Johnson says He's Driver of the Year

Schwartz Fan · 11-26-2007, 07:12 AM

Johnson says He's Driver of the Year
Written by: Tom Jensen
Harrisburg, N.C. – 11/23/2007

Jimmie Johnson, a man who rarely touts his own accomplishments and frequently tries to downplay his on-track successes, showed some refreshing candor this week by suggesting that he’s earned Driver of the Year honors for 2007.

Asked who he’d vote for in the annual competition, which is now in its fifth decade, Johnson said, “I'd vote for myself. This is pretty special this year. … I guess it's uncharacteristic of Jimmie Johnson to be that way, but we had a stellar year and I'm very, very proud of what we've done. I think that I've earned the title as Driver of the Year.

“I'm not taking away anything from what other drivers have done,” said Johnson. “To be honest, I know my world. I'm not all that up and up on what other drivers have done and wins and things like that. But we had an awesome year.”

Johnson’s 2007 was the best year by a Nextel Cup driver since his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon in 1998. In fact, the two teammates have seasons that were virtual mirror images of each other, with each driver scoring double-digit victories (13 for Gordon in ’98, 10 for Johnson this season), four consecutive victories during the season and consecutive series championships.

Gordon and Johnson are two of only 10 Nextel Cup drivers to win consecutive championships and two of only 15 to hold multiple titles, two statistics that put them in elite company.

“When I hear stats like I have of us winning back-to-back championships and it hasn't been done since Jeff. There are only 10 people that have ever done that. And one of 15 to win multiple championships in the history of our sport, those are all things that help me come up with that conclusion,” said Johnson in explaining why he should be Driver of the Year.

SPEEDtv.com - The Online Motorsports Authority | Nextel Cup | CUP: Johnson says He's Driver of the Year | by Tom Jensen

admin · 11-26-2007, 07:33 AM

I think he did have a great year, but for me it's just to much arrogance, and he took a lot of the "glad he won it all" away with this article, and I can't even picture Jeff Gordon or any other driver ever saying anything like that, but i'm not really surprised that he said it. JMO

admin · 11-26-2007, 07:35 AM

And just think, I'd probably voted for him before seeing this article, guess i'll have to vote for Gordon now.

Scooters · 11-26-2007, 07:53 AM

Does "refreshing candor" now mean arrogant bragging?

admin · 11-26-2007, 07:56 AM

Not sure about your refreshing candor, but IMO it sounds arrogant to me and I wouldn't care who said it, i would feel the same way.

Scooters · 11-26-2007, 08:07 AM

I didn't see any broadcast so if he was doing at least a humble tone and a humble body language that might temper it... but it sure does read like arrogant.

admin · 11-26-2007, 08:27 AM

I always felt it as a major turnoff for anyone to brag on themselves, for anything that they've done or accomplished, but thats just me.

24girl · 11-26-2007, 10:02 AM

Jeeze Jimmie,why don`t cha just give yourself a pat on the back and stop being so humble...NOT!!

That really is a turn-off,and lke you said Kevin,I dont care who says it,its just downright gloating IMO..

admin · 11-26-2007, 10:16 AM

I'm not saying he can't drive, he's the best their is right now, and with 10 wins that says enough without him having to add to it by gloating, as you put it.

wopher · 11-26-2007, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by 24girl

Jeeze Jimmie,why don`t cha just give yourself a pat on the back and stop being so humble...NOT!!
That really is a turn-off,and lke you said Kevin,I dont care who says it,its just downright gloating IMO..

You are right 24girl he has patted himself so hard on the back I think it has went from downright gloating to the BIGHEAD..........

11-26-2007, 07:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
Schwartz Fan Co-Administrator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The flatlands...Where dirt is for farming, clay is for racin' and asphalt is for gettin there!!! Posts: 7,451	Johnson says He's Driver of the Year Johnson says He's Driver of the Year Written by: Tom Jensen Harrisburg, N.C. – 11/23/2007 Jimmie Johnson, a man who rarely touts his own accomplishments and frequently tries to downplay his on-track successes, showed some refreshing candor this week by suggesting that he’s earned Driver of the Year honors for 2007. Asked who he’d vote for in the annual competition, which is now in its fifth decade, Johnson said, “I'd vote for myself. This is pretty special this year. … I guess it's uncharacteristic of Jimmie Johnson to be that way, but we had a stellar year and I'm very, very proud of what we've done. I think that I've earned the title as Driver of the Year. “I'm not taking away anything from what other drivers have done,” said Johnson. “To be honest, I know my world. I'm not all that up and up on what other drivers have done and wins and things like that. But we had an awesome year.” Johnson’s 2007 was the best year by a Nextel Cup driver since his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon in 1998. In fact, the two teammates have seasons that were virtual mirror images of each other, with each driver scoring double-digit victories (13 for Gordon in ’98, 10 for Johnson this season), four consecutive victories during the season and consecutive series championships. Gordon and Johnson are two of only 10 Nextel Cup drivers to win consecutive championships and two of only 15 to hold multiple titles, two statistics that put them in elite company. “When I hear stats like I have of us winning back-to-back championships and it hasn't been done since Jeff. There are only 10 people that have ever done that. And one of 15 to win multiple championships in the history of our sport, those are all things that help me come up with that conclusion,” said Johnson in explaining why he should be Driver of the Year. SPEEDtv.com - The Online Motorsports Authority \| Nextel Cup \| CUP: Johnson says He's Driver of the Year \| by Tom Jensen __________________

11-26-2007, 07:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
Scooters VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,451	Does "refreshing candor" now mean arrogant bragging? __________________ Have you ever felt like doing this to someone?

11-26-2007, 08:07 AM	#6 (permalink)
Scooters VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,451	I didn't see any broadcast so if he was doing at least a humble tone and a humble body language that might temper it... but it sure does read like arrogant. __________________ Have you ever felt like doing this to someone?

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11-26-2007, 07:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
admin Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 4,364	I think he did have a great year, but for me it's just to much arrogance, and he took a lot of the "glad he won it all" away with this article, and I can't even picture Jeff Gordon or any other driver ever saying anything like that, but i'm not really surprised that he said it. JMO

11-26-2007, 07:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
admin Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 4,364	And just think, I'd probably voted for him before seeing this article, guess i'll have to vote for Gordon now.

11-26-2007, 07:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
admin Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 4,364	Not sure about your refreshing candor, but *IMO* it sounds arrogant to me and I wouldn't care who said it, i would feel the same way.

11-26-2007, 08:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
admin Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 4,364	I always felt it as a major turnoff for anyone to brag on themselves, for anything that they've done or accomplished, but thats just me.

11-26-2007, 10:02 AM	#8 (permalink)
24girl 4-Time Champion Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: SUNSHINE STATE Posts: 4,218	Jeeze Jimmie,why don`t cha just give yourself a pat on the back and stop being so humble...NOT!! That really is a turn-off,and lke you said Kevin,I dont care who says it,its just downright gloating IMO..

11-26-2007, 10:16 AM	#9 (permalink)
admin Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 4,364	I'm not saying he can't drive, he's the best their is right now, and with 10 wins that says enough without him having to add to it by gloating, as you put it.

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