sports
Retired racer Jimmie Johnson credits his multimillion-dollar success to shining his shoes and arriving 10 minutes early: ‘Small things matter’
NASCAR Hall of Fame racer Jimmie Johnson built a career on split-second decision-making at 200 miles per hour. But one habit he credits most for his success has nothing to do with speed or winning the most trophies—it’s showing up early.

TL;DR
- Jimmie Johnson, a NASCAR Hall of Fame racer, credits showing up 10 minutes early and shining his shoes as key habits for his success.
- These small actions helped him stand out and build an estimated net worth of over $150 million.
- Johnson learned the importance of appearances early on, with advice to always shine his shoes.
- He emphasizes that 'small things matter' and help differentiate individuals in competitive fields.
- Johnson's racing career includes 83 Cup Series wins and seven championships.
- He views failures and mishaps as crucial learning experiences that shaped him.
- Upon retiring from full-time racing, Johnson sought better work-life balance, a challenge he acknowledges is ongoing.
- He is now a majority owner of Legacy Motor Club, a NASCAR Cup Series team.