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NASCAR: Five Reasons Johnson Will Not Win Eight Titles

By Jonathan Pilat

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Sep 11, 2015; Richmond, VA, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (48) looks on prior to practice for the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2015; Richmond, VA, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (48) looks on prior to practice for the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /

Age & Time

Ol’ “Six-time” has become the senior driver at Hendrick Motorsports, having raced in Sprint Cup competition since 2001. While Dale Earnhardt Jr. has got Jimmie beat by about 11 months in age, Johnson has by far spent the most time at Hendrick Motorsports. Johnson, now 40,  has age catching up with him. He and his wife Chandra have two daughters Genevieve (5) and Lydia (2), and surely Jimmie has had to adjust to raising children while competing at top competition.

With Johnson now being 40 years old, his has reached the latter half of his Sprint Cup career, and may have give or take 5 years left on the Sprint Cup circuit. That being said, Johnson has won the Sprint Cup title just once in the past five seasons, with each of those seasons featuring a different champion.The Chase field allows even stiffer competition than in the seasons when Johnson won his titles. His talent behind the wheel certainly has not diminished if any at all, having won five races in 2015. It just may be the case that “father time,” both figuratively and literally, will be catching up to Jimmie Johnson.
With Johnson now being 40 years old, his has reached the latter half of his Sprint Cup career, and may have give or take 5 years left on the Sprint Cup circuit. That being said, Johnson has won the Sprint Cup title just once in the past five seasons, with each of those seasons featuring a different champion.The Chase field allows even stiffer competition than in the seasons when Johnson won his titles. His talent behind the wheel certainly has not diminished if any at all, having won five races in 2015. It just may be the case that “father time,” both figuratively and literally, will be catching up to Jimmie Johnson. /

Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, the legend’s that JJ is chasing, both won championships after passing 40 years of age, so it’s quite possible that he will win one or more other titles. The main difference between then and now was the greater parity in the Sprint Cup level. 16 drivers were not capable of a legitimate championship run in “The King” or “The Intimidator’s” time.

Johnson’s best days may be behind him, with age increasing and the struggles in the Chase in recent years making the possibility of an eighth title more difficult.

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