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Jimmie Johnson: Driver of the Year

Sporting News, The, Dec 6, 2004 by Lee Spencer

It was a year like no other because of the inaugural Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup. It came down to the final race. First and third place were separated by 21 points heading into that race; it was anyone's championship to win. Although Kurt Busch held on to first place, Jimmie Johnson--who finished second to Greg Biffie in the race and shaved 10 points off Busch's lead, falling eight short--was chosen in a vote by his fellow competitors as the fourth annual SPORTING NEWS Driver of the Year.

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"That's cool," says Johnson, who finished second in points for the second year in a row. "That means a lot, especially since it's decided on by everybody in the garage area. You work week in and week out, and you don't know if the accomplishments you achieve are being noticed, whether your effort is respected or what others' opinions are of you. That really means the world to me. That's just incredible. I had no idea they thought that much of me."

It would be hard not to. Not only is Johnson a very likable guy, he's a hard charger. He never--never--gives up. Time and again, as adversity put every obstacle possible in front of Johnson, he remained relatively calm and battled back. When crew chief Chad Knaus suggested Johnson should settle for a top five or a top 10 or perhaps just finish a race, J.J. raced harder.

"For whatever reason, the way we go about it, the way we believe in each other and the way we interact, it works for us," says Johnson, who led Cup racers with eight victories and 20 top fives. "There is no right or wrong. You get the results, and it all works out for you. That's the way it's been for the last three years."

Jimmie Johnson: Driver of the Year

Sporting News, The, Dec 6, 2004 by Lee Spencer

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