“None of this would have happened”: When Jimmie Johnson revealed who has the “biggest stake” in shaping his legendary NASCAR career

NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson had a remarkable career, marked by seven Cup Series championships, tying him with legends Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, 83 career wins, and an unshakable reputation as one of the sport’s greatest drivers. But Johnson once revealed that none of his achievements would have been possible without a key group of people who helped to shape his path early in his career.

Herzog Motorsports played a crucial role in Johnson’s career development, helping him make the crucial leap from off-road racing to asphalt tracks. His rise from an off-road racer to becoming the record-tying seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion is one of the most incredible journeys in the sport.

During an interview with Jeff Gluck in 2013, Jimmie Johnson named the pivotal figures who shaped his path and gave him the opportunity to become one of NASCAR’s greats. The California native raced with Herzog Motorsports in the ASA National Tour and Xfinity Series in the late 1990s, which caught the attention of Jeff Gordon and HMS owner Rick Hendrick, the partnership that ultimately launched Johnson’s legendary NASCAR career.

Here’s what the NASCAR Hall of Famer said:

"Man, it is so tough to pick one, because I've had a lot of people help me. I guess if I didn't meet Stan, Randy and Bill Herzog and start driving for them in their off-road truck, none of this would have happened. If the Herzogs didn't take me off-road racing and then decide to go ASA racing, I don't know how I would have made the transition from dirt to asphalt."

"And then from ASA, they created that Nationwide team — which got me noticed by Jeff (Gordon) and Rick (Hendrick). So they've got the biggest stake in it all."

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Jeff Gordon once revealed his off-track bond with Jimmie Johnson

Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon together have won multiple races for Hendrick Motorsports during their time. Despite being competitors, they shared a remarkable bond both on and off-track. The friendship of Gordon and Johnson started in the early 2000s when the California native joined HMS. Gordon was already a four-time champion at that time.

Eight years ago, during an interview with Sports Illustrated, Gordan spoke about his off-track bond with Johnson and said:

“I mean, I had never really created a friendship within the sport, and Jimmie, I saw him as this great young talent he was coming to Hendrick Motorsports, and we were fortunate to have him coming on board. But we started just hanging out a lot together and having a good time up here in New York. We had some good times traveling, not just around the U.S., but around the world.”

Jimmie Johnson’s 83 career wins make him the sixth all-time winningest driver, which includecrown jewel wins like the Daytona 500, Brickyard 400, Southern 500, and Coca-Cola 600. He now co-owns two full-time entries in the Legacy Motor Club in the Cup Series.