Yahoo Autos NASCAR Legend Jimmie Johnson Makes One Thing Perfectly Clear: He's NOT Retiring
One day after announcing he would no longer compete full time in the NTT IndyCar Series, Jimmie Johnson brought his plans a bit more into focus.
One thing Johnson is NOT doing, and that’s retiring.
He admitted numerous headlines that came out Monday indicating he was retiring from racing were incorrect.
One day after announcing he was scaling back to competing in only select events in IndyCar—and was looking at other opportunities in racing as a whole—Jimmie Johnson brought his plans a bit more into focus during a Tuesday morning media teleconference.
Among the high points the seven-time NASCAR Cup champion is looking at, in no particular order, are:
Running “The Double,” namely, the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. The last driver to attempt the double was Kurt Busch in 2014.
Running next year in Le Mans as part of the NASCAR-affiliated “Project 56” program.
In addition to the Indy 500, Johnson is also considering running other select IndyCar races, including his “home race," the Long Beach Grand Prix, and potentially a combination of races on oval tracks and street or permanent road courses.
Competing again in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona and perhaps a few other IMSA races if his schedule permits.
He may even come back to do a few NASCAR races, with keen interest in the Busch Clash, the NASCAR All-Star Race and perhaps a few other one-offs like at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
But there’s one thing Johnson is NOT doing, and that’s retiring. He admitted numerous headlines that came out Monday indicating he was retiring from racing were incorrect.
“I saw that too and just kind of chuckled, mainly because I tried to retire once already (from NASCAR) and it didn't work out,” Johnson said with a laugh. “A second time, it’s kind of like the boy that cried wolf.
“I really don't feel like this is the end of driving for me. I feel like it's a chance to pivot and run marquee events and look for these amazing experiences that any driver would want to have. Publicly knowing I have the support from Carvana, they're still very interested and we're expecting to continue on IndyCar with me. So to be in the situation I am in. I don't think the word retirement is correct. But it’s certainly a pivot to less, so slowing down or part time. I had fun with these hats that I was wearing, it was rookie then it was full-time, now maybe it should be a part-time hat.”
Rather, Johnson still wants to keep his hand in IndyCar somewhat, as well as try other forms of racing. And having just turned 47 years old, the El Cajon, California native potentially could continue racing at his own pace for several more years to come.
“I've just recently made this decision and haven't had any time to explore options,” Johnson said. “So I feel like here in the coming weeks or month or so, I should understand and know what opportunities are out there for me.
“I do feel like I'm in a good place in the budget cycle for corporate dollars and for the potential to bring Carvana (his primary sponsor in IndyCar in the recently completed 2022 season, and which has said it will continue to support his racing efforts in 2023) along and or any other interested parties. So I think my timing is in a good spot and we'll just see what the coming weeks bring.”
Although Johnson said his decision to scale back from fulltime racing in IndyCar “gives me the chance to go out and speak to other teams, looking at other opportunities, other series,” it’s likely he’ll stay joined at the hip with Chip Ganassi Racing for many of his upcoming adventures, including IndyCar and IMSA.
“I’ve really only spoken to Chip,” Johnson said. “I truly feel like I'm part of the family at CGR, and if I am in an Indy car, that’s really where I want to be. I know that team, I know the inner workings of it. I do feel like we are working hard to continue the relationship together. So that that would really be my intention, if I was able to put something together and come back into IndyCar, I’d love for it to be there.”
Arguably near the top of his racing bucket list is to do The Double.
