Jimmie Johnson Reveals the Time He Lost His Cool With Ex-NASCAR Teammate Jeff Gordon: “I Overreacted”

Once upon a time at Hendrick Motorsports, two of the most accomplished and well-regarded drivers in NASCAR history, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, raced together as teammates. But despite their close friendship and respect for each other off the track, there were quite a few instances when things heated up in the thick of the competition.

Johnson, the seven-time champion, who was junior to Gordon described how the tension with racing your teammate can get “pretty intense.” And he recalled one such tense incident with Gordon many years ago.

The current IndyCar driver said, “We had some tense moments in our competing years. Especially when you get to, probably ’07, ’08, I’d won a championship or two. And in ’08 or ’09, we literally, Jeff and I fighting for the championship.”

“We started leaning on each other, bumping each other and I overreacted to a moment in Texas. And as we came down the front straightaway, I turned into him and slammed into the side of his car,” Johnson added.

But Jimmie Johnson admitted that once he saw the video of the incident, he knew he was at fault. Yet he described, “It’s hard to not want to beat your teammate, especially when you’re both fighting for wins week-in week-out.”

Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson now

Since their retirement from NASCAR, the former teammates have gone in very different ways in their respective careers.

Gordon, who retired in 2016, has completely called it off with racing and has instead taken up a role as an executive. The four-time champion co-owns the Hendrick No.48, which was previously driven by Jimmie Johnson. He also holds an equity stake in No. 24.

While Jimmie Johnson, who retired from NASCAR in 2020, is still going strong in his racing career. Johnson, who had his rookie season in IndyCar in 2021, announced to go full time in 2022.

But one thing that hasn’t changed for both Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson is the fact that they’re winners and absolute legends who are still adding to their rich and illustrious legacies.

How Jeff Gordon’s Banned T-Rex Car Was Accidentally Produced by Hendrick Motorsports