CONCORD, N.C. -- Jimmie Johnson arrived at Richmond Raceway on Saturday for the last time as a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver. To honor him, the Virginia track dedicated a pedestrian tunnel to the seven-time champion.
The renamed Jimmie Johnson Champions Walk leads to Richmond's famous FanGrounds, a modernized infield which was constructed in 2018.
“Jimmie Johnson has walked with the greatest in the history of the sport to build a championship legacy,” said Richmond president Dennis Bickmeier. “Throughout his career, he has represented NASCAR with class on and off the track to raise the sport to new heights. As a seven-time champion, we honor his dynamic career by naming our pedestrian tunnel leading to the FanGrounds as the Jimmie Johnson Champions Walk.”
The tunnel celebrates the legacies of the sports' biggest names and champions. Along with Johnson, seven-time champions Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt have been recognized at the walkway.
According to Richmond Raceway, future champions of the Cup Series and winners at the track will be revealed in the Jimmie Johnson Champions Walk. Aside from his seven titles, Johnson has driven into victory lane three times at Richmond.
"Throughout my career I have had some highs and lows at Richmond on the track,” Johnson said. “I’ve enjoyed cycling around the area and have grown to appreciate racing there so much more over the years. This is a huge honor and its humbling as I visit these tracks for the final time, to accept these wonderful gifts. This is just so cool and I hope to visit victory lane one more time at Richmond.”
Johnson is one of eight drivers to sweep the Richmond races in a season (2007) and is also one of only 12 drivers to win back-to-back Cup Series races from different years (2007 and 2008). Johnson also is in a three-way tie among active drivers with Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick for the most victories at the .75-mile venue.