire and respect Jimmie Johnson and believe that he is deserving of the Championship title. I’m happy for Jimmie and his fans!
That is a great article about our 2006 Nascar Nextel Cup Champion. Jimmie will represent this sport we love well.
In reality its not so much JJ people have gripes with. Its the fact that he drives for a team that gets favorable calls from NASCAR themselves and receives slaps on the wrist for infractions…...why wouldn’t people resent him and HMS?
Good article, but it still doesn’t change my veiws on JJ or the team he drives for sadly.
The wrong driver won. The penalty was not severe enough. Teams that cheat and have a history of it should be sitting out of events including the sponsor to send a message that cheating, fudging the rules or playing gray areas will not be tolerated!
Great article, Amy.
But you know, a big part of this sport is heroes and villains. We all have our heroes. And we all have the ones we like to see trailing white smoke.
The Red Army hates JJ for the same reason they hate Gordon. An Earnhardt is gonna have a tough time winning the Cup while those guys are around.
Johnson sealed his fate when he blamed Jr. for pushing him into Sadler starting the wreck at the fall ‘Dega race last year. When video showed that Jr. never touched him and that Jimmie had in fact started the wreck himself he decided then that he should apologize. Had he blamed anyone but the 8 he would probably be somewhat better received by all of those red-clad fans in the stands and at home.
It can’t help that he took out Jr. again this year. He was quick to throw blame at Vickers who did indeed spin him but it was obvious that the plan was that Vickers was to push Johnson past Earnhardt on the final lap. Had it worked, I doubt Jimmie would have even thanked him. When it didn’t he shifted the blame.
Cowardly and classes.
1-800-BITE-ME48
Hate is a strong word. I do not hate JJ, I just cannot seem to like him. I am a die hard Bow Tie fan and he has produced a lot of wins for the Bow Ties, but I still just do not like him. He always blames everyone else and he is too polished. I wished he drove a Ford he would be a lot more fun to “hate” then.
Good article. JJ is the 2006 Champion. I hope he grows up in 2007 and accepts responsibility when he is the cause. He could stop whining more, too.
I think everybody misses the point. It is not whether you love or hate JJ, the point is you know he is there.
History lesson for all you newcomers. I have been going to Talladega for years. In the days of Davey Allison, Talladega roared in approval when the 28 Texaco went to the lead. Earnhardt was booed just as boisterously. Then, that fateful helicopter crash and everything changed. July 93, the 3 car dominates and wins the race. From that point on, Dale was the man. Most of you only remember the larger than life hero, not the supervillian or the foil.
About that time, enters Jeff Gordon. When he starts winning every race, out come the boobirds. He is beating the 3 car. He doesn’t like being booed, and says so publicly. Earnhardt tells him, man, i’ve been on both sides of it. If they are cheering or booing, at least they know you are in the race.
Excellent Amy! And so true! Those of us who watch Jimmie closely always see the emotion under the surface even when he is using his best PC voice and face for the media or sponsers.
Jimmie has won more races in the last 5 years than any single other driver and the fans of other drivers can’t stand that so they boo. Just the way it is.
Keep on making history Jimmie!
Jimmie has more than once admitted he’s made mistakes and he doesn’t try to wreck someone to keep them from passing on the track. Not once has he tried to run someone up into the wall, nor flatten anyone’s tires. He has been a clean racer for most of the 5 years he’s raced- many drivers cannot make that claim. I dont believe I’ve seen JJ cause a caution intentionally to keep from going a lap down. I have never seen him punt another driver out of the way either- he had the opportunity to do that to Kevin at Phoenix. If the roles had been reversed, Kevin wouldn’t have backed off.
Excellent article. Jimmie will make an excellent Champion this year. Jimmie has not forgotten his past, and the people who have helped him. I thought it was wonderful that he remembered to thank the Herzogs during his speech at the banquet. Jimmie shows class both on and off the race track.
Contact Amy Henderson
Recent articles from Amy Henderson:
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