Jimmie Johnson’s return to the NASCAR Cup Series at the Daytona 500 was nothing short of spectacular. He may be a legend on the track, but for his family, it not only brings excitement but a great amount of fear, too.
The seven-time champion shocked many with his impressive third-place finish, but for his wife, Chandra Janway, the race was a nerve-wracking experience. Given the high-speed chaos that unfolded on the track, she feared the worst before learning the incredible news.
A Nerve-Wracking Day at Daytona for Jimmie Johnson’s Wife
Daytona 500 is known for its intense racing and massive wrecks, and this year’s event lived up to its reputation. Several crashes throughout the race left drivers shaken and cars destroyed and out of contention. With Johnson’s history in both NASCAR and IndyCar, Janway was already nervous about him getting back into the stock car racing format.
She wasn’t sure if her husband had been caught in the chaos or if he had made it through unscathed. Given the unpredictable nature of racing, she feared that Johnson might have been taken to the hospital after being in a crash. “Are you okay? Are you in the hospital?” she asked when Johnson called her up to inform her about his exciting win.
Johnson Placed Third
However, Janway was left completely stunned by what Johnson told her — he had finished third. In an instant, her worry turned into astonishment and pride.
Johnson later shared this story in a podcast, reflecting on how much his wife worries for his safety but always supports his passion and how his wife’s fears were completely understandable. He acknowledged that racing is dangerous — every time he steps into a car, his family feels the weight of that risk. However, for him, the thrill of competing at the highest level is something he just can’t walk away from.
Now, after proving he can still race with the best, Johnson is looking ahead to the rest of the season. But for Janway, the nerves will always be there. Watching her husband race at speeds over 200 mph is never easy, but at least this time, she got a happy surprise.
