Looking back on his first win at Fontana in 2002, Johnson shared some fond memories and emotions from that day and added that he was thankful to shrug off the pressure of not winning so quickly in his career.
“If any driver could script their first win and the circumstances I think they would choose a path similar to what I went through,” he admitted. “It was my 13th start ever in the Cup Series, 10th start of that season and we were running my home track. You just couldn’t script it any better and when I look back, I’m still amazed that it turned out that way. I’m still amazed that it has turned out how it has to start with.”
“When I go back mentally to that point in my life, I just wanted to win a race. I’ve said it many times and I’m very serious about this with Jeff (Gordon) winning the championship the year before and they gave me his inventory of cars and equipment, I felt like I had to win. Deep down in my heart I felt like Lowe’s signed up because they felt that I could win. There was this pressure, granted it was early in the year, but standing there climbing out of that car and the minutes that followed that the relief that came off of my shoulders knowing that I could win. … I was very relieved and that triple chin smile was more about the relief of all this pressure that I had put on myself to win and the fact I was able to do it very early at my home track.”
Johnson also said that he doesn’t feel like a role model for his home area, necessarily, citing that due to his NASCAR schedule and living in Colorado during the most recent offseason that he has been more out of touch with the goings on back home.
“It’s hard for me to say (whether I’m carrying the banner) not being in town. I don’t have a great pulse on the impact of the Chargers leaving and various current events that take place. Of course, I see it in the news and think of home and have so much pride for my years here and very proud every time I step across that stage, even if it’s mispronounced … I hear that I’m from El Cajon, California. So, I take a lot of pride in that and when I do come home and I am around I can sense and feel the pride that people have for me.”
“The championships I’ve been able to bring to the city, so on my end, yeah, absolutely, I’m very proud to have been and hopefully continue to provide San Diegans with a big smile on a Sunday afternoon. But, I’m a little out of touch with all that is going on [right now].”
In the last year of his current contract with Hendrick Motorsports, Johnson also assured his fans not to worry, that a new contract with team, sponsor and driver would likely be finished up in the near future.
We are always talking and working on the details. We don’t have anything ready yet, but I’m sure we will announce (something) before long. As you can tell, I’m not overly concerned. I feel very confident we will get something put together with Lowe’s as our primary sponsor.”
“Hendrick is my home, so I’m not worried about where that stuff will actually be executed and what point the season it will be executed, but I know it will happen soon.”
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.
Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 23-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
Email Jacob at: editor@racechaseronline.com
Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77
Email Race Chaser Online: news@racechaseronline.com
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