Not unanimous but undeniable: Jimmie Johnson is a first-ballot NASCAR Hall of Famer
Jimmie Johnson wasn’t a unanimous selection to enter NASCAR’s most prestigious room — a baffling decision to some considering his dominance throughout his 18 years in the Cup Series.
Did that matter to Johnson?
“I guess I’d love to know who they are,” Johnson said of those who didn’t vote for him. He made the comment with a chuckle and the crowd in the NASCAR Hall of Fame lobby in uptown Charlotte laughing along with him. “Why wouldn’t I?”
He then added with a professional smile: “But no, it doesn’t matter.”
Johnson was officially voted in as a first-ballot Hall of Famer on Wednesday, an unsurprising and deserved crowning achievement for one of the sport’s most accomplished drivers. He was joined by his crew chief, Chad Knaus, and Donnie Allison — all of whom were chosen from the 15 NASCAR figures nominated for the sport’s Hall of Fame 2024 class.
Their induction ceremony will be Jan. 19.
That Johnson — a seven-time Cup Series champion with 83 Cup wins to his name — wasn’t a unanimous selection was an immediate discussion.
He received 93% of the vote. That means that of the 57 votes cast during Wednesday’s election — an electorate made up of track owners, media, the previous year’s champion (Joey Logano) and other NASCAR dignitaries — only four didn’t vote for Johnson.
There is still no unanimous selection in NASCAR Hall of Fame history.
Knaus, his crew chief, was asked if he was baffled at the fact that Johnson didn’t receive every vote he could. He responded without hesitation.
“Extremely,” Knaus said. “I remember there was somebody when (Jeff) Gordon went in, there was a big story that somebody voted against or didn’t pick Gordon because they didn’t want it to be unanimous.”
Knaus then pointed to Johnson: “If this man right here isn’t a unanimous vote, I don’t know if anybody ever will be.”
In the prime of his 18 years full-time racing in NASCAR’s premier series, Johnson went on an unprecedented run that included winning five straight Cup titles from 2006 to 2010. The California-cool purveyor of Hendrick Motorsports dominance won his seventh and final title in 2016 — placing him alongside Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty for most in the sport’s 75-year history.
Johnson’s Cup career began in 2002. He retired at the end of 2020, at age 44, and tried his hand racing other cars in other series. But he was pulled back to NASCAR in November 2022 — this time as an owner for the fledgling Legacy Motor Club.
His foray into ownership hasn’t been without its bumps. Legacy Motor Club hasn’t yet won a race this year, and its two promising young drivers, Erik Jones and Noah Gragson, are 28th and 33rd in the NASCAR points standings. Johnson himself has raced in select Cup events this year in the 84 car — all to varying avail.
There were questions regarding Johnson’s Hall of Fame eligibility timeline earlier this year, considering he has raced in NASCAR between his full-time driving retirement and his endeavors in 2023. Per the Hall of Fame, drivers are eligible for the honor if they have “competed in NASCAR for at least 10 years and have been retired for two.”
Those questions were answered in July, when he landed on the ballot.
And his body of work took care of everything else Wednesday.
“I mean, he’s the nicest guy, the best racecar driver to sit in a NASCAR racecar, a huge contributor to our sport, contributes to society in so many different ways with the Jimmie Johnson Foundation,” Knaus said.
“He’s the ideal picture of a Hall of Fame inductee.”
Knaus joins teammate in NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2024
Johnson, Allison and Knaus were chosen from the 15 nominees eligible for Hall of Fame selection.
A quick review of how the voting works: There are 10 nominees on the “Modern Era” ballot and five on the “Pioneer” ballot — the latter of which is designed to honor those whose careers began more than 60 years ago. Two Modern Era candidates and one Pioneer candidate are selected annually.
The voting panel this year submitted 57 ballots. That included the Fan Vote.
Knaus’s legacy is inherently intertwined with Johnson’s. Knaus was there for all of the success that came with the 48 car during Johnson’s career. Knaus said after the election that he didn’t expect to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
“Honestly, I was a little surprised,” Knaus said. “I obviously felt Jimmie was a lock. But the other people who were up for nomination were very worthy and had contributed to the sport in many ways. I really didn’t know.”
Johnson confirmed Knaus’s expectation and also said he dismissed it as silly.
Johnson was right.
“When I knew my name was going on the ballot, I found Chad’s was as well,” Johnson said, “and this has been in the back of my mind, hoping this opportunity would come about. I know I’m very proud of what we accomplished, and the fact that we get to enjoy this moment and relive all those moments together makes this all the more special.”
Donnie Allison also makes cut
Allison was also honored Wednesday. He was the 1967 Cup Rookie of the Year, as well as the winner of 10 Cup races.
Even if the records fade, his popularity during an important time in the sport will always be remembered. He was a member of the beloved “Alabama Gang” — drivers Neil Bonnett, Donnie and Donnie’s brother, Bobby — and was also part of one of the most important moments in NASCAR history: the post-race fight at the 1979 (and first live-televised) Daytona 500.
Now that two of the three members of the Alabama Gang are in the hall, is Neil next?
“Well, first of all, let me say that it was a great honor to be a part of the Alabama Gang,” Allison said. “And to be in the Hall of Fame — it’s hard for me to say my feelings right now, because they’re up in my throat — but I would definitely vote for Neil to be in the Hall of Fame.”
One final NASCAR acknowledgment
Alongside the Hall of Famers, the electorate also voted Janet Guthrie as the winner of the Class of 2024’s Landmark Award.
Guthrie was the first woman to compete in a NASCAR Cup Series superspeedway race. Those in the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Wednesday spoke of her presence in the sport’s most sacred room with reverence.
“She’s a true pioneer in our industry,” Knaus said.
Said Johnson: “I certainly have the utmost respect for her passion and her pursuit to go fast and go racing. It’s really an honor to go with her.”
Editor’s note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated how often NASCAR Hall of Fame classes are inducted. They are inducted annually, not once every two years.
This story was originally published August 2, 2023 at 6:15 PM.
