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CONCORD, NC - JANUARY 25: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet, speaks with the media during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway on January 25, 2012 in Concord, North Carolina. View Photo »
CONCORD, NC - JANUARY 25: Rick Hendrick(R), owner of Hendrick Motorsports, and Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet, pose for a photo during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway on January... View Photo »
CONCORD, NC - JANUARY 25: Dale Earnhardt Jr. , driver of the #88 Diet Mountain Dew Chevrolet, and Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet, speak with the media during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Media Tour hosted by Charlotte... View Photo »
CONCORD, NC - JANUARY 25: (L-R) Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's/Kobalt Chevrolet, Dale Earnhardt Jr. , driver of the #88 Diet Mountain Dew Chevrolet, Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet, and Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick... View Photo »
NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Jimmie Johnson answers questions during the NASCAR Media Tour at Hendrick Motorsports in Concord, North Carolina January 25, 2012. View Photo »
NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers Jimmie Johnson (L) and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (C) talk as Jeff Gordon looks on during the NASCAR Media Tour at Hendrick Motorsports in Concord, North Carolina January 25, 2012. View Photo »
NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Jimmie Johnson (L) answers a question as driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr. listens during the NASCAR Media Tour at Hendrick Motorsports in Concord, North Carolina January 25, 2012. View Photo »
NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers (L-R) Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Jeff Gordon sit with Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick during the NASCAR Media Tour at Hendrick Motorsports in Concord, North Carolina January 25, 2012. View Photo »
Jimmie Johnson listens to a question during a news conference at the NASCAR Media Tour in Charlotte, N.C. , Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. View Photo »
Driver Jimmie Johnson talks with the media at Hendrick Motorsports during a NASCAR Media Tour news conference in Charlotte, N.C. , Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. View Photo »
Jimmie Johnson, left, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. laugh during a news conference at the NASCAR Media Tour in Charlotte, N.C. , Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. View Photo »
Team owner Rick Hendrick, right, speaks as Jimmie Johnson, left, Dale Earnhardt Jr. , second from left, and Jeff Gordon listen during a news conference at the NASCAR Media Tour in Charlotte, N.C. , Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. View Photo »
CORRECTS SPELLING OF NAME TO JIMMIE, NOT JIMMY - Driver Jimmie Johnson speaks to the media at a new conference during the NASCAR Media Tour in Charlotte, N.C. , Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. View Photo »
CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 21: (2ndL-R) Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamiln and Jeff Gordon speak during the NASCAR Preview presented by Sprint on January 21, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. View Photo »
CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 21: NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson speaks on stage during the NASCAR Preview presented by Sprint on January 21, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. View Photo »
Five time NASCAR championship driver Jimmie Johnson signs a jacket for a fan during the NASCAR Hall of Fame induction weekend festivities, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. View Photo »
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JANUARY 14: Dale Earnhardt Jr.(L), driver of the #88 Diet Mountain Dew Chevrolet, and Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, talk in the garage area during Daytona Preseason Thunder at Daytona International Speedway on January... View Photo »
Jimmie Johnson talks with a crew member working in his car during NASCAR auto racing testing at the Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, in Daytona Beach, Fla. View Photo »
Jimmie Johnson removes his gloves after driving on the track during NASCAR auto racing testing at the Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, in Daytona Beach, Fla. View Photo »
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JANUARY 12: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet during Daytona Preseason Thunder at Daytona International Speedway on January 12, 2012 in Daytona Beach, Florida. View Photo »
Jimmie Kenneth Johnson (born September 17, 1975 in El Cajon, California) is a current NASCAR Sprint Cup race car driver who drives the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet Impala SS co-owned by Rick Hendrick and his teammate Jeff Gordon and operated by Hendrick Motorsports. Johnson is the three-time reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup champion. He is one of only two... Full Article
CONCORD, NC - JANUARY 25: (L-R) Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's/Kobalt Chevrolet, Dale Earnhardt Jr. , driver of the #88 Diet Mountain Dew Chevrolet, Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet, and Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, speak with the media...
View Photo »NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Jimmie Johnson answers questions during the NASCAR Media Tour at Hendrick Motorsports in Concord, North Carolina January 25, 2012.
View Photo »NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers Jimmie Johnson (L) and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (C) talk as Jeff Gordon looks on during the NASCAR Media Tour at Hendrick Motorsports in Concord, North Carolina January 25, 2012.
View Photo »NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Jimmie Johnson (L) answers a question as driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr. listens during the NASCAR Media Tour at Hendrick Motorsports in Concord, North Carolina January 25, 2012.
View Photo »Jimmie Johnson listens to a question during a news conference at the NASCAR Media Tour in Charlotte, N.C. , Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012.
View Photo »Driver Jimmie Johnson talks with the media at Hendrick Motorsports during a NASCAR Media Tour news conference in Charlotte, N.C. , Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012.
View Photo »Jimmie Johnson, left, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. laugh during a news conference at the NASCAR Media Tour in Charlotte, N.C. , Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012.
View Photo »Team owner Rick Hendrick, right, speaks as Jimmie Johnson, left, Dale Earnhardt Jr. , second from left, and Jeff Gordon listen during a news conference at the NASCAR Media Tour in Charlotte, N.C. , Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012.
