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“Rest in Peace”: Jimmie Johnson’s Former Ally Passing Away Leaves NASCAR Community Mourning
Riding motorcycles until he was 8, Johnson moved up to the Mickey Thompson Off-Road Stadium Series, where his mentor, Rick Johnson, arranged a meeting with Herb Fishel. After all, that 1993 meeting with the now-former executive director of General Motors Racing was what led Jimmie Johnson to someone he quickly realized was “a parent of some sort” to him.
Herb Fishel introduced Alan Miller – who was his lawyer at the time – to Jimmie Johnson, asking him to guide the teenager. As reported by Sports Illustrated, Miller recalled, “Herb introduced me to Jimmie at an off-road truck race, and within a year or two, Jimmie had become like a son to me… He’d met the Herzog Brothers in off-road, [so] I went to Milwaukee, negotiated, and bought an ASA [stock car] team for them.” But what’s so significant moment about that moment, you’d think?
That was Jimmie’s ticket into ASA, which led to the Nationwide (now Xfinity) Series and, subsequently, the Cup Series. But did you know Miller also played a role in Johnson’s comeback in 2023?
Having negotiated all of Johnson’s contracts for over 30 years, Alan Miller was the brains behind the conversion of Petty GMS Racing to Legacy Motor Club. Throughout his time in the Cup Series, Johnson drove for Hendrick Motorsports. But when he wanted to return last year, the winningest team wasn’t an option, considering NASCAR allows an organization to have a maximum of just four cars.
After “casual conversations” with Trackhouse Racing that didn’t materialize into anything, a mutual connection between Miller and Johnson emerged in Petty GMS. Who was it?
Let’s go back to Johnson’s meeting with Fishel. A couple of years after he signed Jimmie to a GM contract, they came across the Herzog brothers, who wanted to get into pavement racing. That’s where Alan Miller came in.
Eric Jones. It turns out that Miller represented both Johnson and Jones. “When this opportunity came along, it really came through the offices of Alan Miller,” Johnson said, as reported by The Athletic. Explaining that Michael Bill had been handling things in Miller’s office, the 49-year-old added, “As Michael learned about my desires to continue to drive and to try to find a different way to be involved in the sport, he said, ‘I feel like there’s an opportunity here that really makes sense on both sides.’ That was the catalyst and start of it.”
And on October 20, 2024, Johnson had to say goodbye to him one final time.
“Alan became an advisor, friend, and mentor over 30 years ago… he truly looked after me as if I was one of his own,” Jimmie Johnson wrote about Alan Miller after his passing. Aged 87, he died of natural causes, but not without leaving a lasting impression on the seven-time Cup Series champion.
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Now, Legacy Motors Club has been racing in the Cup Series for two seasons, with Erik Jones (No. 43) and John Hunter Nemechek (No. 42) running full-time and Jimmie Johnson (No. 84) running select races. Had it not been for Alan Miller, it may not have existed. That said, the professional football player-turned-lawyer wasn’t a stranger to the NASCAR garage besides his connection to Jimmie Johnson.
Miller’s sphere of influence was spread across the sport, with his law firm representing the likes of Erik Jones, Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch, Casey Mears, David Gilliland, Danica Patrick, and Helio Castroneves. But even before he delved into the NASCAR scene, he was affiliated with the sporting world.
Miller started his career playing college football, and he made it to the senior level. Pursuing law and professional football wasn’t something he could focus on at the same time, so he put a pause on his passion for football. However, he did return to his favored playing ground as a General Counsel to the AFL Player’s Association from 1965 to 1970.
Alan had a successful amateur racing career; he raced in the Central Division, SCCA CSR, and won the championship. And his fondness for auto racing would open the doors for him to get connected to the NASCAR world. His work ethic and relationships extended beyond his professional expertise. This was evident from the response of the drivers he worked with, along with the fans who poured in with the condolence messages.
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Lewis Hamilton has opted not to make his Ferrari debut during the post-Abu Dhabi Grand Prix test, telling future boss Frederic Vasseur he wasn’t eager to jump into the red car so soon.
While Carlos Sainz, whom Hamilton will replace at Ferrari in 2025, will test for his new team Williams after the Abu Dhabi season finale, Hamilton will be focusing on pre-arranged commitments with Mercedes.
“I don’t want to block him,” Vasseur said, referring to Sainz.
As for Hamilton, Vasseur explained that Ferrari did not pursue the matter with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, citing contractual obligations. “They have a contract, so I didn’t even ask Toto,” Vasseur said.
Hamilton admitted in Qatar that missing the test could leave him slightly disadvantaged when he begins his Ferrari tenure.
“It will definitely slow down the process and make the start of next year more difficult, but we will do everything we can to make up for it,” he said.
The seven-time world champion also shared his personal reasons for skipping the test.
“I know that Fred wanted me to do the test, but I was in two minds,” Hamilton explained. “The idea of getting behind the wheel of a red car for the first time in Abu Dhabi did not excite me too much. In an ideal world, I would like the first runs to be done without much scrutiny.
“Toto and the team had planned ahead for me to meet some sponsors and say goodbye to them, so I don’t think I would have been allowed to take part in the tests even if I had asked,” he added.
Hamilton revealed that he had informed Vasseur of his feelings well in advance. “I have a contract with Mercedes until December 31, and it is not a problem for me because I told Fred in advance that I didn’t really want to do it.”
