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Johnson Had A Rather Good Year: He Won The Prelude!

HAMMOND, IN: OK, OK winning five consecutive NASCAR Championships is considered a “big deal” by some, but damn it, Jimmie Johnson proved his true greatness by winning the “Prelude to the Dream” on the dirt of Eldora back in June. Now, we’re talking about a true legend!

Seriously, the notion that someone anyone could win five consecutive NASCAR championships was unthinkable; until this year. Sure, Chad Knaus may be the best stock car crew chief in history, and Rick Hendrick’s organization is maybe the strongest ever. But still what Johnson does behind the wheel is the bottom line of their success.

The five time Champ’s unpopularity is interesting. Jimmie never seems to say the wrong thing; he has a great family, doesn’t like to get involved in controversy and, to top it all off, the girls think he’s awesome! The real problem, of course, is that he wins too much. And, like other dominaters before him, like Jeff Gordon, Dale Sr., A.J. Foyt, etc., the price you pay by doing your job and winning a lot is losing you popularity.

The problem in trying to root against Jimmie Johnson is this: the dude is a Real Racer! At this year’s “Prelude to the Dream”, a late-model dirt track race for charity at Tony Stewart’s super tough Eldora Speedway, Mr. Johnson put a good, old fashioned butt-stomping on a tough field of dirt track veterans, including Tony Stewart hisself, Kasey Kahne, Dave Blaney, Jeff Gordon, Clint Bowyer, Ken Schrader, Ryan Newman, Justin Allgaier, and Carl Edwards. There is very little in Johnson’s background to suggest that he should have been able to vanquish a stellar group of dirt track wizzards in an all-star event like this but he did.

Five consecutive NASCAR Championships? Nice

Victory at “The Prelude”? Priceless

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