FIVE TIME CONSECUTIVE NASCAR CHAMPION JIMMIE JOHNSON was named as Forbes Magazine’s Most Influential Athlete for 2011
(also on the Top 10 list are teammates Dale Earnhardt Jr. #3 and Jeff Gordon #8)

Full Article
http://www.forbes.com/2011/05/09/most-influential-athletes.html

 

 

 

 

Full List
1 Jimmie Johnson
2 Tom Brady
3 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
4 Shaquille O’Neal
5 Michael Phelps
6 Troy Polamalu
7 Peyton Manning
8 Jeff Gordon
9 LeBron James
10 Tim Tebow

Why Important
Forbes is a respected magazine, it means NASCAR is not only on their radar, but Jimmie topped the list, and proves mainstream media believe that NASCAR drivers are indeed athletes.