View Photo »CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 21: (2ndL-R) Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamiln and Jeff Gordon speak during the NASCAR Preview presented by Sprint on January 21, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
View Photo »CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 21: NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson speaks on stage during the NASCAR Preview presented by Sprint on January 21, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
View Photo »Jimmie Johnson talks with a crew member working in his car during NASCAR auto racing testing at the Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, in Daytona Beach, Fla.
View Photo »Jimmie Johnson removes his gloves after driving on the track during NASCAR auto racing testing at the Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, in Daytona Beach, Fla.
View Photo »DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JANUARY 12: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet during Daytona Preseason Thunder at Daytona International Speedway on January 12, 2012 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
View Photo »Driver Jimmie Johnson walks through the garage area during NASCAR auto racing testing at the Daytona International Speedway Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, in Daytona Beach, Fla.
View Photo »CONCORD, NC - JANUARY 25: Rick Hendrick(R), owner of Hendrick Motorsports, and Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet, pose for a photo during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway on January 25, 2012 in Concord, North Carolina...
View Photo »CONCORD, NC - JANUARY 25: Dale Earnhardt Jr. , driver of the #88 Diet Mountain Dew Chevrolet, and Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet, speak with the media during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway on January 25, 2012...
View Photo »NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers (L-R) Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Jeff Gordon sit with Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick during the NASCAR Media Tour at Hendrick Motorsports in Concord, North Carolina January 25, 2012.
View Photo »CORRECTS SPELLING OF NAME TO JIMMIE, NOT JIMMY - Driver Jimmie Johnson speaks to the media at a new conference during the NASCAR Media Tour in Charlotte, N.C. , Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012.
View Photo »LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 02: Driver Jimmie Johnson speaks during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week Awards Ceremony at Wynn Las Vegas on December 2, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
View Photo »LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 02: Sixth place driver Jimmie Johnson poses with his trophy during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week Awards Ceremony at Wynn Las Vegas on December 2, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
View Photo »LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 02: Driver Jimmie Johnson and wife Chandra Johnson attend the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week Awards Ceremony at Wynn Las Vegas on December 2, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
View Photo »LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 02: (L-R) Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart point towards the audience as Stewart is introduced during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week Awards Ceremony at Wynn Las Vegas on December 2, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
View Photo »LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 02: Drivers Jimmie Johnson (L) and Tony Stewart (R) joke around on stage during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week Awards Ceremony at Wynn Las Vegas on December 2, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
View Photo »Jimmie Johnson, left, and Chandra Johnson arrive at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto racing awards ceremony on Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, at The Wynn Las Vegas Resort in Las Vegas.
View Photo »LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 01: (L-R) Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart and Matt Yocum talk during 'The Stewies' radio show inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on December 1, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
View Photo »CONCORD, NC - JANUARY 25: (L-R) Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's/Kobalt Chevrolet, Dale Earnhardt Jr. , driver of the #88 Diet Mountain Dew Chevrolet, Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet, and Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, speak with the media...
View Photo »In the past, sitting at the banquet is another level of everything setting in and I have hung onto that moment more than anything in years past, [I] have carried that into the offseason
Some of those little parts of last year (were) bleeding over into here and looking at those experiences and not necessarily emotional, just thinking about it, like, ‘Wow,’ it really is over
I do not see any changes taking place next year
We do not have that nice seat upon the stage
for synchronizing his best Chase performance with my worst. What's the bigger story here? Stewart's crowning, or my un crowning? I hate to 'reign' on Stewart's parade, but the end of a five-year run as champion trumps Stewart's third title in ten years.
I don't know but I want to believe in it ... How long I can race into my career, I think there is a chance; I don't know how realistic that chance is, but I want to believe in it and think that I can.
I certainly learned from my mistakes
Just thinking about it, like wow, it really is over ... I'm disappointed that it is over but very proud of what this team has done. What we have done over the last, really, 10 years, the last five obviously stand out, but what we have done as a group over the 10-year run so far has been truly amazing.
We think we had a motor problem
I worked my way up there pretty good and was having some fun. (It's a) sad way to end the season but it is racing, we will come back next year
I started getting some warning signs on the way into the pits that it was an internal situation and those internal parts were trying to find a way out ... So we are out of the points — (was) trying to finish in the top five — but if we can get on the track and get going, other guys have some trouble, ma...
It's been a slow, steady reality of what is coming, and unfortunately we're not in a position to win a championship this year
There are little things that keep playing through my mind, last time I was sitting at this table, sitting here on top of the world, with just winning my fifth
I think about last year and how dominant Denny was and looked like things were going his way
There's a reason why no one had won five in a row before, and it just doesn't happen
I don't know ... I want to believe in it. How long I can race into my career, I think there is a chance, I don't know how realistic that chance is, but I want to believe in it and think that I can.
The comments we hear about guys not being nervous, that is ridiculous
I have hung onto that moment more than anything in years past, have carried that into the off season
There are little things that keep playing through my mind, last time I was sitting at this table, sitting here on top of the world with just winning my fifth ... some of those little parts of last year bleeding over into here and looking at those experiences
That was a reality check for me
That's when I realized -- it was over
I am sure we will leave the banquet highly motivated
He told me he'd like to do something even if he doesn't drink
There are little things that keep playing through my mind
Kind of hit me in the gut a little bit there ... I was even more disappointed to not be there and at least have a shot mathematically.
