In 2021, NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson surprised the racing world by leaving the stock car series where he had amassed over 80 wins to compete in IndyCar. This bold change came after a storied NASCAR career that ranked him among the sport’s all-time greats. Johnson recently opened up about the emotional and psychological reasons behind his decision to transition, shedding light on fears that had quietly influenced his path.
Unpacking the Fear That Drove His Racing Career and the Desire for Change
For years, fans wondered what prompted Johnson’s departure from NASCAR—whether it was due to his age, younger rivals, or financial considerations. During a revealing conversation with fellow NASCAR star Kevin Harvick on the Happy Hour podcast, Johnson admitted fear was the main driving force behind his career decisions.
What motivated me all those years was fear and fear of failing, fear of waking up some day and it was dream, the fear that started all of this was the fear to be employed, right? Everything in my career has been driven by fear, and that just takes a toll on you.
—Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Hall of Famer and Legacy Motor Club owner
Johnson went on to explain how this fear affected his mental state during competition seasons.
When I stepped away, I didn’t want to be driven by that anymore. I didn’t like the kind of person who I was becoming in the way my headspace was during the course of the season, and living through those moments.
—Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Hall of Famer and Legacy Motor Club owner
How Fatherhood Shifted Johnson’s Perspective and Led to New Priorities
While Johnson had long been a dominant figure in NASCAR, the pressures of that success also weighed heavily on his mind. Fatherhood, however, introduced a new dimension to his life, bringing clarity to his internal struggles. Raising two daughters helped him confront his mindset and make significant changes in how he approached racing and life.
Kids really helped define that. I had realized… I didn’t handle that right, or I wasn’t thinking right, my head wasn’t right, whatever it was,
—Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Hall of Famer and Legacy Motor Club owner
Johnson explained how this realization sparked a shift in his approach, moving away from fear and toward a passion-driven attitude.
Choosing IndyCar: Racing for Passion Instead of Pressure
Johnson described his move to IndyCar as a rekindling of a childhood dream, one where fear no longer dictated his choices and enjoyment became the priority.
So, when I went IndyCar racing, that was the dream when I was a kid, and I’m like, ‘My give-a-s**t meter is broke.’ I don’t care and I’m not driven by fear anymore, I want to enjoy, I want opportunity, and that’s why I just kind of ignored the challenge that I had ahead of myself and committed to it.
—Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Hall of Famer and Legacy Motor Club owner
Although Johnson did not achieve the same level of dominance in IndyCar as he did in NASCAR, his first race at the 2021 Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama marked a new chapter where his motivation came from pure passion without the pressure of legacy or sponsorship demands.
Freed from the mental burden that once weighed on him, Johnson embraced competition simply for the love of racing, fulfilling a dream rooted in his early years.
