Jimmie Johnson, one of NASCAR’s most successful drivers with seven Cup Series championships, recently disclosed his preferred post-win refreshment. When asked about his drink choice after winning races, Johnson revealed he enjoys an ice-cold beer paired with pizza topped with pineapple.
Johnson spent the majority of his Cup career behind the wheel of the #48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, where he secured 83 victories, tying Cale Yarborough for sixth place on the all-time NASCAR win list. After retiring from full-time racing in 2020, Johnson made a part-time racing return in 2023 with the Legacy Motor Club.
Insights from Jimmie Johnson’s Podcast Conversation
During an episode of his Never Settle podcast, co-host Marty Smith asked Johnson about what drink he preferred after a race back in his prime days. Johnson, now 49, also shared his stance on the often-debated pineapple-on-pizza topic.
“For whatever reason, the flights home, we always had pizza. I’m a big fan of Canadian bacon and pineapple on a pizza. There are mixed opinions on that. But I’m a pineapple guy on my pizza and a Bud Light,” Johnson said.
“I just have a cold beer, Bud Light… Coors Light, whatever was in the cooler on the way back. Something about a hot day in the car, a slice of pizza, and an ice-cold beer that really hit well,” he added.
Johnson’s final Cup Series win took place at Dover International Speedway in 2017. He stepped away from full-time racing three years later, citing various reasons including format changes and financial issues affecting drivers.
Return to NASCAR and Part-Time Racing Role
After a brief period competing in the IndyCar Series, the Californian made his NASCAR comeback in 2023. Johnson now races part-time, driving the #84 Toyota Camry and serving as co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, previously known as Petty GMS Motorsports. His best finish so far this season came with a third-place result at the Daytona 500.
Expansion Plans for Legacy Motor Club
Jimmie Johnson has outlined ambitious goals for Legacy Motor Club, including expanding the team’s operation to a three-car lineup to fully optimize performance and resources. Speaking with Paul Tracy on The RACER Channel, Johnson emphasized the importance of carefully building the team’s foundation before growth.
“Focus on building the team and getting it right. We also want to expand to a third car so that we can maximize everything within the NASCAR ecosystem.”
Looking beyond the current Cup Series efforts, Johnson expressed a desire to develop a strong driver development program spanning various racing levels.
“From there, we need to think of our driver pipeline and how we’re going to bring along future drivers for Legacy Motor Club. Is that Xfinity, Trucks, Trans Am, down to karting… like where do we start.”
Presently, Legacy Motor Club’s full-time drivers include John Hunter Nemechek in the #42 Toyota Camry and Erik Jones driving the #43 car. The team, based in Statesville, North Carolina, has shown noticeable progress this season with both drivers positioned to contend for playoff spots.
Significance of Johnson’s Choices and Team Vision
Jimmie Johnson’s revelation about his post-win beverage choice provides fans with a rare glimpse into his personal preferences, humanizing the celebrated driver. His appreciation for pineapple on pizza, a divisive topic in food circles, shows his unapologetic individual taste. Meanwhile, his leadership role at Legacy Motor Club and plans for growth signal an ongoing commitment to nurturing competitive racing and future talent within NASCAR. The expansion to a third car and driver development initiatives could strengthen the team’s position in upcoming seasons and influence the broader NASCAR landscape.