What Fuels NASCAR Legend Jimmie Johnson’s Love Of Travel

23.04.2024 - 08:38 / forbes.com

Most of us will never know what it feels like to stand on a stage and give a speech after being enshrined in the hall of fame for our chosen industry. Driving legend Jimmie Johnson surely does. Already this year, Johnson has been inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Arguably the most skilled person ever behind a steering wheel, Johnson has a record-tying seven NASCAR Cup Series championships, 83 race wins and an astounding 374 top-10 finishes.

Though he’s not on the track nearly as much these days as he used to be, the 48-year-old Johnson hasn’t said when he’s going to put his car in park forever. For now, the Southern California native seems content owning the Legacy Motor Club team, racing part time in the States while living in London with his family and traveling during any free time between.

During one of those recent pit stops in the schedule, Johnson sat with Forbes Travel Guide to talk racing, retirement and the one Asian country he hasn’t reached yet.

What’s been the proudest on-track accomplishment of your illustrious career?

It’s hard to pick one. I was at it for a while. There were these breakthrough moments in my career where particular victories unlocked the next opportunity. When I go back to my younger days, there are so many moments. But I would say one that’s very logical and one many will grasp and understand is winning my seventh championship and being able to tie Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.

In addition to that amazing accomplishment, that [2016 Ford EcoBoost 400] was probably one of the more challenging races I had. I think I only led a lap and a half of the entire event. But I led the lap that mattered the most. The emotional roller coaster that I went on that day, along with my family and fan base, [was a lot]. I was convinced, with 15 laps to go, that it wasn’t my year. I wasn’t going to be the champion. And 15 laps later, I was standing there on the front straightaway, couldn’t even control myself. I was just floundering around and jumping all over the place like a fool.

You haven’t retired, but you’re not fully active on the NASCAR schedule. Give your definition of where you are in your career right now.

Yeah, it’s funny. When I stepped away from full-time driving in NASCAR, that was my announcement — that I would no longer race full time in NASCAR. The label “retirement” was thrown on me straight away. I spent a couple of years in IndyCar, living out a childhood dream of mine of doing sports car racing. I felt like I would come back to NASCAR, given the right opportunity.

Much like a musician, I can’t put my instrument down. I feel very fortunate that, in my sport, I can continue to do it late into my career where a lot of