Chad Knaus says Jimmie Johson being denied a unanimous first-ballot Hall of Fame entry is ‘extremely’ baffling
Knaus doesn’t see any driver becoming a unanimous first-ballot Hall of Fame entry if even Jimmie Johnson can’t do it.
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Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus (Credits: IMAGO)
Legendary Crew Chief Chad Knaus is baffled by the NASCAR Hall of Fame voters denying Jimmie Johnson the opportunity to become the unanimous first ballot and make NASCAR history. To the surprise of the entire stock car racing community, four from the 57 membered panel didn’t have the seven times Cup champion as their first pick.
Knaus, the third most accomplished crew chief of all time, was disappointed by the verdict. He was sure that his driver would make history, and many agreed that he was the only driver that deserved to make it to HOF in such a way. Johnson’s former teammate and mentor, Jeff Gordan, was previously denied the opportunity to make history when one voter didn’t have him on the first ballot.
The HMS senior official is quoted saying by The Athletics’ Jeff Gluck that he finds it extremely baffling that the Legacy MC co-owner didn’t make it to HOF the way he should be. He added that no one ever will if JJ doesn’t make it. He said, “If this man right here isn’t a unanimous vote, I don’t know if anybody ever will be.”
At the end of the day, the legendary No:48 car driver got the seat he deserved and did it alongside his crew chief Chad Knaus. Both are making it together on the first attempt; it occurred the way it should be other than the voter’s controversy. Alongside the duo Donnie Alison, from the pioneer class with, join HOF.
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Chad Knaus is pound to make it to the Hall of Fame with Jimmie Johnson
Knaus went on to point out that though he is proud of making it to the Hall of Fame, he is prouder to see Jimmie Johnson there. He finds it an hour to get there with Johnson. He admitted that if it were for Jimmie Johnson, he would have never made it.
“I was really proud of that and probably more proud of the fact that he’s in there than actually I am. But for me personally, it’s a huge, huge day. Very, very proud. Very proud of everybody that’s helped me and it’s an honor to be here with Jimmie, obviously. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Jimmie Johnson in a lot of different ways, so it’s pretty awesome,” he told the RACER.
Out of the 83 victories, JJ scored. 81 came when Knaus was leading the pit crew. He stayed with till 2020, when he finally stepped away from the role after helping youngster Willaim Byron, who is now a championship contender driving for Gordan’s iconic No:24 team, with his maiden Cup series win.
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