Jimmie Johnson's Green Can Beer: A Refreshing Choice?

Jimmie Johnson is a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, and one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. Johnson has been vocal about his rigorous workout regimen, which includes triathlon training and clean nutrition. He has also been open about his diet, which includes the occasional beer. While there is no direct evidence of Johnson drinking beer from a green can, it is safe to assume that he may have consumed beer on occasion, especially after races, as he has mentioned that he enjoys having pizza and ice-cold beer on the way home.

Jimmie Johnson's fitness and exercise routine

Jimmie Johnson, the four-time defending Sprint Cup Series champion, has a rigorous workout regimen that has helped him achieve remarkable success in NASCAR. Johnson's dedication to health and fitness has positively impacted both his professional and personal life, with a weekly workout routine that includes running, biking, swimming, and strength training. Johnson's trainer, John Sitaras, a New York City personal trainer, has been instrumental in guiding him through intense workouts since December 2007.

Johnson's workouts are specifically tailored to target different areas of his body. For instance, he performs pull-ups while grasping a pair of steel handles with a bulky black belt and a 45-pound steel plate attached, challenging him to pull roughly 130% of his suspended body weight. Additionally, Johnson bench-presses 100-pound dumbbells, leg-presses 500 pounds, and performs 90-pound weighted dips. This routine has resulted in a significant drop in his body fat percentage, now hovering around 8%.

Sitaras also designed a unique program to address the imbalance in Johnson's body due to years of acclimating to the g-force load from turning left while driving. This program focused on strengthening the weaker muscles without compromising the strong ones. Johnson's weekly routine includes four days of weight training and six days dedicated to abdominal work.

Furthermore, Johnson runs at least 20 miles each week, incorporating both endurance runs and all-out sprints. He also prioritises adequate sleep, proper hydration, and a healthy diet, minimising burritos and beers in favour of time-release protein supplements and amino acids. Johnson's commitment to his fitness routine has enhanced his physical and mental strength, giving him an edge over the competition and contributing to his success in NASCAR.

While Johnson's workout regimen is intense and demanding, he recognises the importance of balance. He acknowledges that celebrating with a beer and enjoying time with friends are essential for his well-being. However, he is mindful of the impact on his performance and has cut back on alcohol consumption to maintain his fitness gains. Johnson's dedication to his health and his willingness to push himself have undoubtedly contributed to his success in NASCAR and his overall well-being.

Johnson's NASCAR career

Jimmie Johnson is an American professional auto racing driver. He currently competes part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE for his team, Legacy Motor Club. Johnson's seven Cup championships are tied with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the most all-time.

Johnson was born in El Cajon, California, and began racing motorcycles at the age of four. After graduating from Granite Hills High School, he competed in off-road series, winning rookie of the year in each series. In 1998, Johnson and his team, Herzog Motorsports, began stock car racing. He moved to the national American Speed Association (ASA) series for late model touring cars, winning another rookie of the year title. In 2000, he switched to the NASCAR Busch Series (now Xfinity Series).

His talent was noticed by Hendrick Motorsports driver Jeff Gordon, who convinced owner Rick Hendrick to sign Johnson for the Winston Cup Series full-time for 2002, with Gordon as a part-owner of his car. Johnson earned his first career pole position for the Daytona 500, becoming the third rookie to do so. In his 13th career start, Johnson scored his first career win in the NAPA Auto Parts 500 at Auto Club Speedway. Johnson became the first rookie driver to lead the point standings and to win twice at the same track during a season, by sweeping both races at Dover.

Johnson won his first Cup Series championship in 2006 and with further wins in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, he became the first and only driver in NASCAR history to win five consecutive championships. Johnson finished sixth in the points standings in the 2011 season and third in 2012 before winning his sixth championship in 2013. In 2016, Johnson won his seventh championship, tying Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the most Cup Series championships of all time.

Johnson's seven NASCAR championships, 83 career race wins, 222 top fives, 341 top tens, and 35 pole positions between 2002 and 2017 are a testament to his skill and dedication to the sport.

