By NICK VILLALOBOS, Editor in Chief
Following my ascent into the NASCAR fandom in 2006, I followed Jimmie Johnson and the rest of the 48 team for every race for the next decade.
I watched as Johnson went door-to-door with his teammate and mentor, Jeff Gordon, for 10 straight weeks during the 2007 NASCAR chase for the championship and claimed his second straight championship.
Next, I watched as he battled the likes of Carl Edwards and Jeff Burton in 2008 all season long and went on to tie the great, Cale Yarborough, with three straight NASCAR championships at the conclusion of the season.
Following the record-tying three straight championships for Johnson and the 48 team, I watched as they continued their championship streak in 2009 and 2010 and became the first team ever to win five straight championships in the sport.
Then following the “5-peat,” as it is now known, I watched as Johnson moved one step closer to tying the all-time championship win record of seven titles in 2013 as he and the team returned to championship form after a two year dry spell and claimed their sixth NASCAR Sprint Cup championship.
Finally, after living with the nickname “6-time” for three years, Johnson and the team achieved a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since the late and great Dale Earnhardt Sr. last did it in 1994, which was win a seventh NASCAR championship this year.
After having many ups and downs this season, Johnson joined Earnhardt and other NASCAR great, Richard Petty, as the only seven time champions in the sport.
Johnson told Knaus shortly after winning the championship this year he would like to get a record-setting eighth NASCAR championship. If he does he would solidify himself as the all-time championship win leader and become a NASCAR great all by himself.