With Johnson’s daughters now nine and six, respectively, their understanding of his decision on Wednesday is more than it would have been if they were younger, but that didn’t mean there weren’t still more-important priorities – particularly in his youngest daughter Lydia’s case.
“We were having breakfast and showing the girls the video that we pushed out on social media, and breakfast is a very important part of the day … and really a focal point for my kids, and Lydia was midway through her pancakes when I started the video and could not really be bothered by the video at all,” Johnson recalled. “She just wanted me to pass the butter.”
Thursday’s press conference was also trumped by something important for a young girl as well.
“Makeup,” Johnson pointed out to laughter from the crowd. “They opened up the makeup bag upstairs, and Lydia’s eyes about popped out of her head, so we know where her focus is.”
But as he dropped back into a more serious tone, Johnson reminded those in attendance and watching online that his family came later because of racing, something he was content with at the time.
Now, he’s ready to start giving back to them away from the sport, and he feels this is the time to do so.
“At the end of the day, this is about time,” Johnson noted. “When I look at next year, I’ve been dreaming of racing as much as I could for 40 years. I started racing dirt bikes at (age) five and I’ve chased this dream that whole way. We waited to start our family until a little bit later, just trying to be smart with timing in some respects. But I know myself and I knew that at some point that all this was going to really weigh on me and I was going to want to be around a lot more. It’s hard to believe that they’re nine and six now, and that much time has elapsed. But you know, I’ve just had a fire in me to push for that and to stay at the track. And I still have that fire and am coming back next year … because I know I can give what I need to give to this team for another year.
“Then after that, I’m ready to have some time back on my side and just have a better balance in life.”
That balance comes back to family, and while Johnson isn’t yet sure exactly what the future will hold starting in 2021, he does know it won’t include racing 38 weekends a year anymore.
“As a family, we love to travel. I could see us trying to see and travel around the world, see places and travel around the world,” Johnson noted. “It is so new though, to where we are still kind of working through that whole process, that we don’t know what 2021 will ultimately look like for us.
“The good news is that we’re announcing this early, so we’ve got a year to kind of work through all that stuff and see where we’re going for the future.”
As Johnson closed his remarks and the final questions wound away, there was one last moment where he called to mind all the people he’s met and been impacted by in the sport since he first came to NASCAR in 2001.
He hesitated for a moment, choking back tears, as he reflected on leaving that family to ensure that the family he built for himself will be the main focus of his next phase in life.
“There’s been a lot said today, but I’m just so thankful to literally have chased a dream since I was a kid to race,” Johnson said. “I’m very, very thankful. Thankful for the relationships that I’ve built in this sport and thankful for my family and their support that they’ve given me all these years to chase this dream and follow my passion.
“My mind’s run wild on me and I’m trying not to cry, but thanks to everyone. Onward to 2020.”