SI Vault
 
A Champ at Last
Decrease font Decrease font
Enlarge font Enlarge font
November 27, 2006

A Champ At Last

A gritty racer under all that corporate polish, oft-frustrated Jimmie Johnson--NASCAR's premier driver over the past four years--dodged trouble at Homestead and finally won his first Nextel Cup points title

View CoverRead All Articles
Print This PRINT E-mail This EMAIL Most Popular MOST POPULAR SHARE SHARE
1 2 3

Chandra arrived at the finish-line celebration, but still she couldn't find Jimmie. Minutes later he hopped out of his car. In the mob of his teammates, Johnson found his wife. The two embraced. Tears fell from Johnson's eyes, and just then, 12 years to the day after he nearly died in the Mexican desert, the soul of a truck driver's son was finally laid bare for everyone to see.

RACING CENTRAL

Check out SI.com/ NASCAR to see final grades for every Nextel Cup driver and get a look ahead to the 2007 season.

1 2 3