NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson shakes off detractors as he readies for Boston Marathon

Jimmie Johnson, better known as a seven-time NASCAR champion, will take part in a different race on Monday — the Boston Marathon.

And while Johnson is trading the steering wheel for running shoes, some racing fans online aren’t happy.

“The people that don’t train and don’t live the life I do don’t get it, and it’s easy to be a keyboard warrior from your couch,” Johnson recently told USA Today’s For The Win.

He’s taken some criticism from people online that he is spending too much effort on the marathon rather than his racing.

Johnson responded to user on Twitter last week after they questioned his commitment to auto racing, writing, “By your remarks you don’t strike me as a fan or someone that understands my DNA. Do what you need to.”

By your remarks you don’t strike me as a fan or someone that understands my DNA. Do what you need to. ✌️

— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) April 10, 2019

And in March he responded to another user writing that training for the marathon was not taking away from his car racing.

The fact people think my physical training takes away from my car racing is absurd. But thank you and you’re amazing too. https://t.co/7HzgLbXtZh

— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) March 13, 2019

Ahead of Saturday night’s race at Richmond, at which Johnson finished 12th, he also talked to FOX NASCAR about his racing and the marathon.

In the interview, Johnson talked about Sean Collier, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology police officer who was shot and killed by the two men who bombed the marathon in 2013. Collier’s brother worked with Hendrick Motorsports and Johnson got to know the Collier family. He said he would be thinking of the fallen officer during the race.

Jimmie Johnson talks with Michael Waltrip about his personal motivation to represent NASCAR in the Boston Marathon. Go get 'em Monday, Champ. pic.twitter.com/g6fNNgGpIl

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 13, 2019

After the Toyota Owners 400 on Saturday, he said he was headed to Boston.

34th to 12th tonight. Part one is done, now Boston bound.#NASCAR #Boston2019 pic.twitter.com/92e1OvUxF4

— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) April 14, 2019

Johnson was also featured in the Boston Globe last week where he described running as, “It’s a mental escape. And you are getting a fitness boost.”

8 days till Boston ??https://t.co/yYigpIUEIK

— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) April 7, 2019

This will be Johnson’s first 26.2-mile race.