Will Jimmie Johnson still have the desire to race after his current contract runs out after the 2020 season?
A lot depends on whether Johnson is still competitive behind the wheel.
Hendrick Motorsports took a step toward improving the performance of the seven-time champion’s No. 48 team by replacing crew chief Kevin Meendering with former race engineer Cliff Daniels in a move announced Monday.
But Johnson, who turns 44 on September 17, will reserve judgment on his future. Currently, Johnson is 17th in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series standings, in danger of missing the Playoffs for the first time in his career. His winless streak has grown to 80 races, by far the longest drought of his career.
“I’m here through next season, and that’s when my contract will run out,” Johnson said on Saturday at Watkins Glen International, site of Sunday’s Go Bowling at the Glen (3 p.m. ET on NBCSN, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). “I’ve got to make a decision at that point if I want to continue on.
“If my fire goes out, or if I feel like I’m not competitive… I think any driver would say that, if you feel like you’re not competitive, it’s time to walk away. I’m only under contract through next year, and I certainly have less years ahead of me than I ever have in my career, so part of my decision-making process, that will play a role, if I feel like I’m doing my job right behind the wheel.”
Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
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