Jimmie Johnson: 5 Reasons He's the Most Influential Athlete in America

NASCAR's Sprint Cup five time champion Jimmie Johnson is one of the most hated drivers on the Sprint Cup circuit, possibly even topping Kyle Busch for the title.

But he is also the most influential athlete in the U.S. this year as well according to Forbes, taking the top spot away from Lance Armstrong and beating out Tom Brady (ranked No. 2), Dale Earnhardt Jr (ranked No. 3), among others.

But why does Johnson hold this title when it seems that most fans in NASCAR would do anything to see him fall from his throne?  Let's take a look.

Reason No. 5: He Is Everywhere

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CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 26: Jimmie Johnson drives the #48 Lowe's Summer Salute Chevrolet through the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26, 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo

While most drivers' commercials are only seen during NASCAR events, Johnson is one of the select few that can be seen on mainstream television.

From Lowes to Kobalt Tools commercials and everything in between, even the non-NASCAR fan is exposed to the driver just by watching TV.

There are very few drivers you see on mainstream TV channels (other than commercials promoting races and other NASCAR events), even when their sponsor's commercials come on.

Reason No. 4: People Listen to Him

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WASHINGTON - AUGUST 19: U.S. President Barack Obama (L) poses for pictures with 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson (R) during a South Portico event at the White House August 19, 2009 in Washington, DC. Obama hosted the NASCAR champion and oth

Even if you don't like Johnson, it is usually hard to mute the television or change the channel when he is on. It is obvious Johnson usually knows what he is talking about, even when it doesn't come to racing.

He also helps multiple foundations and many listen to what he has to say about these causes. Overall, he doesn't usually open his mouth in public to voice his opinion unless he has an informed view on the subject.

He has also met top officials in the country including the president, which opens up some people's minds when it comes to hearing what he has to say.

It could also be argued that he has brought new fans to the sport who want to see his history making run in action.

Reason No. 3: Chad Knaus

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DOVER, DE - MAY 13: Jimmie Johnson (L), driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, talks with crew chief Chad Knaus (R) in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series FedEx 400 Benefiting Autism Speaks at Dover International Speedway on May 13, 2

Chad Knaus has helped Johnson get where he is today. But Knaus isn't always acknowledged when it comes to why people know Johnson's name.

Johnson rarely does anything on the track without Knaus' consent and while it would seem that this would be a track only thing; Chad is seen in commercials with Johnson and has been a huge part of building Johnson's image through their success since becoming a team.

In addition to helping build his image, Knaus is also a wizard when it comes to getting Johnson back on the track even after huge wrecks. Remember Texas a few years ago in the Chase when everyone thought Johnson was done after his car was totaled only a few laps in?

Knaus led the team in rebuilding the car  and got it back on the track, helping Johnson get points and leaving the never give up impression in peoples' minds, even years later.

Reason No. 2: Even ESPN Focuses on Him

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CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 20: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #5 Lowe's 5% Every Day Chevrolet, stands on pit road during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20, 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jason Sm

After race weekends when ESPN does its recap of what happened, Johnson usually gets a few words of mention, even if he has a hard race.

It may not be a big deal when you look at the single instances of only a few seconds a week, but it is a big deal when you look at how much time he gets on ESPN and other sports channels over the season, especially when he is on a championship run in the Chase. 

Even those that don't watch NASCAR but watch ESPN during these recaps know who Johnson is.

Reason No. 1: Regular People Know Who He Is & What He's Done

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HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 21: NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, poses with the Sprint Cup Series Championship trophies at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 21, 2010 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson clinched his fifth str

This goes back a bit to the ESPN slide and the "he is everywhere" slide but even people that watch absolutely no sports know what he has done and even know his name.

These are the people that never watch the races and may not even watch ESPN but they hear about him on their local news during his runs for championships and remember the success he has had for so many years in a row.

Sometimes, this even encourages those non-sports people to pick up the remote the next Sunday and watch the race.

Just like non-baseball people know who the Yankees are, non-NASCAR people know who Jimmie Johnson is.

Conclusion

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CONCORD, NC - MAY 29: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Summer Salute Chevrolet, leads a group of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 29, 2011 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Ti

Even if NASCAR fans want to see Johnson fail in his sixth championship run, his involvement in bringing in new fans to the sport helps with his influence.

The fact that even those people that have no involvement in motorsports not only know his name but also know what he has done just makes him all the more powerful.

It is definitely a major step for NASCAR to have Johnson top football players among athletes from the other top sports and may only add to his popularity both inside and outside the sport.