When Jimmie Johnson started as a rookie in 2002, little did NASCAR folks and fans realize the champion they were about to witness in the coming years. And that debut was special, as in that rookie year, he won the pole for Daytona, swept both races at Dover, and notched three wins that year. But a post-race moment after that Dover domination caught more attention than the win itself.

Seeing Johnson’s fiery form, his crew chief, Chad Knaus, in his excitement, laid out the team’s championship ambitions for him. Without realizing he’s on live TV, he exclaimed, “Who says the 48 team’s too young to win a championship!? We’re f—–g going for it!”

Though this could have invited problems for Johnson, Knaus, and the HMS team itself, an insider recently shared a light-hearted backstory on how the situation amusingly turned around.

When embarrassment turned into team confidence

Insider Matt Yocum recently shared a backstory as to what happened next. Knaus was obviously instantly embarrassed after he realized his expletive was caught on live TV. Yocum shared, “When done talking, Chad looked at me and said, ‘Hey can we delete that fucking part out?’ I said ‘Chad, it was live.’ He said ‘Oh shit.'” 

The matter obviously didn’t end there, as Yocum explained how Knaus got scolded a couple of days later for his quick stint. “A couple days later, Chad told me when he was sitting in a HMS leadership executives office getting reamed for saying ‘We’re f—–g going for it’…the CEO of Lowes just happened to call…perfect timing.” Lowes, the sponsor for HMS back then, would have naturally called to add in their share of scrutiny for Knaus’ actions. But that’s where the tables turned.

“HMS guy said well Mr. so and so, I happen to have Chad here in my office as a matter a fact we are discussing his post race comments. The Lowes CEO said, ‘Well I don’t want to intrude on your meeting but let me just say…. I’m glad he’s fucking going for it too.'”

This unexpected twist not just saved Knaus and Johnson from deeper trouble but also highlighted the intensity and belief driving the No. 48 team.

Instead of a PR disaster, the sponsor’s approval reinforced how Johnson’s rookie campaign was fueled by raw ambition and confidence, the drive that ultimately helped him finish fifth in his rookie season.

Next Gen isn’t Johnson’s thing, and he’s okay with it

Jimmie Johnson may no longer be with Hendrick Motorsports, but the seven-time champion hasn’t stepped away from racing altogether. Now an owner-driver with Legacy Motor Club, piloting the #84 Toyota, Johnson still competes occasionally. But even while doing so, he isn’t fully comfortable adapting to the Next Gen yet. But does that really bother him?

“It’s really about having fun now,” the 50-year-old admitted. “The more time I spend around the Cup Series with this generation of car, the more I realize my chances of having a real shot to win, unless it’s at Daytona or Talladega, are slim. These Next Gen cars are so different, and the guys who do it every single day keep inching away from people like me who moonlight a few times a year. So my goals have shifted. If it helps the team, I’m in. If I get to go out there and have fun, I’m absolutely in.”

For Johnson, racing now is about staying active and helping Legacy Motor Club grow. A surprise win would only add to his legacy. And with a strong P3 finish at Daytona this year, he has already shown that there’s still plenty left in that tank, even if “it’s really about having fun now.”