Jimmie Kenneth Johnson

Early career

In 1998, Johnson joined the American Speed Association (ASA) circuit, finishing fourth in the season while picking up Rookie of the Year honors. During this time, Johnson also began racing in the NASCAR Busch Series, driving in three events. In 1999, Johnson continued to run in both the ASA and the Busch Series, winning twice and finishing third in the ASA point race. By 2000, Johnson became a Busch Series driver with Herzog Motorsports, finished 10th in the points standings and third in the Rookie of the Year standings. He won his only Busch Series race in 2001 at the Hills Brothers Coffee 300 at Chicagoland Speedway in his 81st series event.

During the 2000 Season, Johnson was left in a tight spot while racing in the NASCAR Busch Series. Herzog Motorsports, which had fielded Johnson's cars for much of his career, was in a dilemma after losing their sponsor, Alltel to Penske Racing shortly after Roger Penske's son Greg was named to Alltel's Board of Directors. During the driver's meeting before the Busch Series race at Michigan International Speedway, Johnson asked fellow NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon for advice. Gordon kept in touch with Johnson after the incident, and a few months later, Hendrick Motorsports, on Gordon's recommendation, offered him a driver development deal with the potential of advancing in 2002.

Johnson's pre-Sprint Cup career is also noted for a crash that occurred at Watkins Glen when the brakes on his car failed heading into turn one. With his car running almost at full-speed, Johnson crashed head-on into the Styrofoam insulation and guardrail. Surprisingly Johnson emerged from the car uninjured, pumping his fists in the air in excitement.

NASCAR Cup series career

Some of Jimmie Johnson's notable accomplishments throughout his NASCAR career include: In his rookie year he became the first rookie in the Cup series to sweep both races at a track when he won both races at Dover International Speedway. He became the first rookie ever to lead in the point standings (and to date the only rookie to do so). He is the only driver to finish in the top five in the standings in his first five full seasons. He has never finished below fifth in the final NEXTEL Cup points standings and finished second twice (in 2003 and 2004) and won the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup championships. Since his rookie season Johnson ranks second among all active drivers with an average of 4.5 wins a season (behind Jeff Gordon's 5.6) and second in average top 10 finishes a season with 21.25 (behind Tony Stewart's 21.28). In 2006, Johnson became the only driver to win the Daytona 500, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, Aaron's 499 and the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Championship all in the same year. He is the only driver to win three Coca-Cola 600s in a row. He also holds the record at Lowe's Motor Speedway with four straight wins and five total point race wins at the track. In 2007 he tied a NASCAR record by winning four straight races, a feat last accomplished by his teammate Jeff Gordon in 1998.