General Discussion » Is Jimmy Johnson ill?
maybe he is tired of being a P/C poster child like hid Daddy Jeff Gordon.
Public speaking just doesn't appeal to Jimmie Johnson
By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Public speaking isn't a forte of three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Jimmie Johnson.
David Griffin
NASCAR Scene
NEW YORK – Just as he has done for the last couple of years, Jimmie Johnson will write his own speech to deliver during the Sprint Cup awards banquet Friday at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel.
And just like the previous two times he has won the title, the Hendrick Motorsports driver will be nervous when he delivers his words.
“It does get better, but I still don’t feel like I can just read the prompter and feel comfortable and nail it,” Johnson said Tuesday.
Johnson will try to avoid the “mistakes” he has made in the past. After his rookie season, he wanted to thank the “awful lot of people” who had helped him and ended up thanking the “awful people.” And then last year he mispronounced sponsor UGS, saying “uhgs” instead of “u-gee-ess.”
“I’m sure I’ll screw something up at some point,” Johnson said. “That’s one of those terrifying experiences, being up there front of all those people. It should be easy because it’s people I know and it’s speaking about my team and the sport.
“But it’s one of the most frightening experiences I can do.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, Johnson hadn’t started writing the speech.
“I have some thoughts, but in the past, I have stressed so much about it, and I think it’s affected and hurt my speech,” Johnson said. “So I know who I need to thank. I know what I need to do, and I’ll just put some thoughts together as we get closer.”
Mentioned Drivers: Jimmie Johnson
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Comments
4 responses to "Public speaking just doesn't appeal to Jimmie Johnson". Post a Comment.
48 Addict said:
Dec 3, 2008 at 3:29 PMIt's funny to think that someone who has so much confidence and self-discipline is terrified of public speaking. However it is listed as one of the top fears that people have. Maybe that tool of picturing everyone naked would help him...LOL.
Meg said:
Dec 3, 2008 at 4:11 PMJust forgetting one of those 30 sponsors you have to cram into your speech might be a little intimidating... LOL... Jimmie will do just fine. I don't blame him for hating it. It's usually the village idiot who comes across loud and clear at those town meetings, not the guys who know anything..
Werner Boehmert said:
Dec 3, 2008 at 5:46 PMhe's not the most entertaining speaker...now Kyle Petty and Kenny Schrader were entertaining speakers...
Anna Fie said:
Dec 3, 2008 at 6:52 PMJimmie, I think almost anyone who gets in front of all those people always have the nervous feelings. Just do your best BECAUSE YOU ARE THE BEST.