“We got on a tear and it all worked out.” Jimmy Johnson, 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion

On Lunch with Jimmy

   December 3, Norwalk, CT--- Jimmy Johnson stood in the midst of a half dozen reporters. He is a well-spoken young man; sure of himself, but not boastful. He is a west coast guy, El Cajon, California; a San Diego suburb is his hometown. He brings that easy, laid back manner with him.  

  When asked about the responsibilities of being champion he thought for a moment and said, "I think being your self. In our sport there is a multitude of drivers personalities, ways guys go about doing things and you just need to be yourself. It’s been tough for people to understand me from time to time because I’m kind of quiet and reserved and more focused on the professional side of things. I want to do a good job and represent our sport and show the country that this is a great sport and we’re standup people, great sportsmen and intense competitors.”  

   This was last Wednesday at the 21Club in New York City. NASCAR had invited two-dozen or so Northeast media members to have lunch with the 2007 Nextel Cup Champion, his team owner, Rick Hendrick, his crew chief, Chad Knaus, and the Rookie of the year, Juan Pablo Montoya and his team owner Chip Ganassi. 

   In two days time the 32-year-old would stand at the podium at the Waldorf-Astoria and be officially crowned. It would not be new to him. He stood in the same place last year and accepted the trophy. “Last year was great,” he was saying now, “ this year I was so much more relaxed and really enjoyed the experience and enjoyed the competition with Jeff and with the other guys on the track. We got onto a tear and won some races and it all worked out.” 

   For the second year in a row he is the face of NASCAR, the reigning champion and he is fully aware of what that means. “I still think out of the active drivers Jeff Gordon really has the voice and slowly but surely is assuming that role.  I can say watching him I wish that he would because I don’t want any part of it. I just want to go out and do my thing and worry about what I have to do with my race team. But there are responsibilities that come with being the champion. You got to take those things and handle them the right way,” he paused for a moment and then added, “Being more mature and confident in who I am and how I fit in the sport is helping me with that. Even last year after winning the championship I was still finding my way into my role. I’m not one to just put myself out there and say ‘hey I deserve this respect, I deserve this attention.’ As the years go by and great things keep happening I felt more confident and I can say ‘I’m a part of this sport, I have had success in it.’ I’ll try to step up where I think its fit.”   

     “Experience brings comfort to everything, he added, “I’ve always been more laidback than uptight. I think that’s been helpful. Its help me deal with pressure situations. Through the chase we’ve been able to step up and deliver and maintain some stability and confidence and be comfortable through it all this last year. That only comes with time and experience.  

Johnson was asked about his team owner. He looked across the room where Hendrick was being interviewed and with a deep sense of pride said  “Rick is so good at managing people and putting things into perspective for everyone and maintaining the integrity for the company like he should. We knew that there was going to be a winner and that somebody was going to lose, we knew that through the year, all four cars would be racing against one another for wins and hopefully all four fighting for the championship and that we could do it in a way that served Hendrick and it was done in a professional manner. As it got down to the end of it with, Jeff and I racing like we were, I think we showed that. And we showed the respect that we have for Rick, the respect we have for the company and the respect we have for one another.”  

  Then someone asked about the three-peat. Did he think he and his team could do it again on 2008?  “That would be awesome. As I said earlier 2008 is a whole new year, a whole new set of circumstances. I certainly hope that I’m back here doing it again but I know we have a huge challenge ahead of us and I want to see what happens.” 

   When asked about his off-season plans he spoke of his trip to London for the Race of Champions then he and his wife Chandra will spend Christmas at home and find a warm climate to “sneak off to for New Years.”  In January he’ll be in Daytona for Rolex 24 testing then out to the west coast for some Cup testing and back to Daytona for more Cup testing and the running of the Rolex 24. “Once I get to January I’m back in the car and there will be a lot of driving going on. I can’t wait. I woke up this morning and was kind of depressed and bummed out because I haven’t been in a car in a week. I want to get back in a racecar and drive.”

Deane Mercier worked in radio for 35 years as a DJ and talk show host. He is currently the Host Broadcaster for Stafford Motor Speedway, a Motorsports correspondent for the Hour Newspaper (CT), as well as Editor In Chief for Long Island Motorsports News.  Deane may be contacted at DeaneMercier@aol.com.

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