FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 20: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Carvana Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, … [+]
Within the first a part of this Forbes interview sequence with Jimmie Johnson, we lined quite a lot of floor, discussing whether or not there’s any fact to the rumors he could return to NASCAR from IndyCar, his Chip Ganassi Racing associate Scott Dixon, whether or not Indy vehicles are extra harmful than inventory vehicles, why he was so aggressive final month on the Iowa IndyCar race ending fifth, his seven Cup Championships, and whether or not he’ll nonetheless be racing at age 50. Right here, we cowl what racing was like throughout COVID-19, Johnson’s impressions of the nice Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, Sr., recommendation he has for children desirous to get into motorsports, what he’s afraid of, and the way racing Indy vehicles differs from racing inventory vehicles. Following are edited excerpts from an extended cellphone dialog.
Jim Conflict: The one different NASCAR racers with seven Cup Championships are Dale Earnhardt, Sr., and Richard Petty. Your ideas on these two legends.
Jimmie Johnson: I imply, gosh, being a child watching and idolizing these guys I can not consider I’m in the identical dialog. It’s mind-blowing to be right here with seven Cup Championships, being on Mt. Rushmore with them. I met Dale a few occasions, however didn’t know him. I’ve been capable of get to know Richard over time, and he has been an incredible pal, very supportive. The night time I gained my seventh championship, he got here right down to the vehicles after I used to be buckled in, and mentioned, “You understand what to do, simply get it executed” [laughs].
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DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 14, 1982: NASCAR race automobile driver Richard Petty, left, talks with … [+]
Conflict: You raced throughout a part of the pandemic. It will need to have been totally different with out the followers there?
Johnson: Yeah, it was totally different. We took some satisfaction in that we had been one of many first sports activities to return again, and it was good to have some normalcy after having been in lockdown, how bizarre the world felt for a handful of months. That mentioned, the sporting occasions aren’t the identical with out followers. We missed the power, every little thing the followers dropped at the desk. However by the tip of that yr, followers had been slowly making their means again into the stands.
Conflict: In broad strokes, examine racing an Indy automobile to racing a inventory automobile.
Johnson: In the end, the efficiency of an Indy automobile is way larger as a result of automobile being lighter in weight, and the aerodynamic design. That provides the car double, and even triple, the braking and cornering capacity. NASCAR is understood for having quite a lot of horsepower, however getting the automobile stopped and to alter instructions is a bit tough due to the load and such. With the Indy automobile, you’re driving this little bullet across the racetrack, and it stops and turns totally in another way than on the planet the place I grew up racing.
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Conflict: Jimmie, what are you afraid of, and the way do you deal with worry?
Johnson: I hate spiders, snakes and sharks [laughs]. I’m not so nice at heights, both. I found that on high of the Eiffel Tower with my spouse. I needed to get down, and shortly. I’m okay in airplanes, and I race grime bikes, however one thing went on on the high of the Eiffel Tower. Concern is a part of my decision-making course of, and I believe I work together with it higher than most. That’s what race-car drivers do. However there are positively moments the place I’m fearful within the automobile, fear about issues.
Conflict: Of all of your wins and championships in racing, which stands out as essentially the most particular?
Johnson: Typically talking, I’ve all the time mentioned the primary – my first win, championship, no matter – simply because that’s actually the toughest one. There’s a lot driving emotionally on the primary of something, particularly as a younger driver attempting to remain employed [laughs]. However once I look again on my legacy, I suppose my seventh [Cup] championship is rising up in my thoughts as that second. That’s all anybody talks about now, the actual fact I used to be capable of tie Dale and Richard.
Conflict: What recommendation would you give to children desirous to turn out to be skilled race-car drivers?
Johnson: Simply do it. It’s like something at a professional stage, you need to be totally dedicated, all in. I used to be one of many few who made it via as a driver. However I like this business a lot that if my dream didn’t come true to drive, I might nonetheless be in motorsports, working someplace. So I might simply counsel that younger people put themselves in some path into this business, and see the place it takes them. I believe they’ll take pleasure in it wherever they land.
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