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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

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  Debate

Debate

Is it time for Jimmie Johnson to hang up his helmet and make way for new talent?

Jimmie Johnson is one of the most iconic drivers in all of NASCAR. The man with 7 Cup series championships quit full-time NASCAR racing in 2020 and came back as a part-time driver in 2023. Changing his team from Hendrick Motorsports to Legacy Motor Club might not have been the best idea as, ever since his return, he has had some disappointing results.

After the Duel 1 at Daytona, where he finished 12th, it’s been a downhill ride for Johnson. Driving the #84 Toyota, Jimmie Johnson achieved the season-best finish of P28 at Daytona and again at the Würth 400. However, a P28 finish is not ideal for any racer, let alone Johnson.

The man with one of the highest win counts in the sport had an incident during his last race at Indianapolis, leading to a P33 finish. Looking at how Johnson has been performing since his return, fans and critics alike have been skeptical of his racing prowess. Recently, Kenny Wallace took the lead in scrutinizing the former champion.

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Kenny Wallace’s stance on Jimmie Johnson racing in 2024

On Lap 110, just after the green flag waved to restart the race, Joey Logano and Jimmie Johnson were involved in a crash. This crash was triggered by a sequence of events involving multiple cars. Ryan Blaney, driving the No. 12 Ford, was turned into Austin Dillon’s No. 3 Chevrolet by Carson Hocevar.

Hocevar, in the No. 77 Chevrolet, attempted to make a three-wide in the middle, which initiated the chain reaction. As a result of this move, Logano’s No. 22 Ford and Johnson’s No. 84 Toyota got caught in the crash. After seeing Johnson’s result, Kenny Wallace posted a video on X sharing his analysis of the race.

While discussing the events of the race, Wallace was reminded of #84’s unfortunate finish, and he said, “Poor Jimmy Johnson, I love the guy to death, my God. He just doesn’t deserve it anymore.” The seven-time Cup series champion does not deserve such finishes as P33 is far away from what anyone would expect a man with his accomplishments to finish at.

 

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Is it time for Jimmie Johnson to hang up his helmet and make way for new talent?

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That being said, it was an unfortunate event, but it was not the only one. Since he returned to NASCAR, Johnson has had difficulties with pace. The #84 Toyota driver has mentioned not being able to adjust to the next-gen car, which has been the reason for his sub-par season.

However, despite having such a difficult season, Jimmie Johnson has mentioned that he wants to deliver better results to show his sponsor, Carvana, that he is still driving for them. The company has supported Johnson for many years and here is what he had to say about them before the race.

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Jimmie Johnson’s promise to his supportive sponsor

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Jimmie Johnson and Carvana, a prominent car buying and selling company, collaborated to provide significant support to Arsenal Technical HS. On the day of the Brickyard 400 race, Johnson not only competed but also interacted with students from Arsenal Tech HS. These students had the opportunity to meet Johnson from a luxury suite, offering them an exciting and memorable experience.

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Johnson has mentioned that he wants to do good for Carvana, as they have always supported him throughout his career. The #84 Toyota driver said that he “wants to get a great result for Carvana. They have supported me through my adventure in the Indy car and here in NASCAR. I really want to get a good result for them and obviously get our company into just being regulars in top 10, top 5.”

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However, in the end, the plan was altered when Carson Hocevar made contact with the drivers, leading to the crash that ended the race for Johnson. That being said, do you agree with Kenny Wallace that Johnson’s time in NASCAR should be over as he should consider retirement? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.