Can Jimmie Johnson make it eight?

It wasn't the first question posed to Jimmie Johnson at the NASCAR Media Tour presented by Charlotte Motor Speedway, but it did come.

Winning a record-breaking eighth championship.

The defending Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion was the first of what would be 24 drivers to face the media Tuesday in Charlotte. Now being introduced as a seven-time champion, Johnson was asked about enjoying his offseason in Aspen, how he feels about the new race format and what it means for a team's race day strategy.

Johnson laughed off the format change being implementing because he won yet another title. But now that Johnson has that elusive seventh championship, does this season bring more or less pressure to become the only man standing at the top of the NASCAR mountain?

"I'm really content with where I'm at and happy with where I'm at, so I guess less pressure," Johnson said. "Truthfully, I've felt like there hasn't been a lot of pressure on me through six and seven because I never even thought I'd have one to start with, you know?"

After winning five consecutive titles from 2006-2010, the weight of those accomplishments left Johnson when he lost the title fight in 2011. In a way, defeat has allowed Johnson to refocus his attention on things the last few years other than what takes place within the bubble of the No. 48 team.

Now the veteran of Hendrick Motorsports, Johnson feels a large responsibility when it comes to being a leader for the company and being there for his teammates. With the formation and role of the driver council, Johnson said he also feels a calling to being involved in that group and trying to help the sport.

"Absolutely, I'm showing up to win races and championships," Johnson said. "But, I feel almost more pressure to handle [the other areas] correctly than I do to go out and win an eighth [championship]. Some of that could be that with Chad Knaus running our race team, most of the T's are crossed and the I's are dotted, and you're in good shape. And I know that starting my 16th season, but I'm trying really hard to not let that pressure be on me."

Aside from looking to surpass Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, there is little Johnson has not accomplished in the Cup Series.

With 80 career wins, Johnson is the winningest active driver (when Jeff Gordon is not substituting for Dale Earnhardt Jr.), and he sits sixth on the all-time wins list. He's a two-time winner of the Daytona 500, a four-time of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte, as well as a four-time winner at Indianapolis. Of the current Cup Series schedule, there are just three tracks – Chicagoland, Kentucky, and Watkins Glen – where Johnson has not been victorious.

Racing is also not the sole focus for Johnson, who will celebrate his 42nd birthday this year. Johnson takes great pride in being actively involved with what his two daughters have going on, and both Knaus and team owner Rick Hendrick encourage him to find the balance of personal and professional. Which is part of what Johnson points to helping keep the pressure associated with fighting for a championship at bay.

"I want to balance life from professional or personal life, and the pressure of a professional life can really affect your personal life," Johnson said. "So, it's there. It shows up if you want it or not. I'm just trying to manage it and have a good time through it all."