Johnson's IndyCar career

Jimmie Johnson's IndyCar career began in 2020 when he participated in a test with IndyCar Series team Chip Ganassi Racing. He initially had a test scheduled with Arrow McLaren SP, but it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Johnson's first test with Chip Ganassi Racing took place in July 2020 and was overseen by CGR owner Chip Ganassi and five-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon. Johnson described driving an IndyCar as a "childhood dream".

On September 9, 2020, Johnson announced that he would join Chip Ganassi Racing on a part-time basis in 2021 and 2022 to drive the road and street courses on the IndyCar circuit. Johnson refused to run the ovals due to safety concerns but eventually agreed to run an oval test at Texas to prepare himself for the Indianapolis 500.

Throughout 2021, Johnson largely struggled in IndyCar, frequently running at the back of the field and struggling with spins and accidents. However, in December 2021, Johnson announced that he would contest the full 2022 IndyCar schedule, driving the No. 48 car for Chip Ganassi Racing. During his first oval race in the series, the XPEL 375 at Texas, Johnson finished a career-best sixth. Johnson made his Indianapolis 500 debut later that year and was elected Rookie of the Year for the race. Johnson collected his first career IndyCar top-five finish at the Hy-Vee Salute to Farmers 300 presented by Google on July 24, 2022.

On September 26, 2022, Johnson announced that he would be stepping back from racing full-time.

Johnson's early racing career

Jimmie Johnson's racing career began when he was just four or five years old, racing motorcycles in 1980 or 1981. By the time he was eight, he had already won the 60cc class championship. Johnson also competed in the off-road series during his early years.

In 1998, Johnson's career took a turn when he got behind the wheel of a stock car for the first time in the American Speed Association (ASA). He competed full-time for two years in the ASA National Tour for Herzog Motorsports, earning two wins. During this time, Johnson also drove in a handful of races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

In 2000, Johnson landed a full-time ride with Herzog Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, finishing 10th in the point standings at the end of his rookie year. The following year, he earned his first victory in the series at Chicagoland Speedway.

Johnson's career took a big leap when he made his first NASCAR Cup Series start in the fall of 2001, driving the No. 48 car for Hendrick Motorsports. He ran three races that year and posted his best result at Homestead-Miami Speedway, finishing 25th.

In 2002, Johnson signed with Hendrick Motorsports full-time, with Chad Knaus as his crew chief. In their first start together at the Daytona 500, Johnson and Knaus made a splash by earning the Busch Pole Award. Johnson went on to tally his first Cup Series victory that year at his home track, the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.

The following year, in 2003, Johnson checked off another achievement by winning the Coca-Cola 600. He continued to build on his success, and by 2006, he had won his first Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400, as well as launching the Jimmie Johnson Foundation with his wife, Chandra. Johnson's impressive 2006 season culminated in him claiming his first NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Johnson went on to win three more consecutive championships from 2007 to 2009, becoming the only driver to win four back-to-back season titles.

Johnson's diet and nutrition

Jimmie Johnson's diet and nutrition have changed significantly over the years, as he has become more focused on health and fitness. Johnson has been working with a personal trainer, John Sitaras, since 2007, and his body fat percentage has dropped from 20% to 8% as a result. Johnson's diet used to consist of burritos and beers, but these have been replaced by time-release protein supplements and amino acids. He now consumes around 3,500 calories a day, focusing on bland carbohydrates and plant-based foods, such as rice, beans, avocado, and hot sauce. He also allows himself the occasional indulgence, with pizza and beer being his favourite post-race meal.

Johnson's training regime is intense and includes a lot of endurance work. He runs at least 20 miles a week, with a mix of endurance runs and sprints. He also does weight training four days a week and abdominal work six days a week. Johnson's workouts are tailored to target the specific muscles used in racing and to correct any imbalances caused by the g-force load from turning left while driving.

In addition to his diet and fitness regime, Johnson also prioritises recovery. He uses a combination of hot baths, foam rolling, compression leggings, and sleep to help his body recover from intense workouts and races.

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