Jimmie Johnson
FILE - In this Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003, file photo, team owner Chip Ganassi, left, and 2003 IRL champion Scott Dixon, right, celebrate following the IRL Chevy 500 race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. Ganassi knew Dixon as a quiet kid in a paddock full of superstars when he hired him four races into the 2002 season. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
Column: Quiet and calm Dixon closes in on 6th IndyCar title

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 19, 2020 06:02 PM EDT

Chase Elliott drives into victory lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
COLUMN: Time is now for Elliott to race into title round

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 12, 2020 03:33 PM EDT

Noah Gragson (9) leads the way as drivers compete in the rain during a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
NASCAR champion Busch tries to stave off elimination

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 10, 2020 04:53 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, May 17, 2020, file photo, Jimmie Johnson (48) and Alex Bowman (88) come down a straightaway during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race in Darlington, S.C. The most coveted seat in NASCAR went to Alex Bowman in a Hendrick Motorsports lineup shuffle to replace seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson in the iconic No. 48 Chevrolet. Bowman and crew chief Greg Ives will move from the No. 88 into Johnson's ride at the end of the season. The swap announced Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, makes Bowman just the second driver of the team created in 2001 specifically for Johnson.(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File
Bowman looks to establish his own legacy in iconic No. 48

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 07, 2020 02:33 AM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, May 17, 2020, file photo, Jimmie Johnson (48) and Alex Bowman (88) come down a straightaway during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race in Darlington, S.C. The most coveted seat in NASCAR went to Alex Bowman in a Hendrick Motorsports lineup shuffle to replace seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson in the iconic No. 48 Chevrolet. Bowman and crew chief Greg Ives will move from the No. 88 into Johnson's ride at the end of the season. The swap announced Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, makes Bowman just the second driver of the team created in 2001 specifically for Johnson.(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File
NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington

Oct. 06, 2020 03:47 PM EDT

Alex Bowman, left, Chase Elliott, center, and Denny Hamlin listen to the national anthem before the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Alex Bowman shuffled to the No. 48 to replace Jimmie Johnson

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 06, 2020 03:46 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 19, 2012, file photo, crew chief Chad Knaus, left, reacts with Jimmie Johnson after Johnson won the NASCAR Sprint All-Star auto race in Concord, N.C. Chad Knaus will move off the pit stand and into a management role with Hendrick Motorsports, ending his crew chief career after seven championships. Hendrick on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, announced Knaus will move to vice president of competition. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
NASCAR-NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race 5/19/2012

Sep. 29, 2020 04:09 PM EDT

A flag flies at half staff to honor Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before the start of a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Las Vegas. The race was run without fans due to COVID-19. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
NASCAR Cup Series at Las Vegas

Sep. 27, 2020 06:13 PM EDT

Denny Hamlin, left, and Kyle Busch talk before the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
NASCAR champion returns home mired in 29-race losing streak

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 26, 2020 10:24 PM EDT

Alex Bowman, left, Chase Elliott, center, and Denny Hamlin listen to the national anthem before the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Column: NASCAR's dizzying silly season will change landscape

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 21, 2020 09:34 PM EDT

Ross Chastain is introduced to the crowd before the NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Chastain snags Ganassi Cup ride in busy NASCAR free agency

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 21, 2020 08:26 AM EDT

Tyler Ankrum (26) and Sheldon Creed (2) drive into Turn Four during a NASCAR Truck Series auto race Thursday Sept. 17, 2020, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol

Sep. 17, 2020 08:45 PM EDT

FILE - Jimmy Johnson is at left in a 2019 file photo. Scott Dixon is at right in a 2020 file photo. Jimmie Johnson will transition from NASCAR to IndyCar with Chip Ganassi Racing in a partnership that could pair two of the most dominant drivers of this generation on one team. The seven-time NASCAR champion will work with the Ganassi organization to finalize sponsorship on a two-year program for Johnson to run the road and street course races on IndyCar's schedule. If funding is secured, Johnson would be teammates with five-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon. (AP Photo/File)
Jimmie Johnson teams with Ganassi on 2-year IndyCar program

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 09, 2020 10:45 AM EDT

Martin Truex Jr. (19) and Kevin Harvick (4) race on the front stretch during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
AUTO RACING: Auto Racing Glance

By The Associated Press Sep. 02, 2020 04:33 PM EDT

William Byron stands with his trophy in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Byron heads into playoffs with 2-year contract extension

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 01, 2020 03:36 PM EDT

Jimmie Johnson drives his damaged car on pit road during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Jimmie Johnson proud of ending NASCAR career with 7 titles

By Mark Long Aug. 30, 2020 01:36 PM EDT

William Byron stands with his trophy in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Byron wins to reach Cup Series playoffs, knocks out Johnson

By Mark Long Aug. 29, 2020 11:06 PM EDT

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain participates in a media conference prior to the Formula One Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps racetrack in Spa, Belgium Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020. (Florent Gooden, Pool via AP)
NASCAR races, Wallace says fight for racial equality goes on

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 28, 2020 02:40 PM EDT

Denny Hamlin (11) and Joey Logano (22) race for the lead during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Higher stakes at Daytona mean 'crazy things will happen'

By Mark Long Aug. 28, 2020 01:11 PM EDT

Kevin Harvick celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Dover International Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Jason Minto)
Harvick dominates at Dover for 7th Cup victory of the season

By Dan Gelston Aug. 23, 2020 08:48 PM EDT