7-time champ Johnson caps his career in finale
Jimmie Johnson’s final day as a fulltime NASCAR Cup Series driver began as many have in recent months: He was honored and received gifts.
Avondale Mayor Kenn Weise renamed a portion of Indian Springs Road “Jimmie Johnson Drive. Weise and Phoenix Raceway President Julie Giese showed Johnson the street sign and gave him a replica. Johnson, the seventime Cup Series champion, also got the key to Avondale.
Asked by The Arizona Republic if Sunday was a tough day for him, Johnson said, “No. I’m very fulfilled with what has taken place (in NASCAR) and what I’ve accomplished. I’m ready for that next challenge in my life.”
That, among other things, is competing next year in the NTT IndyCar Series road and street course races.
NASCAR expanded its COVID-19 bubble to allow some family, friends and sponsors to attend Sunday’s Cup Series championship race. Including Johnson’s wife, Chandra, and daughters Genevieve and Lydia; they posed for a family photo next to Johnson’s No. 48 Ally Chevrolet before the start.
And then he finished fifth, behind only the four championship-eligible drivers, including winner and teammate Chase Elliott. Johnson and Elliott stopped side-by-side on the track, facing each other at their left-side window openings, in what seemed to be a symbolic passing of the torch.
“My heart’s full,” Johnson said when he exited the No. 48 to hugs with his family, Elliott and team owner Rick Hendrick. “I’m so thankful for a good race today and Chase winning the championship.”
An emotional Hendrick admitted he’s been reminiscing with Johnson recently. One story that came to mind: waiting on his private airplane to give Johnson a ride home, only for Jimmie to show up in a T-shirt.
“Then he becomes a champion, gets married, has kids,” said Hendrick.
“Through all that, it’s the same Jimmie Johnson. Never a cross word with him.”
“He’s as close to perfect as you can get to be.”
Knaus finishes crew chief career
Jimmie Johnson wasn’t the only NASCAR legend who finished his career on Sunday afternoon.
Chad Knaus, Johnson’s long-time crew chief from 2002-18, ended his career as a crew chief at Phoenix Raceway with Sunday’s race. He will assume an executive role next season at Hendrick Motorsport.
Knaus was crew chief for all seven of Johnson’s Cup championships. The crew chief for William Byron this season, Knaus decided to step away from the role after the season to spend more time with his family.
Homecoming for Arizona drivers
For Alex Bowman, Michael McDowell and JJ Yelley, racing in the NASCAR finale in Arizona also meant coming back home.
Their respective finishes of 16th, 23rd and 30th were not memorable, but Sunday capped off a mostly successful season for the trio.
Bowman, a Tucson native, finished in the top six of the final Cup standings.