Johnson film wig wasn’t scripted
The hilarity of Jimmie Johnson wearing a colorful wig before and after his latest NASCAR victory — and stoically conducting interviews, including live on Fox, with it on — gave the movie Madagascar 3 untold exposure.
A stroke of marketing genius by a savvy five-time champion who knows the importance of racing’s sponsorship side? Not exactly. Adorning the now-famous wig (which is worn by the Chris Rock-voiced animal character in the movie trailer) was an impromptu decision by Johnson, who got it from a young girl two hours before Sunday’s FedEx 400 at Dover International Speedway. The wig was in a gift bag the girl made for Johnson’s daughter, Genevieve, during a joint DreamWorks Animation and Lowe’s event, where kids were building wooden replicas of the No. 48 Chevrolet.
“I wore it to driver introductions just to get a laugh,” Johnson told USA TODAY Sports on Monday. “It was too good of an opportunity to pass up. The funniest part was watching the other drivers; they had a hard time talking to me with it on. I forgot it was on after a while.”
Just before the race, interior mechanic Bart Apple asked the driver if he should bring the wig to victory lane. “I said, ‘Absolutely!’ ” Johnson recalled.
Johnson followed with a dominant performance. It’s no wonder he would later call it a fun day after his Madagascar 3 Chevy led 289 of 400 laps. His comedy routine was infectious; crewmembers soon requested their own wigs. Engine tuner John Boydston wore one while catching tires on pit stops.
In victory lane, several wigs with tufts of pink, blue and yellow could be seen atop the heads of No. 48 crewmembers. Even intense crew chief Chad Knaus temporarily wore one.
Johnson’s wig got soaked with celebratory beer and champagne; it didn’t come off until he got to his motor home.
But the wig won’t make it to Genevieve. On Tuesdays, Johnson typically gives away his race hat to one of his nearly 236,000 Twitter followers. Today? He’ll take to the website to give away perhaps the most renowned headgear he’s ever worn.
“Who would’ve thought a wig would have such an impact?” Johnson said.