Kevin Harvick on Jimmie Johnson has drawn attention to the seven-time champion’s legacy in NASCAR, suggesting it is not celebrated enough. Earlier this year, during Harvick’s own show, Harvick addressed a fan query about Johnson’s record-setting five consecutive championships.
“Winning five championships in a row is insane,”
said Kevin Harvick, emphasizing that, in his view,
“It’s a feat that nobody is ever going to do again. I think when you look back at that 48 team, Chad Knaus and Jimmie Johnson, and Hendrick Motorsports, and the things that they were able to accomplish during that timeframe, overlooked.”
– Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Champion
Harvick further discussed how the sport seemed to move on quickly from Johnson’s era, saying,
“That’s the problem with Jimmie Johnson leaving NASCAR and going to IndyCar. It’s like everybody forgot about things like this. It very well could be the most dominant piece of NASCAR history, winning five championships in a row. …The Jimmie Johnson era doesn’t get talked about like he’s a seven-time champion.”
– Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Champion
Although Johnson’s run was remarkable, Harvick argued that Johnson was often seen as the third driver at Hendrick Motorsports, behind Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon. Both Earnhardt Jr. and Gordon are hugely popular in NASCAR, which may have overshadowed Johnson’s achievements during his dominant years.
Examining Johnson’s Place Among Racing’s Elite
Continuing his thoughts, Harvick offered further insight:
“No matter what your personality is or your situation, if you’re in there with the all-time greats in other sports, you’re just a part of that conversation. He’s part of that conversation, but it’s the weirdest thing ever from a NASCAR standpoint. I think a lot of it has to do with almost being the most dominant guy, but being the third guy in line at the team.”
– Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Champion
Jimmie Johnson’s record speaks for itself. He captured the NASCAR Cup Series championships from 2006 to 2010—an unprecedented five-year streak—adding two more titles in 2013 and 2016. Over his career, Johnson participated in 700 Cup Series races, earning a total of 83 victories and registering 375 top-10 finishes. These statistics cement his status as one of NASCAR’s most successful drivers.
Legacy Beyond the Oval Track
After stepping away from full-time NASCAR competition at the end of the 2020 season, Johnson pursued new challenges in IndyCar racing in 2021. Although Johnson did not claim any victories during his two seasons as a full-time IndyCar driver, his efforts yielded two top-five finishes. In 2023, Johnson made a partial return to NASCAR while also investing in the sport as an owner by acquiring a stake in Legacy Motor Club.
Harvick’s remarks underscore the complexity around Jimmie Johnson’s legacy and raise questions about why such dominance is not brought up more often in conversations about NASCAR’s all-time greats. As Johnson continues his involvement in the sport in different capacities, his accomplishments remain a standard against which future drivers will be measured.
