It took more than a cold beer for Jimmie Johnson to put the 2017 NASCAR season behind him.

WSB-TV sports director Zach Klein visits with seven-time racing champion on the "We Never Played the Game" podcast to discuss his future at Hendrick Motorsports, his "Welcome to NASCAR moment" and a hope that repaving Atlanta Motor Speedway leads to continued success on the Hampton, Ga., track. Listen as Johnson touches on his "legendary" water polo career (then subscribe, rate and review):

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Kirby Smart (left) and Georgia beat Brent Key and Georgia Tech 44-42 in eight overtimes last November in Athens. The Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets bring Clean Old-Fashioned Hate off campus for 2025, playing at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2024)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

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Carleigh Knight (left) and her sister, Natalie Rogovin, look at Christmas ornaments while shopping at Kudzu Antiques + Modern in Decatur on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller