Most of us will never know what it feels like to stand on a stage and give a speech after being enshrined in the hall of fame for our chosen industry. Driving legend Jimmie Johnson surely does. Already this year, Johnson has been inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Arguably the most skilled person ever behind a steering wheel, Johnson has a record-tying seven NASCAR Cup Series championships, 83 race wins and an astounding 374 top-10 finishes.
Though he’s not on the track nearly as much these days as he used to be, the 48-year-old Johnson hasn’t said when he’s going to put his car in park forever. For now, the Southern California native seems content owning the Legacy Motor Club team, racing part time in the States while living in London with his family and traveling during any free time between.
During one of those recent pit stops in the schedule, Johnson sat with Forbes Travel Guide to talk racing, retirement and the one Asian country he hasn’t reached yet.
What’s been the proudest on-track accomplishment of your illustrious career?
It’s hard to pick one. I was at it for a while. There were these breakthrough moments in my career where particular victories unlocked the next opportunity. When I go back to my younger days, there are so many moments. But I would say one that’s very logical and one many will grasp and understand is winning my seventh championship and being able to tie Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.
In addition to that amazing accomplishment, that [2016 Ford EcoBoost 400] was probably one of the more challenging races I had. I think I only led a lap and a half of the entire event. But I led the lap that mattered the most. The emotional roller coaster that I went on that day, along with my family and fan base, [was a lot]. I was convinced, with 15 laps to go, that it wasn’t my year. I wasn’t going to be the champion. And 15 laps later, I was standing there on the front straightaway, couldn’t even control myself. I was just floundering around and jumping all over the place like a fool.
You haven’t retired, but you’re not fully active on the NASCAR schedule. Give your definition of where you are in your career right now.
Yeah, it’s funny. When I stepped away from full-time driving in NASCAR, that was my announcement — that I would no longer race full time in NASCAR. The label “retirement” was thrown on me straight away. I spent a couple of years in IndyCar, living out a childhood dream of mine of doing sports car racing. I felt like I would come back to NASCAR, given the right opportunity.
Much like a musician, I can’t put my instrument down. I feel very fortunate that, in my sport, I can continue to do it late into my career where a lot of stick-and-ball guys in their late 20s and mid-30s, that opportunity goes away for them. So, having this great sport that I can still compete in at 48 [is wonderful]. Believe me, I plan to push it further — as long as I get the green light from family and sponsors.
I’m very interested in [racing in] the marquee events. I’m still very interested in racing and the experience I have in the car. My focus has changed a little bit here, becoming a team owner. It’s been a nice shift for me because it’s allowing me the head space to enjoy the limited schedule that I’m running but also fighting for a greater cause and making Legacy Motor Club stronger.
You mention the marquee events. Let’s talk about the travel to Daytona and Bristol and all these top events. What are some things you do to stay sharp for all the moving around that you do during the season?
I feel like being aware of the time zone I’m flying to and trying to get some rest accordingly has been wise for me. Of course, staying hydrated [is key]. I always load up on a bunch of vitamins. More so than normal. When I know I’m going to fly [I take vitamins] just to try to fight off any viruses that are floating around or exposure I might have to illness.
I’ve always found that when I arrive somewhere, if I can get in a little workout — I’m just trying to recenter myself; nothing crazy — or just go outside and get a nice walk or go for a jog [it’s beneficial]. My wife loves to walk, so we’ll often do a walk. If I’m solo, I’ll go out and just try to get a run in and take in the sights of wherever I am. That grounding moment gets my heart rate up and helps pull me into that time zone.
Have you been able to explore the U.K. much?
Yeah, it’s been adventurous and fun. We know we’re here for a short period of time, so we’re trying to maximize what we have in and around England. We’ve already been to Scotland and Ireland. We’ve been to Holland, Spain and France multiple times. We’re leaving tomorrow for Japan with our kids.
Through the long grind of racing nonstop, my wife and I have always loved travel and have tried to spend time in Europe. Really anywhere that we can go. There were a few summers when my family came to Europe and was based here while I stayed in the States and worked. When I would have an off weekend — there aren’t many in NASCAR — I would join my family and spend a couple of weeks and then go back to racing. We just have a love of travel, a love of culture and a love of culinary experiences.
We’re maximizing our time here in the U.K., doing anything and everything we can. Even if it’s a weekend that we stay in the U.K., we’re off in a car. We’re in the countryside. This last weekend, we were exploring and eating at great little countryside pubs and staying in a quaint little cottage. Something you would never do in the States, right?
Will you be exploring Japan for the first time?
Yeah, first time in. We’re avid skiers, and it’s been tough for me to not chase some snow because I understand the snow is just epic in Japan. But it’s much more of a cultural experience with taking the girls. We’re hitting four different cities, starting in Tokyo and Kyoto. I can’t remember the other two.
Maybe Osaka?
Yeah, I think Osaka is one. But there’s another one. My wife is a gallerist and owns an art gallery. There’s this little town we’re going to that has a permanent art installation that’s on an island.
When you pack for Japan or any of your other trips, what are a few things that are always in your luggage?
Well, being in England, your wellies [or rain boots] and your slicker are mandatory because it’s going to rain. Happens all the time. And that’s new for me. I didn’t need to plan on rain so much in the States.
I would also say my earbuds. I’ve also found that listening to — and you might find this ironic — sound baths or Tibetan bowls is something that’s calming for me and helps me sleep. I found some that tuck in [my ears] that I can sleep with. I pop them into sleep on flights. Or, if I need to try to nap to get into a certain time zone, the Tibetan bowls just knock me out.
Where will home base be when you move back to the U.S.?
I grew up in Southern California but moved to North Carolina in ’97 and have been there since. Charlotte is the town that we live in, and we still have our place there, and we’ll return whenever this adventure wraps.
What do you miss most about Charlotte?
Charlotte’s an amazing city. We’ve really been able to enjoy its growth. I’ve lived there for so long now that I’ve been able to watch it change, grow up and mature. It’s been nice to be a part of that. I’ve come to better understand that Charlotte’s not going anywhere. It’s always going to be there. But what I miss are the people. Been there for so long. I have so many great relationships, friends, coworkers and on and on. I truly miss the people.
You’re scratching Japan off the bucket list next. Where are a few other places you want to go but haven’t yet?
We had a trip planned to Thailand that, unfortunately, we had to cancel due to some civil unrest years ago. And then my wife was pregnant with our second daughter, Lydia. We found out just two or three weeks before our trip. She was so ill with morning sickness that we had to cancel the trip a second time.
There’s still so much of the world to see. But our 20th wedding anniversary is coming up this December. We need to make that trip. I’m not sure if it’ll work for that celebratory trip, but at some point, we want to go experience it.
