From the March, 2006 issue of Stock Car Insider

Who's Hot?

Once again, Jimmie Johnson has earned himself a spot in this week's Who's Hot section.  Jimmie is off to the best start in NASCAR's Nextel Cup Series history!

Johnson's season thus far has gone like this:

Daytona 500 - win
Auto Club 500 - 2nd
UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 - win

Factor in that Jimmie is driving without the aid of his crew chief Chad Knuas, and you are only left to ponder...are you kidding me?

There has been some speculation that team owner Rick Hendrick is growing tired of Knaus' cheating addictions. Jimmie's recent string of races might help Rick make a decision to do away with Chad at the end of the season.

Year in and year out, Johnson is a contender for the championship. Starting this year off with 2 wins and a 2nd place finish means he'll be in the hunt for the 2006 championship.

Expect Johnson to finish well again next week as NASCAR heads to Atlanta. In 9 starts at Atlanta, Johnson has 1 win, 5 top 5's, and 4 top 10's.