700 races, seven Cup Sequence championships, and 83 Victory Lane visits in 22 years. Jimmie Johnson’s journey with Hendrick Motorsports is the kind of legend that little youngsters fall asleep listening to with a wondrous glint of their eyes. But it surely ought to not be forgotten that his story wouldn’t have grow to be what it’s if not for a loyal buddy, companion, and crew chief in Chad Knaus.
When Johnson signed with Rick Hendrick’s group, he was poised to be their fourth driver. He talked about in a latest dialog with Earlier than The Lights that the No. 48 crew was already crammed with the power of younger expertise and ambition earlier than he made it in. And as soon as he walked by way of the doorways, that power solely went up by way of the roof.
Johnson mentioned, “No matter power or vibe was there, we created it. There was a lot possession in it, and man, we did a lot in a brief time period.” He continued to clarify {that a} core group of individuals had surrounded him all through his profession, and the continuous relationship he had with them is the largest purpose for his success.
An important of all of them is Knaus. Knaus and Johnson labored collectively as driver and crew chief at Hendrick Motorsports. They received 5 consecutive championships from 2006 to 2010, and two extra after that. Johnson appeared again at their time collectively and will solely be grateful to the person for every little thing he’d performed.
“However there’s one man that actually led the crew for all that (time we have been collectively),” he mentioned, referring to Knaus. “17 of my 19 full-time years, and he’s like a — I suppose I’ve two youthful brothers — he’s like a fourth or third brother to me.” Regardless of their success collectively and Johnson’s tryst with continuity, he couldn’t finish his profession with Knaus as his crew chief.
He added, “Sadly, we bought to some extent the place we spent extra time combating, and our crew proprietor needed to say, ‘Alright. Sufficient of you guys. I’m going to must separate you.’ I want we may have made it these ultimate two years collectively earlier than I moved on to IndyCar. However individuals and consistency have been the underside line for my success.”
The ache of separation was healed once they have been each inducted into the NASCAR Corridor of Fame collectively as part of the Class of 2024. It was the proper end result of their lengthy and storied partnership within the Cup Sequence. They continue to be shut associates to today.
