As the NASCAR world emerges from the stupor brought on by the first off weekend of the season, the conversation will most certainly resume on the topic of Jimmie Johnson. After all, Johnson won the most recent Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway on April 9.

And why not talk some more about the defending champion?

In Texas, Johnson proved – once again – he’s not only one of the toughest drivers to compete against, but also just as mentally strong when he drove to the winner’s circle dehydrated. The in-car drink system in the No. 48 broke during the 334-lap race, preventing Johnson from getting as many fluids as normal.

No matter, Johnson still muscled his way to the front and drove to the win. It wasn’t until after he celebrated and participated in all his Victory Lane obligations that he went to the care center for three bags of IV fluids. Two hours after collecting the checkered flag, Johnson met with the press at the media center and looked no worse for wear.

That’s a scary thought for the competition. With Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus now putting their first checkmark in the season’s win column, it negates the favorite pastime of many: speculating what’s wrong with the 48 team. Entering Texas, Johnson had seemingly stumbled out of the gate by going winless, failing to capture a stage win and qualifying no higher than 14th.

Now on the heels of the Food City 500 at Bristol, many will be wondering if Texas will be the start of another dominant Johnson run. It’s hard not to think that way.

His victory in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 made it 16 consecutive seasons (since the start of his full-time career in 2002) that Johnson has won at least one race. Of course, in each of those seasons, Johnson won multiple races – the fewest being two in 2011.

Overall, it’s now 81 career wins for Johnson. Eighty-one and counting, because don’t believe for one second it will end there. More than once I’ve brought up Johnson reaching 100 wins before it’s all said and done – something many others, including Johnson himself, have shied away from.

It’s not as far away a mark as some might think. Johnson sits seventh on the all-time wins list, just two wins behind Cale Yarborough (83) in sixth and three wins behind Darrell Waltrip and Bobby Allison (84) in fourth. After that, Johnson chases former teammate Jeff Gordon (93) and David Pearson (105).

If ever there was a driver who was going to break into the triple-digit club, it’s Johnson. Sure, Gordon was the center of this conversation for many years, but the driver who slowed him down – not only in wins but championships – upon arriving on the Cup circuit was Johnson. The difference this time around is that no one has been able to send Johnson off course.

Winning the pole for the 2002 Daytona 500 was the start of 16 years of excellence. Sixteen years of Johnson pushing himself, his team, and his competition to the limits. Johnson doesn’t just win; he wins big.

In each of the last two seasons, Johnson won five races. Looking further, between 2012 and 2016, Johnson racked up 25 victories, including his fourth Brickyard 400 (2012), his second Daytona 500 (2013) and three additional Martinsville grandfather clocks to bring his total, thus far, to nine.

Of course, one cannot mention numbers and Johnson without including the championships. Last November, Johnson won his seventh Cup title to tie the mark set by the late Dale Earnhardt and “The King,” Richard Petty. It was an accomplishment many said not only would they personally never see broken, but most likely would never be reached again.

If there is anything Johnson, Knaus and the 48 team have taught us through the years, it’s that nothing is unattainable, be it winning after qualifying last, reeling off four wins in a row or five consecutive championships, and now looking at the 100-win mark or becoming the first Cup Series driver to hoist an eighth championship.

Yes, the talk will continue to be about Jimmie Johnson, because until he takes up permanent residence on a Colorado mountain, it’s hard to ignore a great driver for too long.