Jimmie Johnson has returned to the United States after spending two years living in London, United Kingdom. On this week’s Harvick Happy Hour podcast, he shared insights on the impact of the Jimmie Johnson Next Gen Car on his current role as a NASCAR team owner, as his drivers at Legacy Motor Club prepare for the upcoming Daytona race.
Comparing the Driving Experience Between Generation 6 and Next Gen Cars
During the conversation with Kevin Harvick, Johnson discussed the contrast between driving the Generation 6 car and the Next Gen vehicle. Harvick noted that Johnson’s strength in his earlier career at Hendrick Motorsports was car control, especially in previous generations. Reflecting on Johnson’s initial races with the Next Gen car, Harvick described it as an “angry beast” that is harder to manage once it gets loose, often resulting in a crash rather than recovery.
“And I look at the first few races that you did in the Next Gen car. It’s an angry beast. When it decides to get sideways, you don’t try to save it, you wreck it. I watched Kyle Busch, and that was always his strength, being able to go past that capability. Is that a fair assessment of the Next Gen car?”
—Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Driver
Johnson agreed with this characterization and elaborated on the challenges posed by spec cars, which limit the number of chassis and parts teams can buy each season.
“I don’t think I would be a team owner if we didn’t have this combination, this setup of a spec car,”
he said, emphasizing how this structure influences team operations.
Johnson’s Suggestions for Improving the Next Gen Car
Johnson shared specific ideas for changes that could enhance the performance and racing quality of the Next Gen car. He highlighted the importance of generating more side force and yaw—the twisting motion of the car around its vertical axis—as key to producing more exciting and competitive racing. However, he pointed out that for such adjustments to succeed, all original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) would need to provide detailed wind tunnel data and absorb related costs, a significant challenge in itself.
Another change he advocates for is the return to taller sidewalls on the car’s tires. Johnson explained that the current low-profile sidewalls reduce drivers’ ability to feel the car’s behavior, limiting their control and the opportunity to slide the vehicle skillfully during races.
His perspective is shaped by his extensive experience driving older generation cars, which provided a different feel and response on the track. Johnson expressed admiration for how the sport continually evolves, recognizing that current drivers possess in their cars elements he once wished for as a competitor.