Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus, who spent nearly two decades working together in NASCAR, ended their record–setting partnership before the 2019 season, a move prompted by ongoing struggles on the track. The Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus split came after an unparalleled run marked by seven Cup Series championships and dozens of race victories, but mounting frustration signaled the end of their successful era.
End of a Legendary NASCAR Pairing
After 17 seasons together, making them the longest driver–crew chief tandem in NASCAR history, Johnson and Knaus separated following the 2018 campaign. As a team at Hendrick Motorsports, they combined for 83 wins and seven championship titles, but as performance declined in the seasons leading to their split, both men agreed it was time for a change.
With the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway approaching, Johnson gave an interview to The Arizona Republic, sharing why the split was necessary.
“A lot of those emotions came to reality months ago when we started addressing this change. The most current emotion is frustration. We’re not running like we need to and, the crazy thing is, I see the effort on all sides. Just, for whatever reason, we are not getting the results. That’s really the big piece why this change is happening,” Jimmie Johnson said.
Coming off a seventh championship, Johnson enjoyed three wins in the opening 13 races of 2017 before dropping to 10th in the point standings at the end of the year, leading just 217 laps—a low for his career. The following year, performance waned further with a winless season, only two top–five finishes, and just 40 laps led in nearly 9,800, making it clear something had to give.
Personal Cost of a Difficult Decision
Johnson acknowledged how emotionally challenging it was to end such a longstanding professional relationship, citing deep mutual respect and family connections with Knaus.
“It hasn’t been an easy thing to see through. The respect, the relationship, I have with Chad, his family, his history with my family, this is not an easy change to make. But I wouldn’t be in the process of seeing this through if I didn’t think it was going to be better for myself, and for all parties involved,” Johnson said.
A further blow came when Lowe‘s, Johnson‘s sole full–season sponsor since his full–time NASCAR beginning and a key part of the Johnson–Knaus era since 2002, withdrew support after the 2018 season. This marked a symbolic end to a remarkable period in racing.
Struggles Continue With New Team Members
Following the Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus split, Kevin Meendering was named Johnson‘s crew chief for 2019, with Ally Financial stepping in as the replacement sponsor. Knaus, meanwhile, shifted to guiding rookie William Byron in the No. 24 car. However, Johnson’s difficulties on the track persisted.
Johnson failed to win a race in 2019, missed the playoffs, and finished the season ranked 18th, matching a discouraging low in his standings. The story repeated in 2020 as the winless streak continued, and he again concluded the campaign outside of playoff contention. At the close of the year, Johnson stepped away from competing full–time in the Cup Series, marking the end of an era for the accomplished driver.
Legacy and Future in NASCAR
Today, Johnson plays a major role in NASCAR as the majority owner of Legacy Motor Club, taking on a new challenge and occasionally returning to the track as a part–time driver. The decision to separate from Chad Knaus, while fraught with frustration and emotional weight, allowed Johnson to seek fresh opportunities beyond one of the sport’s most accomplished driver–crew chief partnerships.
The Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus split not only closed a historic chapter in motorsports but also highlighted the intense pressure even the most successful athletes face when changes become necessary. Johnson’s path since then underscores the complexity of transitions at the top level of racing—and how legacies can continue to grow, even after partnership ends.
