NASCAR Cup Series: Will 2018 season be Jimmie Johnson’s last?
By Asher Fair
Will the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series season be the final season during which seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson competes full-time in the sport?
Recent comments by former full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver Regan Smith, 34, have sparked talk about whether or not the 2018 season could be the final season during which seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson, 42, drives the iconic #48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports.
Don’t be distracted by these talks.
First of all, Smith, who has driven full-time in the Cup Series for five seasons and secured one victory in 213 career races, even admitted that his prediction was a bold prediction on Twitter when questioned by a fan.
He did, that’s why it was a “bold” prediction 😜. Jimmie is the GOAT in my opinion, he gets to race till he’s 70 if he wants to. https://t.co/MiRBqyQB5M
— Regan Smith (@ReganSmith) February 2, 2018
The fan questioned Smith’s prediction since Johnson just signed a contract extension back in June to remain as the full-time driver of the #48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports through the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season. Therefore, he should drive in the sport for at least another three seasons.
With seven championships, which is tied with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the all-time Cup Series record and is tied with A.J. Foyt of IndyCar and Michael Schumacher of Formula One for the all-time record across these three series, don’t expect Johnson to retire after the 2018 season, especially if he is unable to secure his eighth career championship.
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While it would be easy to say that Johnson’s career is on the decline given the fact that he has finished in 10th place or lower in the championship standings in three of the last four seasons, including the 2017 season, he is still one of the favorites to win the title.
The last time Johnson finished as low as he did in the 2017 standings, which was 10th place, was in the 2015 season, when he also finished in 10th. In the 2016 season, he proceeded to bounce back by winning his seventh career championship.
He should have a great chance to bounce back yet again after a disappointing 2017 season with a 2018 season in which he is a championship contender, especially given the fact that he is set to drive a new Chevrolet Camaro.
Even if he wins his eighth career championship this season, that should prove that he still has what it takes to continue winning. So why would he retire? If he doesn’t win his eighth career championship this season, that should keep him motivated to continue driving after 2018.
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We have seen a lot of talented and popular drivers leave the sport in recent years. Drivers such as Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Matt Kenseth come to mind. Don’t expect Jimmie Johnson to join them this year.