Over and over, JJ wins at Dover
DOVER, Del. — Hooked on NASCAR as a kid, there was something about Cale Yarborough that made a fan out of Jimmie Johnson.
Johnson recalled being glued to the TV set as he sat on a dirty old couch at home in El Cajon, Calif. He loved Yarborough’s fearlessness and the way he kind of reminded Johnson of his grandfather. Johnson even asked his family to stop at Hardee’s on a road trip because he believed the fast-food joint, which sponsored Yarborough, was actually the race shop.
There was one more thing about Yarborough that Johnson admired.
“His winning,” Johnson said.
Oh, Yarborough won — 83 times. The same number in the record book as that California kid who grew up to become even better than his idol, who’s now 78 and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame five years ago.
Johnson sped off on the final restart Sunday and earned another slice of NASCAR history, winning in overtime at Dover International Speedway for his 11th victory at that track and moving into a tie for sixth on the career victories list in Cup Series competition.
He then tipped his cap — his tribute helmet, actually — in tribute to Yarborough.
“Cale, you’re the man,” Johnson said.
Johnson again made an impact at his favorite track — and he worked hard to take this checkered flag. He was forced to start from the rear of the field because of a gear change in his No. 48 Chevrolet, then zipped past Kyle Larson in overtime on the restart.
“You put that route in front of me, and I’ll chase it down,” said Johnson, who may have had a sense history was ahead.
In addition to wearing a helmet painted in tribute to Yarborough, he tweeted this weekend, “Growing up in El Cajon I never imagined I would have a chance to tie
Cale in wins.”
Johnson, a seven-time series champion, has racked up a Hall of Fame résumé, all with team owner Rick Hendrick and crew chief Chad Knaus. He plopped his helmet on top of the car in victory lane and swapped it out for a throwback No. 28 Hardee’s Chevrolet Yarborough hat.
“I remember going to a race in Oklahoma with my parents, my brother, we’re driving across the country and we pull into a Hardee’s,” Johnson said. “I had no idea it was a burger stand. I really thought when I walked in the door that I was going to Cale Yarborough’s race shop. I was very disappointed. I had a burger and left and understood the world of sponsorship.”
Johnson and Yarborough are the only drivers in NASCAR history to win three consecutive championships. Johnson, who won for the third time this season, is on a drive for a record-breaking eighth. With more wins like this one, he just may leave behind Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty, who also won seven titles apiece.
Johnson drove the entire 10-race Chase last season with a tribute helmet to Earnhardt and Petty.
“Drivers have always used helmets as their voice,” the 41-year-old Johnson said.
His says loud and clear he has a deep respect for NASCAR’s greats.
Larson was followed by Martin Truex Jr. — who won the first two stages — Ryan Newman and Chase Elliott. Larson had his second win of the season in his grasp until he spun the tires on the restart.
“Jimmie’s the best of our time,” Larson said. “Probably the best of all time.”
There was a multi-car wreck on the final lap that brought the race under caution, but Johnson had hit the line needed to make the race official and coasted to the finish.