In NASCAR, fading quietly is almost impossible. However, Jimmie Johnson never wanted to fade away quietly. A former seven-time Cup Series champion, he now pulls from the garage instead. Once subtle, now complete, it really took just one line from young John Hunter Nemechek.

In a post on Racing America, the team’s conversations from COTA and Phoenix were revealed. Talking to his boss, Nemechek said, “Oh, I meant to tell you I saw you in my rear-view camera yesterday in practice, like right before we were starting practice with your headset on. I was like, damn, Jimmy looks like a straight-up dad right now. I didn’t know how you would take it, but I’m like, that’s pretty cool.”

Having turned 49, there’s nothing Jimmie Johnson hasn’t achieved in the sport. 7 Cup Series championships to be on par with legends like Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt? Check. Winning four Cup Series races in a row? Check. And now, he’s the big boss at Legacy Motor Club.

The ‘team dad’ role for Johnson did not happen overnight. After spending his time racing, Johnson took a bold step: he became a co-owner of the former Petty GMS Motorsports, now called Legacy Motor Club (LMC). As of January 2025, Johnson entered majority ownership, with backing from Knighthead Capital, and began his reconstruction of the team from scratch. 

And while he’s the big boss in the team, Johnson knows how to take a joke. He asked Nemechek, “ Well, so like dad of a team or like I’ve got a dad bod?” Nemechek hit him with a quick, “No, no, no, not dad bod. Just like dad of a team. Watching over all your little babies.” Well, it seems like Johnson likes that idea. “Oh, fantastic. I like that.” The exchange was just a small reminder of the different sides Johnson has as a team owner. 

Through this ownership, Johnson is tied to LMC’s new Cup Series driver John Hunter Nemechek. Their paths may not have crossed much in racing, but now their relationship is based on trust, guidance, and mentorship. Nemechek explained, “We’re not where we want to be yet as a group at Legacy Motor Club, right. But we’re pushing the limit, pushing the boundary and we’re striving for success. We want to continue to push that way and I definitely feel we can live out the vision that Jimmie has of getting these cars to Victory Lane. The best advice Jimmie has given me is just ‘go race. Go have fun, go race and do what you know how to do’.” 

Johnson is not new to mentorship himself. He was mentored by Jeff Gordon, a four-time Cup champion, who not only spoke up for Johnson in his early days but also shaped his championship mentality. Johnson has often reflected on that guidance: “Mentorship means many things, but it has been a big part of my life. I’ve had many mentors, so I’m thankful for them. … Now that I’m old enough, I’m actually able to mentor a few below me, so it’s a big word and has a lot of great meaning behind it for me.”

Johnson is now paying it forward. Earlier this year, he brought on board the 2003 Cup Champion Matt Kenseth at Legacy Motor Club to help mentor the team drivers. Another testament to how serious he is in making the future happen. 

Regardless, Johnson isn’t just a mentor to his drivers.

Jimmie Johnson wishes Josh Berry the best

Just a few weeks ago, Josh Berry stunned fans with a miracle win. It wasn’t that Berry capitalised on a caution and lucked out. Not at all. Berry completed a masterful win, bringing in the playoffs early for the Wood Brothers Racing team. And to add to that, Berry’s win meant that the driver brought the team its 101st win in its 75th year!

And Johnson was all for it. After the race, he took to X and posted, “What a memorable day for the sport of NASCAR and our fans. We witnessed a racer live the dream and collect his first W in the big show. Well done Josh Berry! Couple that with the history of the Wood Brothers, while celebrating their 75th year in the sport. There’s only one thing left to do. Let’s raise a glass!” 

The Las Vegas win was incredible for Berry as well as Wood Brothers, and Johnson knows that as well. As someone who’s seen NASCAR grow through the years, watching a driver who made his way through the garage and taken up the driver’s seat, Johnson showing his support is a big deal. Perhaps Johnson can also find some inspiration. After all, Wood Brothers Racing has benefited from its Penske partnership. Maybe LMC can take a similar road.