“You’re a Role Model for All of Us” – Numerous Emotional Tributes Pour in for Jimmie Johnson

After two remarkable decades, Jimmie Johnson has officially ended an era of greatness. Ahead of his final NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, the tributes simply poured for Johnson.

Crew chief Cliff Daniels said on the radio, “Jimmie Johnson, you are an amazing man. Amazing champion. You’re a role model for all of us. Let’s get this thing done for one final time today.”

In terms of race performance, Jimmie Johnson managed to claw his way up from 26th on the grid to 5th place. This placed him as the best of the rest behind the Championship 4.

By lap 262, the NASCAR veteran found himself running in 6th place. Before long, he managed to grab that 5th place before settling down and taking the checkered flag for the final time.

Jimmie Johnson was quite emotional in his final race

When he crossed the finish line, he crowed back on the radio that it was a great way to finish off the race. Then, when Daniels encouraged him to do some burnouts to celebrate his final race, Johnson showed his class once again.

He insisted that the donuts were reserved for Chase Elliott. Instead, he would simply settle for waving to the crowd. With that, Johnson would bow out of the sport for good. Even though Johnson’s retirement was a huge moment, he refused to steal the limelight from teammate and new champion, Chase Elliott.

When he spoke after the race, he insisted that he was thrilled that Elliott won his first championship. Apparently, Jimmie Johnson and Chase Elliott go way back in their friendship. This is because he has been friends with Chase’s father, Bill Elliott, for many years.

According to Johnson, Chase used to be quite shy and reserved, but they soon got along and he took him under his wing. That being said, he is proud of how Elliott has grown over the years.

Coming back to Johnson himself, the fans definitely made the departing driver feel loved. He got a standing ovation from spectators during the pre-race introduction, all of whom will miss him dearly.