Jimmie Johnson returns to NASCAR cup series as owner-driver
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Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson (Images via IMAGO? USA Today Network)
Jimmie Johnson is set to return to NASCAR cup series as an owner-driver. The 7 times cup champion who retired from the cup series back in 2020 has joined the Petty GMS Racing owners’ group. He will drive part time and is set to race in the 2023 Daytona 500. He will line up alongside PGR drivers Erik Jones and Noah Gregson next season.
Johnson was competing semi-full time in the IndyCar series this season. He announced his retirement from full time racing last month after the open wheel season ended. He was approached by the Petty GMS hierarchy for potential partnership. The HMS legend joined the team as a minority stake holder as Richard Petty, another seven-time cup champion, along with majority owner Maury Gallagher.
The team will add another realm to their marketing capabilities as now they have both the record cup championship holders with them as ambassadors. The expertise and experience both these legends of the sport brings to the table is unparallel. Their mentorship might help Erik Jones to challenge the championship next-season and for Gregson to have a solid rookie season.
Also read: Christopher Bell is in the “best position to win the championship” at Phoenix
Jimmie Johnson opens up about his new NASCAR venture
Jimmie Johnson feels great to be back in NASCAR. Maury offered him the perfect next step after his Indy retirement. He said, “It’s great to be back in NASCAR. When the IndyCar season ended, I started on this journey of what was next. Maury and I connected, this opportunity came to light, and it’s the perfect fit for me,”.
Johnson believes team ownership and managing the competition side make sense for him at this stage of racing career. He said, “Team ownership makes so much sense at this stage of my career, and after spending time with Maury and his family… I realized this was something I wanted to be involved with from both the business perspective and on the competition side,”.
The 83 times cup race winner wants to be part of a tangible change with in the PGR team. He said, “If I’m going to commit to something like this, I want to make a difference and have something tangible to show for it when it’s all said and done. So, this opportunity with Petty GMS is all of that and much more,”.
Jimmie Johnson aims to impart his racing wisdom to the PGR driver’s next season. He said, “My experience and energy will add value to a team with young drivers like Erik and Noah – I feel like I can be a good resource both on and off the track,”.
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Justin P Joy
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