Tony Stewart is one of the greatest NASCAR drivers ever. The glamour of his trophy cabinet is surpassed only by its glory. His wins seem even more prestigious when we consider the quality of opposition that he had to surpass to bring home those trophies. An opposition that included a legend even higher in stature than Tony himself.    

It is impossible to make an argument denying Stewart’s legacy. He is one of only 35 drivers who have won the Cup Series, and one of only eight who have done it thrice. However, those who didn’t witness him in his prime fail to understand that he was racing against a man who won the series 7 times—Jimmie Johnson.

When Stewart won his second Cup Series in 2005, he was probably unaware of the butterfly effect it would put into place. In 2006, Johnson won his first Cup Series and went on to win the next four. Ironically enough, his streak was ended by Stewart in 2011.

The budding Tony Stewart–Jimmie Johnson relationship

The two drivers shared a great relationship off the tracks. Johnson gave Stewart his seventh Championship-winning helmet in 2016, which the latter continues to treasure to this day. 

When asked by RACER magazine if he still has the priceless memorabilia, he said, “Oh God, yeah, absolutely. I still tell Jimmie, I view that helmet that it’s on loan from him and I’ve always told him, ‘That helmet will never go anywhere.’ If there’s a day when he decides he wants it back, I’ll hand deliver it to him personally.

“That’s a significant helmet in the history of this sport and that’s something I cherish. The value of it isn’t because of what it is. It’s because of who it came from and the fact that it was a personal gift from him.”

Jimmie Johnson’s Tribute to Closest Friend Who Died a Tragic Death Captured in the Most Touching Manner

What some might not know is that Stewart taught Johnson the secrets of running a successful race in Martinsville. In other words, in every Johnson win, there was a small Stewart win too.

Comparisons with Dale Earnhardt Sr

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Statistically, Jimmie Johnson finds himself mentioned in the same breath as Dale Earnhardt Sr and Richard Petty. It is difficult to top that but there have been some kind words the HMS driver has received over the years.

In 2010, Bobby Allison said to Sports Illustrated magazine, “Jimmie may just be the best there’s ever been. He has no weaknesses. He’s just so smooth on the track, like he’s not even trying. Nothing fazes him.” To be complimented in that manner by none other than Allison is a feat in itself.

Similarly, Stewart had once remarked, “He was just a machine. You couldn’t rattle the guy. It didn’t matter what you did; he focused on what he was doing and didn’t care what you were doing around or behind him.

“If Dale (Earnhardt) Sr. was around during his era of championships, he would not have been able to rattle Jimmie Johnson. He just wouldn’t. Jimmie is just that solid. He had that much confidence, he had that much ability, and it wasn’t that he did anything special that others didn’t do, he just did it consistently over and over.”

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High praise from two legends of the sport just shows how universally respected Johnson’s driving ability is and will always be. A true master of his art!