Denny Hamlin hates to see Jimmie Johnson back on the Cup grid for a good reason
Jimmie Johnson will drive the No:84 Chevy Camaro ZL1 in his return.
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Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin (Credits: nytimes.com)
The 2023 Cup series official season opener, the Daytona 500, will mark the return of one of the most decorated drivers of all time, Jimmie Johnson. The seven times Cup series champion joined the rebranded LEGACY M.C. of Richard petty as a minority stakeholder and part-time driver. He will be one of the handfuls of open chart entries targeting a slot in the Great American race.
The NASCAR cup grid is eager and concerned to see the legend’s return. Many fans and pundits pointed out that if Johnson failed to impress in his cup return, it would forever stain his legacy as the unbeatable hero of the sport. JGR veteran and 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin have backed this argument and revealed that he doesn’t want to see Johnson fail.
“I guess I dint know what the motivation for him to come back was because he got such a strong legacy and a strong resume. I hate tainting what I am going to think about him if he comes in and struggle, which is the most likely scenario,” Denny Hamlin said.
Hamlin reasoned his argument by pointing out that he hated seeing someone he had placed on the pedestal of the top talents. He added that he hated to race in the Jimmie Johnson era as if not for him, he would have won multiple championships.
“I hate that he is coming back. Just because, the guy that I just put on this pedestal of unbeatable, just super talented, like he was the guy. I always said I hate I raced in the Jimmie Johnson era. Damm, it I was so unfortunate. How many championships I have had if I did have to race against him?” says Denny Hamlin.
It’s not just his legacy Jimmie Johnson is also putting his Hall of Fame entry on the line with the latest move
A NASCAR driver is eligible to be nominated for the Hall Of fame induction two years after his retirement from the sport. He would have surely been a 2024 HOF Inductee if not for the return. The Cup return has made him ineligible for the process, and he might have to wait a couple more years if NASCAR doesn’t make the changes.
Two times Truck series champion Todd Bodine said in a recent interview pointed out that NASCAR should follow the rules and make Johnson wait two more years after 2023. He said, “Well, I’m old school. And I think that to be eligible, part of that criteria needs to be non-active. And whether that’s part-time, full-time, one race, or 10 races, it doesn’t matter. If you are actively participating, you are not retired. That’s how I look at it,”.
He did not disrespect the ex-HMS drivers’ legacy but just wanted the rule to be followed. Bodine said, “I mean, regardless of when he gets the nod to go in, he’s going in. We all know that. Whether it be this year or three years from now, who really cares? He’s going to go in. In my opinion, he’s top three in our sport all-time,”.
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Justin P Joy
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