CONCORD, N.C. – As the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, Jimmie Johnson was granted an exclusive privilege Wednesday evening.
The driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet SS was invited to join the voting panel to determine the NASCAR Hall of Fame class of 2018.
“It was an honor last night to be a part of the Hall of Fame selection process,” he said.
The voting panel is made up of representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners, media members, manufacturer representatives, industry leaders, retired competitors including drivers, owners and crew chiefs, and even a fan vote.
And for the fourth year, the defending Cup Series champion had the opportunity to make his voice heard. That distinction went to Johnson this year.
“The amount of history that is shared in that room and the opinions, it is a huge honor and an amazing history lesson for the people that get to go in that room,” Johnson said. “I guess maybe many have lived it and that’s why they’re on the committee, but for a driver like myself I’m pretty new to the NASCAR scene in general and it’s a fantastic history lesson. The stories are amazing.”
It marked the second time Johnson has been able to participate in the voting process – he also voted after winning the 2013 Cup championship.
Johnson said narrowing down the finalists to the five inductees is not an easy task.
“It’s very difficult because as the stories go on and you understand how each individual has played such a large part in NASCAR’s history – they are all worthy,” he said. “And it’s not an easy day trying to make your decisions.”
In the end, Red Byron, Ray Evernham, Ron Hornaday Jr., Ken Squier and Robert Yates made the class.
Afterward, Johnson tweeted that the group is “such a great class for so many reasons.”
Learning from the first time he voted, Johnson knew to go into the room with an open mind.
“I formed an opinion and at least four of mine I thought were dead locks before I went in, and I tried to keep a fifth open because of my previous experience there,” he explained. “And, I think only two made it that stayed with me through it. So, it is a huge honor and that’s obviously a private conversation.”
It was an opportunity Johnson did not take for granted.
“It’s a wonderful experience,” he said. “I truly enjoyed it.”