Yahoo Autos Report: Jimmie Johnson Returning to NASCAR with Petty GMS
Jimmie Johnson may be on the fast track back to the NASCAR Cup Series.
According to a published report in The Athletic, Johnson is in the process of acquiring an ownership stake in Petty GMS Racing organization. As part of the deal, the 47-year-old Johnson will drive for the team in select races next season.
Petty GMS Racing is led by Maury Gallagher and Richard Petty. Petty sold controlling interest in the team to Gallagher at the end of 2021.
NEWS: Jimmie Johnson is finalizing a deal to obtain an ownership stake within the Petty GMS organization starting in 2023, sources close to Johnson and Petty GMS have told @TheAthletic. Johnson will also drive in select races for the team. An announcement is expected this week.
— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) November 2, 2022
Johnson competed in the Cup Series from 2001-2020 where he won 83 races and seven championships, including five consecutive championships from 2006-2010. But that entire tenure was with one team, Hendrick Motorsports. He raced full time for Hendrick in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2000.
Johnson retired from NASCAR after the 2020 season to pursue other challenges. Since then, he raced in select IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship events and in IndyCar. Johnson raced the full season in IndyCar in 2022. He finished 21st in the season points standings.
I couldn’t have asked for a better experience in the @Indycar series. Looking ahead, I will not return to INDYCAR full time in 2023 but will continue to look for new ways to challenge myself and participate in bucket list events. Hear more: https://t.co/H3e7X6PTLG pic.twitter.com/0kujpWdCaw
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) September 26, 2022
Johnson released a statement on September 26, saying that he is stepping away from racing full time in IndyCar going forward to “participate in bucket list events.” And surprisingly, it looks like some races still on that list, fall under the NASCAR banner.