Five-time Cup champion joins esteemed group at IMS

INDIANAPOLIS — For generations, it has been said the Indianapolis Motor Speedway makes legends each May.

Nearly every late summer, IMS takes on a different role. It confirms legends.

Jimmie Johnson became the latest to add to his legend at Indianapolis, joining teammate Jeff Gordon as four-time winners of the Brickyard 400. It was already an event whose winner’s list could be mistaken for a NASCAR Hall of Fame class — with Dale Jarrett and Tony Stewart among those who have won the race multiple times in its 19-year history. Bill Elliott, Bobby Labonte, and Dale Earnhardt are among the others who won it once.

Those seven drivers account for 15 of the 19 Brickyard 400 wins, and 22 total NASCAR championships.

“What happens here and how you can soak in the moment and look around and realize you’re at the Brickyard and you’ve won is really special,” Johnson said. “To be able to join racing legends, my heroes, people I’ve looked up to my entire life, to join them is a huge honor.”

It was Johnson’s 58th career victory, including the third this year. He moved up to fourth in the points, 27 behind teammate — and new points leader — Dale Earnhardt Jr.

This story appears in the print edition of Daily Reporter. Subscribers can read the entire story online by signing in here or in our e-Edition by clicking here.