He’s got their attention now! Jimmie Johnson raced past giants like Usain Bolt, Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, Albert Pujols and Kobe Bryant to be named Associated Press “Male Athlete Of The Year.”
It’s the first time in 78 years of the award that it has gone to a race car driver. Imagine your name included on a list that includes Wayne Gretzky and Joe Louis. Now that’s what I call validation.
Regardless of what you think of the Chase, the CoT, or even Johnson himself, it’s a great day for NASCAR. As the sport has tried to muscle its way to the table for a little bit of respect from other sports, this award elevates its profile. Even if people disagree, and you’ve followed the reaction on “The Web,” then you know there are widespread cries of protest. It’s not from critics within NASCAR nation, it’s once again from the outside- those naysayers who deride the sport we follow as a bunch of inbred hayseeds driving around circles.
They may hate it, but guess what they’re talking about? However you feel about the matter of whether or not NASCAR is a sport, the discussion is thought provoking, and who knows? Maybe it even captures the curiosity of the uninitiated enough to cause them to check out a race. It’s like I always ask the critics..have you been to a race? There’s nothing for us to talk about until you do.
For Johnson, it’s a historic honor for a historic 
accomplishment. You could probably make the argument that in Richard Petty’s season of sheer dominance in 1967 that he could have been NASCAR’s first. Perhaps it could have been awarded to Cale Yarborough when he won his third straight title. How about Dale Earnhardt in 1994, when he tied Petty for 7 championships? You could probably offer up a good case for Jeff Gordon with his 13 wins and title in 1998.
Unfortunately, I don’t think the sports community, the writers in particular appreciated what it took to achieve NASCAR greatness in the way they do now. It’s a shame, but the oft-heard phrase applies: “It is what it is.”
To the world outside of NASCAR, he will represent well as a competitor with class. With all the other scandals that are out there, I think we could use a little “vanilla” right now.
From this observer- to 4-time champion Jimmie Johnson- I say “Congratulations.” You outraced champions (Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch), a wily veteran (Mark Martin), and a growing collection of upstarts (Denny Hamlin, Juan Pablo Montoya).
Enjoy your moment.
PHOTO CREDITS- Johnson celebration by Ezra Shaw/ Getty Images. Johnson with Cale Yarborough by Rusty Jarrett/ Getty Images for NASCAR.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Congratulations to Jimmy. And it is about time. Race car drivers have always impressed me head and shoulders above other sports athletes.
Jim and Patrick, DITTO!
Due, & overdue, I always wondered why a guy who stood around in right field, & hit .235 was an athlete. While sports snobs questioned a guy who wrestled around a 3500 lb. car in 120 degree heat for 4+ hours.
It’s a friggin’ MEDIA pole. It’s kinda like “Motor Trend’s Truck/Car of the Year”. Jimmie****Johnson just garnered more money on the pick. He should enjoy this award as much as Obama enjoys his Nobel.
@Mike. Ah man, you know how to hurt a guy. Ya know, it’s not ditch digging I do for a living. Why should the other guys get it?
@Jim. I really don’t think the other candidates are losing much sleep over losing this award to some “hayseed”. Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend a member of the media. Guess you must have had a vote in this.
I’m just burnt out on the JJ Lovefest and NA$CAR overjoyed, like they’ve arrived. But who more perfect to bring NA$CAR out of Hillbilly Land. Oh wait, we’ve been going through that drill this whole decade. NA$CAR trying to elevate it’s self ta hi society. No more of dem loyal suthern folk. We needs us to get ta Neew Yack Citee. Gets us sum respect.
But seriously, the only thing NA$CAR has achieved will all of it’s grandiose efforts to elevate this sport is to put it in the spotlight for the fall. Most people in the sporting community are laughing at those high steppin’ Rednecks that can’t manage to run a sport. And sponsors, they’re not laughing, they’re a runnin’. And all those new fans this award is supposed to attract, well they’ll be down the road soon enough. Just like most of the others NA$CAR thinks they brought on board. Unfortunately, they’re just following the path worn in by the long time, loyal fans.
If NA$CAR would have remained true to it’s roots and told the BIG network contracts this is who we are and who we’re going to be, I believe they would have attracted way more fans. And sponsors could have sold it just as easily. People/Fans are not stupid. They can see clearly through the BS. DW, and the rest of those hacks, are not a representation of our sport.
So JJ, you just run right out there to dem folk. Talk us up reeaal good now ’cause that’s what we paid you the big bucks for. Thank God ‘ole Ward Burton didn’t win a Champeenship.
BTW…Happy Holidays to you and yours!!!
@Mike. Ward Burton a champion? Personally I would have loved that. I’d give him a ride just to hear him talk. Nah, they never asked me, but yeah, you’ve got excellent points on NASCAR’s attempts to grow, and though I find their desire admirable, I’d be the first to tell ya they’ve fallen flat.
BTW- Merry Christmas, Happy New Year to you!