Two times NASCAR champion believes Jimmie Johnson is not eligible to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2024

Jimmie Johnson’s fellow seven times Cup Champions, Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, were part of the first inductees to the Hall of Fame.

Two times NASCAR champion believes Jimmie Johnson is not eligible to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2024

Jimmie Johnson (Credits: NASCAR.com)

Jimmie Johnson is arguably the greatest driver in the history of NASCAR and one of the worthiest Hall of Fame inductees. Johnson, who retired from Cup racing in 2020, would have been eligible in 2023 for the Class of 2024, but with his return to NASCAR as owner-driver with LEGACY M.C., his eligibility has been questioned.

Two times Truck series champion Todd Bodine in a recent interview he gave to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, claimed that the veteran driver is not eligible to be inducted in 2024. He backed his argument by arguing that Johnson isn’t fully retired and urged NASCAR to abide by the law they have set for themselves.

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“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,” Todd Bodine said.

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Jimmie Johnson is a driver NASCAR can afford to break its laws, and it will be a great honor for his legacy if he is officially inducted to the top of the sport’s royalty. Bodine doesn’t overlook anything Johnson has achieved in NASCAR.

“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,” says Todd Bodine.

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Todd Bodine presents solid arguments for Jimmie Johnson’s non-eligibility

Todd Bodine
Todd Bodine

Todd Bodine argued that the Hall of Fame is all about honoring the legacy an athlete left behind after retirement, regardless of the sport. He pointed out that no one should be eligible while running professional races in the premier division. He added that Johnson has to wait two more years after the 2023 season to qualify for the selection process.

“Now I know that there’s going to be people that think the other way because he was retired, he was eligible, he met all the criteria. But to me, being in the Hall of Fame is about retirement. It’s about the legacy of what you’ve done in the sport, whether it be racing, football, baseball, or hockey. It doesn’t matter,” Todd Bodine said.

“What your past is, and what your legacy is in that sport? I just think that, say, he doesn’t run anymore. This is his last year. Six races. Whatever he runs. He’s not going to run anymore. Officially says I’m retired. I’m not going to do this anymore professionally, then I think he should start his two years and then be eligible after that,” Todd Bodine added.

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