Johnson’s Mantra: Hate Me, I’m A Winner

Jimmie Johnson is silently confident. He is a proficient artisan. He is a marketing attraction. Johnson is articulate, poised, and talented. Yet, he is hated. Why? People are envious.

On Sunday, Johnson scored his second consecutive Nextel Cup. During the Championship Chase, Johnson recorded four wins, six top five finishes, and nine top ten finishes. “He is having a run that in the modern era is maybe unmatched,” said NASCAR chairman Brian France. “He is just at a different level and I think it's hats off to him.”

During his career, Johnson has accrued 33 victories, 86 top five finishes, and 134 top ten finishes. In 2006, Johnson tallied 5 wins, 13 top five finishes, and 24 top ten finishes. In 2007, Johnson scored 10 wins, 20 top five finishes, and 24 top ten finishes.

Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, David Pearson, Lee Petty, Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip, and Cale Yarborough. Each won three-plus championships. Johnson is not them. However, they share commonality. People disliked them. People dislike Johnson.