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CUP: Johnson says He’s Driver of the Year
Written by: Tom Jensen   
11/22/2007 - 07:00 PM
Harrisburg, N.C.
 


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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.