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All Hendrick Motorsports drivers won Cup Series races this year. Kyle Larson stood out with the maximum, clinching 6 race victories. However, his teammate holds the bragging rights to achieving more than just race trophies. Chase Elliott went from a despicable season in 2023, where he injured himself and got himself suspended to snapping a 42-race winless streak. At the end of the year, he can pose with more than just race wins, having picked up the Most Popular Driver title.
Elliott brought a guest to the NASCAR Awards banquet – a blonde woman with striking blue eyes. Her presence confirmed the active status of our Hendrick Motorsports star’s dating life. His newly ordained better half recently poured her heartfelt wishes as Elliott turned 29th.
Ever since Chase Elliott failed to crack the playoffs last year, he has been on a mission. His snowboarding injury and race suspensions lent him the fury of a man redeeming himself. So this year during the April Texas race, Elliott edged out Ross Chastain on the second restart in overtime to win. Although his victories ceased after that, Elliott put up a consistent performance – clinching 11 top-fives and 19 top-tens. In spite of his dismissal from the Round of 8, Chase defended his Most Popular Driver status, winning the award for the 7th time.
To accompany him in receiving this honor was Ashley Stephenson, twinning with her new boyfriend in all-black attire. The talented hair stylist and lifestyle vlogger publicly posted a photo with Elliott at the Awards ceremony. Similarly, Anderson proudly uploaded a story on Instagram to celebrate Chase Elliott’s 29th birthday on 28th November. She proclaimed her love as she wrote, “Happiest birthday, Bubs!” She added her heartfelt 3-word message for Elliott: “Thankful for you,” and followed it up with affectionate emojis.
Not much is known about Stephenson and Elliott’s dating life. Both of them hail from Dawsonville, Georgia, and have reportedly been friends for a long time. According to rumors in the NASCAR world, Stephenson and Chase Elliott began dating each other after the Hendrick star split up with his ex-girlfriend, Kaylie Green. Stephenson works as a hairstylist and lifestyle vlogger in Dawsonville, often posting her work on Instagram. They have made multiple appearances on the racetrack together, and Ashley’s oldest picture with Chase on her profile dates back to mid-2020. Her appearance at the NASCAR Awards ceremony was their first public appearance together after a long while. She also shares a relationship with Ryan Blaney’s fiancee Gianna Tulio.
Dale Earnhardt Jr’s First Sighting in Infamous Firesuit Has NASCAR Fans Losing Their Minds.
After 17 long years, Dale Earnhardt Jr finally reclaims his legacy. The 26-time Cup race-winning veteran will sport those bright red colors on a racetrack once again. His estranged stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt, offered an olive branch this year in June, allowing Junior to buy the trademark for the No. 8. She retained rights over the long-lost Dale Earnhardt Inc. team. But the update means one thing – Junior fans can relive a nostalgic dream!
The podcast host and JR Motorsports owner is already creating a flutter with a wardrobe drop. Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s loyal army of fans will see a spectacle at Florence Motor Speedway on November 23rd. A fiery red firesuit embroidered with Budweiser’s famous logo is all that the NASCAR community is drooling over right now.
That Memory Lane was a long 2000-2007 journey, sprinkled with colorful victories. Starting from the 2000 DirecTV 500 win in Texas and ending with the 2006 Crown Royal 400 win in Richmond, Dale Earnhardt Jr collected 17 victories for Dale Earnhardt Inc. What stood out was his iconic bright red Budweiser fire suit that clung to the icon’s tired body during every Victory Lane celebration. From 2007, Dale Jr shifted to Hendrick Motorsports, as his stepmother tightened her control over DEI and the No. 8 logo. 17 years later, that scenario has finally changed.
Ahead of the upcoming spectacle in the South Carolina 400 race at Florence, Dale Earnhardt Jr dropped a teaser. A NASCAR fan shared a picture of modern-day Dale Jr smiling his heart out in the legendary ruby-red firesuit, holding a Budweiser beer can. The post caption encapsulated the soaring emotions of numerous fans’ hearts: “If you ever wanted to see present day @DaleJr in a Budweiser firesuit, here ya go.” Being under lock and key for so long, the famous logo will feature where it rightfully belongs – on the firesuit and car of Dale Jr, under his team JR Motorsports.
Dale Earnhardt Jr’s Florence entry will also mark the “Bud King of Beers” paint scheme’s first time on the track in 17 years. “It is an incredible opportunity for me to be able to reunite with Budweiser, and the No. 8,” Earnhardt, 50, said of the ride he made famous from 1999 to 2007. “Budweiser and I had some great memories with that iconic scheme and number. We’ve always supported each other over the years. It’s going to be really special for me to be able to represent that brand on the racetrack again.”
After all, Dale Earnhardt Jr has several precious memories in this firesuit. Less than four months after his father, the Intimidator, passed away in Daytona, Dale Jr roared back to win on the same track. Leading 116 of 200 laps, he won the Pepsi 400, and the pit crew, competitors, and fans all roared when he climbed out of his car in Victory Lane. Now that the same victory outfit is back in business, fans are ecstatic for more memories. One fan wrote, “Seeing him in a bud suit…nature has healed just a tiny bit more. The way I miss the old days though…” Another fan heaved a sigh of relief that we would be able to relive the golden era of NASCAR again. “All is right in the world,” they wrote.
Dale Earnhardt Jr holds the classic No. 8 close to his heart – given the numerous tracks he conquered wearing it. For instance, he won four of six Talladega races wearing Budweiser’s suit, the best memory coming in April 2002 when he led 133 laps. So the veteran sports an infectious smile while wearing that glorious suit today – enough to mesmerize fans. “Junior’s enthusiasm for everything NASCAR really is infectious. So glad he was/is my favorite driver,” somebody wrote.
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