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The odds are against him, but Jimmie Johnson eyes a return to NASCAR's summit

Veteran NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson, one of only three drivers to win seven NASCAR Cup Series titles, is trying to recapture his former stock car racing glory. Vegas doesn't like his odds in Sunday's race, but he's fine with that.
Veteran NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson, one of only three drivers to win seven NASCAR Cup Series titles, is trying to recapture his former stock car racing glory. Vegas doesn't like his odds in Sunday's race, but he's fine with that.

One of the most accomplished names in motorsports will race Sunday at Circuit of the Americas, and almost no one expects him near the leaderboard.

Jimmie Johnson, the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, retired from stock car racing after 2020, spent two years fulfilling an IndyCar dream and now is back in NASCAR running a limited schedule in the No. 84 Chevrolet.

"I'm wearing many hats these days," the 47-year-old Californian told the American-Statesman, "and the ownership hat is more my focus at this point. I've been branching out to Europe and beyond and hoping to bring back new ideas and technology. Before, it was easy, I just needed to win. Now I'm thinking much more globally."

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Johnson, tied with Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty for the most Cup titles, bought an ownership stake in Petty GMS Motorsports. His Legacy Motor Club also fields cars for Erik Jones and Noah Gragson.

Johnson ran Daytona and was competitive until a late crash took him out. This is the second of four events for the 83-time Cup winner, who also will do the Coca-Cola 600 and the new Chicago street course race.

"We're looking at a couple more," he said. "I certainly don't want the third car to take away from the other two, so it's a balancing act."

Twenty-two drivers have better odds than the 50-1 Vegas placed on Johnson in Sunday's EchoPark Automotive Texas Grand Prix.

"I'm not used to being the underdog, but it's appropriate," he said. "I think a top 10 would be a great showing."

More: NASCAR drivers may not know COTA, but this F1 duo racing Sunday sure does

Kyle Larson, second in the inaugural NASCAR COTA race in 2021, is the favorite at 6.5-1. Defending champ Ross Chastain and Kyle Busch are 8-1. Tyler Reddick, who broke the track's single-lap speed record in qualifying Saturday, is 9-1. William Byron, who won the pole, has risen from 14-1 to 10-1.

Crossover Corvette Racing sports car star Jordan Taylor, subbing for injured Chase Elliott (broken leg) in the Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 car, opened a lot of eyes by qualifying fourth.

Johnson, meanwhile, is enjoying his Central Texas stop.

"It's my first time racing here, but I've practiced on the track in other types of cars over the years," he said. "I have friends who live in Austin, so I've been here quite a bit. I'm excited about our relationship with Club Wyndham, which has a beautiful facility here. I just wish COTA would have been on the IndyCar circuit my two years there."

Jimmie Johnson, driving the No. 84 Chevrolet, thinks NASCAR should hold more road races like the one at Circuit of the Americas, not fewer. "I have 82 wins on ovals, only one on a road course, so you'd think I'd be in the oval camp," he said. "But I think fans love the diversity of road courses, street courses and ovals."
Jimmie Johnson, driving the No. 84 Chevrolet, thinks NASCAR should hold more road races like the one at Circuit of the Americas, not fewer. "I have 82 wins on ovals, only one on a road course, so you'd think I'd be in the oval camp," he said. "But I think fans love the diversity of road courses, street courses and ovals."

Johnson said the track should be an annual NASCAR stop.

"This is a world-class racing facility, and I think all the top racing series should be here," he said. "The top series need to hit the top tracks, and in North America this is one of top tracks. To me, it's simple logic."

NASCAR's move to a record six road courses in 2023 has drivers divided, with Brad Keselowski telling the Statesman it is "preposterous." Johnson disagreed.

"I have 82 wins on ovals, only one on a road course, so you'd think I'd be in the oval camp," he said. "But I think fans love the diversity of road courses, street courses and ovals. We have many different shapes and sizes and mix it up. A lot of the larger racing audience likes road courses. I think they offer more for our fan base."

Johnson knows Formula One is making serious inroads on NASCAR's title of King of American Motorsports. Although NASCAR still draws the biggest U.S. audience, the numbers have been in a long and steep decline.

"I suggest there's a lot of excitement around NASCAR's track decisions, like coming here," Johnson said. "We've got the TV rights fees coming up in 2025. Sure, it's not where it was in the late ’90s or early 2000s, but other sports are suffering. Everyone is trying to solve that. It is like the billion-dollar question, not million."

The glitzy, high-tech allure of F1 is obvious.

"The glamour intrigues people. Through the TV lens, it looks like a place you want to be," Johnson said. "The celebrities and stars it attracts are ambassadors for the sport. It's hard to argue against NASCAR having the best product on the track. But Formula One is winning by a wide margin before the lights go out. There is a way to create that here, and it needs to happen. With Legacy Motor Club branching out to other areas, we want to help generate that experience."

Johnson said the sheer speed and dynamism of an F1 car is a rush.

"I drove one in 2018. My best day ever in a car," he said. "We did a car swap with Fernando Alonso in Bahrain. My one time, and it was incredible.

"I love that we've got Jenson (Button) and Kimi (Raikkonen) in this race. They bring in new fans. I encouraged Jenson to push forward, go get uncomfortable, try something different. Having them here is vital in helping create the experience a NASCAR race weekend should be."

NASCAR at COTA

Through Sunday, Circuit of the Americas; tickets — individual Sunday, $90-$185

Sunday — EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix Cup Series race 2:30 p.m. (Fox)

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson relishes latest shot at another title