We all knew this was eventually going to happen. Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus both had NASCAR Hall of Fame worthy careers. On Wednesday, they were voted in as a part of the same Class of 2024.

My take on this is that I’m not shocked that each were first ballot Hall of Famers. I mean if they weren’t, what more do you want? However, I am perplexed that both weren’t unanimous recipients.

Johnson’s seven career NASCAR Cup Series championships famously tie him with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for most in series history; his five consecutive titles are a NASCAR record. Johnson’s on-track accomplishments behind the wheel of a stock car put him on the short list in the “Greatest of All Time” discussion.

He has 83 wins at 20 different racetracks, including multiple wins in every NASCAR crown jewel event: two Daytona 500s (2006, ’13), four Brickyard 400s (2006, ’08-09, ’12), four Coca-Cola 600s (2003-05, ’14), two Southern 500’s (2004, ’12) and four All-Star Race wins (2003, ’06, ’12-13). Currently the co-owner of NASCAR team LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, Johnson was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023.

All those stats for Johnson, well same for Knaus in the exception of 2 of the 83 wins from Johnson came while Knaus was suspended.

The pair combined for seven NASCAR Cup Series championships, including a NASCAR-record five in a row. They won 81 races over 19 seasons. Knaus won his 82nd – and final – race with William Byron in 2020. He trails only Dale Inman and Leonard Wood for all-time wins by a crew chief.

Johnson received 93% of the Modern Era ballot votes. Knaus 81%. Among 57 voters, that means 4 didn’t have Johnson of all people on their ballot.

How is that not good enough?

Shame on them.

I want to know what more those four individuals are honestly looking for out of a NASCAR career? Serious question. What more can someone do? 84 wins? 8 titles? What is their reasoning to not voting for Johnson?

It’s a shame for the other 8 to be on this ballot this year because they never had a chance. Nothing against those 8 because they’re obviously worthy and should be up for consideration, but when they’re paired against Johnson and Knaus….ouch.

Drivers On Ballot

Neil Bonnett? 18 wins, 0 championships.

Jeff Burton? 21 wins, 0 championships.

Carl Edwards? 28 wins, 0 championships.

Harry Gant? 18 wins, 0 championships.

Ricky Rudd? 23 wins, 0 championships.

Larry Phillips? 0 Cup wins.

Crew Chiefs On Ballot

Harry Hyde? 56 wins as a crew chief.

Tim Brewer? 53 wins as a crew chief, 2 championships.

Please enlighten me on why Hyde or Brewer should get a vote over Knaus? Tell me. I’m waiting. Same for drivers. 108 wins COMBINED. Johnson has 83 by himself. Johnson has 7x the championships on the Cup level that they’ve won.

So please tell me why they got a vote over Johnson. Again, I’m waiting.

I get that he’s still somewhat active, but come on, so was Jeff Gordon. So is Dale Earnhardt Jr. right now too. To exclude Johnson is something that should honestly get those four voters stripped of ever making another vote in NASCAR. That’s negligence.

I’m also on the page that both he and Knaus had to go in together. How could you split them?

In the end, they got it right with Johnson and Knaus. Well, 53 of the 57 did…