NASCAR Cup Series

Johnson takes other drivers' advice, lets hair down to celebrate 40th

Published Sep. 18, 2015 9:27 a.m. ET

Tom Jensen

There are few NASCAR drivers as fanatically dedicated to physical fitness and training as Jimmie Johnson, who goes as far as changing up his diet and exercise regimen during the sport's playoffs. But sometimes, even a six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion has to skip a workout.

Especially when he was out with the boys the night before, celebrating his 40th birthday.

Johnson turned 40 on Thursday, so Wednesday night, at the first gathering of drivers in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, some of his peers encouraged him to let his hair down a little.

Asked if he felt like he was 40 when he woke up Thursday, Johnson affirmed that he did.

"I drank a little too much last night, so, yes. I felt 80 when I woke up," Johnson laughingly told reporters at the Chase media event in Chicago. "Having all 16 of us together on a weeknight usually leads to a little bit of pain."

Johnson said he was encouraged by several of his fellow Chasers.

"(Clint) Bowyer was leading the charge, which kept it fun," said Johnson. "We rarely get a moment to kind of all hang out and say, 'Hi.' It's always in passing and running around. ... We had a heck of a good time."

A late night wasn't what was originally on Johnson's schedule.

"I thought I was going to bow out early and go for a nice run or something here on the Boardwalk this morning," said Johnson. "But between Bowyer and (Matt) Kenseth, they talked me into my first drink, and then with all 16 (drivers) there ... the energy kept going and a lot of fun was had."