Jimmie Johnson vs. Kevin Harvick
Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history.
Jimmie Johnson is an American professional stock car racing driver and team owner who competes part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He has won seven Cup championships, including five consecutive titles, tying him with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the most all-time.
Quick Facts
- Primary teams
- Hendrick Motorsports (#48) vs Richard Childress Racing (#29); Stewart-Haas Racing (#4)
- Championships won
- 7 (Johnson) vs 1 (Harvick)
- Era peak
- Mid-2000s to Mid-2010s
- Career wins
- Both exceed 50 Cup Series victories
- Status
- Retired from Full-Time Cup Racing
Lore & Background
Johnson was born in El Cajon, California and began racing motorcycles at age four. He raced in off-road series, winning rookie of the year in each. In 1998, he began stock car racing with Herzog Motorsports. He moved to the NASCAR Busch Series in 2000. His talent was noticed by Jeff Gordon, who convinced Rick Hendrick to sign him for the Winston Cup Series full-time in 2002. Johnson won his first Cup championship in 2006 and went on to win five consecutive titles (2006–2010), then won a sixth in 2013 and a seventh in 2016, tying Petty and Earnhardt.
Reader's Guide
Johnson's career includes 83 Cup race wins, 222 top fives, 341 top tens, and 35 pole positions between 2002 and 2017. He is a two-time Daytona 500 winner (2006 and 2013). He also competed in the IndyCar Series from 2021 to 2022 and has raced occasionally in sports car racing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the primary drivers in this NASCAR feud?
This rivalry featured Hendrick Motorsports' Jimmie Johnson against Richard Childress Racing's Kevin Harvick. They competed primarily during the Car of Tomorrow era where both teams dominated the Cup Series field.
How many championships did each driver win?
Jimmie Johnson secured seven NASCAR Cup Series championships while Kevin Harvick won one title later in his career. Their battles often determined who would advance to the final rounds of the playoffs during their peak years.
What defined their on-track competition style?
The competition was defined by aggressive on-track maneuvering balanced with a deep mutual respect between the two veterans. Johnson's methodical driving style frequently clashed with Harvick's tenacious approach to gaining positions.
Which car numbers and teams represented them?
Johnson piloted the iconic #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, whereas Harvick drove the #29 Richard Childress Racing entry for most of their feud. Both drivers accumulated over 50 career Cup Series victories during this period.
Is this rivalry still active in full-time racing?
Both drivers have retired from full-time NASCAR Cup Series competition, marking the end of their direct decade-long warfare. Their legacy remains a defining narrative of modern stock car racing history.
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