NASCAR: Why Jimmie Johnson’s stock just went up in my book

This past Sunday in the final round of 16 NASCAR Cup Series playoff race, Jimmie Johnson crashed while going for the win on the final lap.

No matter what side of the fence you sit on when it comes to seven-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson, you do have to respect his actions in last Sunday’s Bank of America Roval 400 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway roval. He put the next round of the playoffs, the round of 12, in the back seat in an attempt to win, and in my opinion, that is awesome.

One the final lap of the final race of the opening round of the playoffs, the round of 16, Johnson was in a fierce battle with Martin Truex Jr. for the win. As the two combatants entered the final chicane of the 17-turn, 2.28-mile (3.669-kilometer) track, Johnson came in a little too hot and started to spin. In the process of spinning, he managed to clip Truex Jr. This move led to Ryan Blaney winning the race.

The best part of it all to me is knowing Johnson’s intentions. He didn’t care at the time about the fact that he essentially washed away his spot in the second round of the playoffs. Instead, he ended up in a three-way tie for the final spot, which caused him to be left on the outside looking in. He will compete in the final seven races on the 2018 schedule for pride.

My three favorite things about Jimmie Johnson

His “celebration” after clearing the sand trap at Watkins Glen

Some say that race car drivers are from a different breed. This statement reminds me of the video of Jimmie Johnson at Watkins Glen International in the year 2000. Crashes are something that happen in NASCAR. In fact, many “fans” tune in week to week solely to see the crashes that happen. Never before had we seen a driver completely clear a sand trap at full speed and blast into the Styrofoam tire barrier.

Johnson’s reaction was everything race fans needed at that moment in time. He jumped onto the roof of his car and threw his hands into the air. It gave fans a sigh of relief that he was still alive seemingly unharmed.

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He destroys the stereotype

Everywhere you look on social media, there are people blasting race car drivers for not being athletes. Apparently all they do is make left-hand turns, in case you didn’t know. However, someone forgot to let Jimmie Johnson know that race car drivers are not athletes. It’s not uncommon to see pictures or read stories about Johnson and fellow drivers cycling across the United States. Not too shabby for a “non-athlete”, huh?

His move Sunday won me over

When you look through the roster of drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series who have been around the block a time or two, Jimmie Johnson’s name stands out. He’s tied for the lead in Cup Series championships with seven and on Sunday he did something that really won me over to say I like him as a driver. He’s been labeled a cheater and that all of his championships should have an asterisk by them. I don’t buy it.

Sunday we saw a veteran driver who showed the racing youth that going for the win is just as important or maybe even more important than making it to the second round of the playoffs. What we need more of in NASCAR are people such as Jimmie Johnson going for the win as opposed to worrying about the next round of the playoffs. That, to me, was way cooler than winning seven championships. His message is clear: no matter the situation, he will always go for the win.

Do you appreciate Jimmie Johnson more as a race car driver by going for broke this past weekend in the race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway roval? Do you think this move will be a lesson to younger drivers that says always go for the win, even if it sacrifices your entire season?