Jimmie Johnson admits he should’ve retired from NASCAR “a few years earlier” to be competitive in IndyCar

Racing legend Jimmie Johnson still misses his IndyCar days.

Jimmie Johnson admits he should’ve retired from NASCAR “a few years earlier” to be competitive in IndyCar

Jimmie Johnson (Via IMAGO)

Seven times NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson retired from full-time NASCAR racing after the 2020 season to explore a career in IndyCar. He joined Chip Ganassi Racing in 2021 to race part-time in the open wheel racing championship, before racing a more stacked schedule the very next-season.

Jimmie Jhonson, though showed some progress including the rookie of the year win in the Indy 500, failed to produce the solid finishes he was expected to do. Recently ahead of the 2024 Brickyard 400, he admitted that he missed IndyCar and should have made a move away from stick car racing few years earlier so he could have the five years sweet spot to understand the cars.

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I really do miss it. I feel like I should’ve made the switch a few years earlier. I always have believed that you need five years – five years is the sweet spot before you really understand a given vehicle.
Jimmie Johnson told IndyStar.

He went on to say that he made great progress in his two years in the series, especially the oval tracks. But he didn’t have enough time to give anymore due to the ate retirement along with other commitments.

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I made great progress from Year 1 to Year 2, and I did do well on a few of the ovals, but it was just going to take more time, and I just didn’t have any more to give – especially at that commitment level. It felt like ‘work’ again.
Jimmie Johnson added.
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Jimmie Johnson wants to race in the Indy 500 again

The veteran racers family wasn’t really fond of him racing in the Indy 500, which is one of the most dangerous races in the Motorsports world. Hence, he had lot of convincing to do back then to race in the series and currently it is the same situation as he really wants to race, but first has to get his family’s permission.

Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Johnson (Via IMAGO)
I was standing there Sunday on race day, I was thinking, “(Expletive), I need to be out there.” It’s still in there. If the right opportunity came up … but then I have three ladies at home that I need to get approval from.
Jimmie Johnson said.

It would be interesting to if Jimmie Johnson ever race in the IndyCar again and if he would be able to race again in the series, it’s sure that both NASCAR and IndyCar fans would love to see the racing legend coming back.

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