by Holly Cain

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Jimmie JohnsonJimmie Johnson’s selection Monday as the Associated Press Athlete of the Year isn’t just a well-deserved honor for the four-time NASCAR champ, but validation for NASCAR’s place in the sporting world and a nice holiday antidote to all the recent athletes-gone-wild headlines.

Johnson is the first race driver ever chosen in the 78-year old history of the award. And while you could argue others before him — Michael Schumacher, John Force, Richard Petty or Dale Earnhardt — also deserved the honor, Johnson is a perfect selection to cross that threshold. The good guy at the right time.

“The wave is finally peaking, and we don’t know where it’s going to take us,” Johnson said of the recognition.

“The fourth straight title takes it out of our sport and makes it a point of discussion — like, ‘Wow, a race car driver won this thing.’ “

Not only are his four consecutive Sprint Cup Series titles unprecedented, Johnson won them during the most competitive era in his sport’s history — posting a series-best 29 wins in his No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet during the span.

 

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