Charlotte, N.C.: Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson is quitting racing full-time to spend more time with family.
He believes the upcoming schedule will not contain more than 10 bucket-list events, but the 47-year-old didn’t know what the schedule would look like on Monday morning.
Johnson said to The Associated Press he was delighted to announce “I’ve got a blank sheet of paper, and we can now see what opportunities exist and start making a calendar.” Sponsor Carvana had already confirmed to Johnson that they would be supportive of whatever race he decides to participate in.
Johnson had to be absent two weeks after the IndyCar final, including the weekend he spent on the streets of England alongside teammates Ganassi, Scott Dixon, and Dario Franchitti at the Goodwood Festival of Speed -before deciding to cut down on his time on the track. Johnson admitted to The AP that he didn’t have time to consider his future.
“It’s been an interesting process to feel so fulfilled with the experience and try to make a decision,” Johnson said. “In the big scheme of things, so much life planning is going on with the kids. We’ve always thought of trying to live abroad for a year or two. We love Colorado and want to spend more time there. There’s just so much swirling personally and professionally that I just wanted to take some time and make the decision, not on the back of a positive or negative experience on the racetrack. “
What are you, Johnson, who announced his retirement from NASCAR by 2020, thinking about?
Le Mans
It is expected that the 24 Hours of Le Mans is scheduled to form part of NASCAR along with Hendrick Motorsports’ special “Garage 56” entry. Johnson has stated that he’s always been adamant that his team should be part of the three-driver Le Man’s lineup, even though it’s an event of The Next Gen and the car is the only one of its kind in the category.
He was waiting on the 2023 IndyCar schedule to determine if the driver would be available. However, he’ll make sure his schedule is in order should NASCAR wants its future Hall of Famer to be a participant in the event.
IndyCar
Johnson will not be back for another full IndyCar year with the Chip Ganassi Racing team. Johnson was racing on streets and roads in 2021. He also added ovals for the 2022 season but isn’t sure if or when he’ll compete in IndyCar.
“We have full support for Jimmie. Jimmie has been a valuable part of our team, and if we can figure out ways to work together, we’d like to do that,” stated team owner Ganassi.
Johnson was a struggle on the streets and roads for two seasons. However, his best performances came on ovals, the races in which he was an expert for two years in NASCAR. He finished fifth at the IndyCar championship in Iowa. However, even though the race ended with an accident during Johnson’s Indianapolis 500 debut, Johnson could complete laps with speeds over 250 mph in his impressive qualifying effort.
“I do have a desire to go back; at this point, I know what’s required to do a full schedule, and I don’t have that in me,” Johnson declared to AP. “I don’t have the passion I need to commit myself to a full season. “
Big Idea
Following the announcement that NASCAR was resigning, Johnson stated that he’d like to compete at a later date in the series, should he be it was in the right circumstance. Johnson is considering possibly accepting “the double” — the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in the future.
Kurt Busch was the only driver who attempted the 1,100-mile trip between the two states. Busch did not make it to 200 miles of completing the race when his engine malfunctioned in the NASCAR closing. Tony Stewart tried twice to finish the race but was the only driver to finish one hundred miles. John Andretti and Robby Gordon each tried to finish ahead of Busch.
Johnson is determined to try it. Johnson won the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway several times, including three consecutive victories between 2003 and 2005.
“You know me and endurance sports, and the double sounds awesome,” Johnson declared to AP. “I’ve always respected the guys who have done the double. I would say it is more of respect than a bucket-list item, and I’d love to put some energy into that idea and see if I can pull it off. “
An additional NASCAR event that’s piqued his attention? The inaugural race of the year through the streets of Chicago and the All-Star race in North Wilkesboro. Johnson is acknowledged as a former winner and an exemption to all All-Star races and the season’s opener, Clash, held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
What do you feel about different things?
The future of racing sports cars is not clear for Johnson after the last week’s IMSA season’s close, Petit Le Mans. Johnson was a part of the past two seasons racing in endurance races in a joint entry with Hendrick and Action Express. However, he doesn’t think he will have enough cars this year, as IMSA adopts new vehicles for Johnson’s race to continue.
He has told AP that he’s considering racing in a less IMSA category, such as LMP2 and LMP2. He is fascinated by the possibility of participating in the World Endurance Championship. But, the WEC Series intrigues him because of the exotic locales like Monza, Italy, Fuji Speedway in Japan, and Bahrain, and the desire to travel all over the world, which is shared with his wife and two daughters.
His wife, Chani Johnson, has been considering enrolling their daughters at school in England or France for the entire year to benefit from the learning experience. As a father who is hands-on, Johnson actively guides his children through their complete program of sports and activities. Chani Johnson, too, is the owner of an art gallery and is hoping to expand her business.
“Chani has always stood by me to the fullest extent and, at the same time, had her own goals and aspirations and pursued her path and career. I believe she’s cautiously optimistic to follow through on this strategy,” Johnson stated to AP. “But these decisions are based on family requirements and expectations. It could be challenging and more difficult for me if I’ve had some success moving and living in other countries.
“But the decision-making processes will take place in the coming months. As I enter this, I’d say with no regrets. I look back and take lessons from the events that have occurred, both good and bad. However, I’m not feeling any feeling of something that was left unfinished or regretted I may have. “