Jimmie Johnson.. Voted America's Most Influential Athlete

[FBNeNotes]

as per The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson, for the second straight year, is ranked by Forbes as America's Most Influential Athlete.

"It is just a huge honour," he said. "And not only is it very good for me and my career and what I do in the racecar and my brand, I think it's very good for NASCAR as well."

This year, six of the 10 featured on the list are NFL quarterbacks, including Peyton and Eli Manning, as well as Tim Tebow, who debuted last year at No. 10, but is now ranked second.

The rankings, released Tuesday, are done by public opinion polling.

[damian_steele]

Never heard of him.
That's the thing with NASCAR, it's only relevant to Americans.
It's a shame that they couldn't vote for someone who was also known around the world.

[dardonboi]

Damian, I think it is a US thing. He is a stock car racer and I think it hasn't reached too far off this continent. In the US it is what Formula I is to Europe.

If I were picking someone from racing I am not sure that Johnson is who I would have picked but they didn't ask me. Dale Jr. has more popularity and money smarts---Mark Martin has a steadier and better image--Either of the Waltrip's have presented a better images of success.

[bluebedouin]

How on earth can a car driver be considered an athlete?

[dardonboi]

Try driving a car for 500 miles at close to 200 miles per hour in a race that last from 3 to 5 hours and see if any soccer player can do it. It is a test of upper body strength and endurance that no other sport can duplicate. Sometimes in hot weather the drivers can lose as much as 5 to 7 pounds in the course of a race. One of the drivers that I think is probably the best in Nascar spend up to 3 hours a day in the gym.

[bluebedouin]

I've driven a truck for 500 miles (not at 200mph though) can I be classed as an athlete,please?

Pretty please?

[FBNeNotes]

Johnson was joined on the list by his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. But Earnhardt slipped from third to seventh, while teammate Jeff Gordon dropped off the list completely.

Also falling off the list was Michael Phelps, Troy Polamalu, LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal, who was no longer eligible because he's retired.

Making the list this year was Jeremy Lin, Many Pacquiao, Eli Manning, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers.

[dardonboi]

I've driven a truck for 500 miles (not at 200mph though) can I be classed as an athlete,please?

Pretty please?

Sure. What color jersey do you want?

[dardonboi]

Johnson was joined on the list by his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. But Earnhardt slipped from third to seventh, while teammate Jeff Gordon dropped off the list completely.

Also falling off the list was Michael Phelps, Troy Polamalu, LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal, who was no longer eligible because he's retired.

Making the list this year was Jeremy Lin, Many Pacquiao, Eli Manning, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers.

I wonder if they are basing this on standings? Dale has certainly done a lot better than Gordon but I didn't think Johnson had done a whole lot better than either one of them. I will admit I remember things from 40 years ago now than what happened yesterday.

[bluebedouin]

Sure. What color jersey do you want?

A nice blue one to go with my van please.