Petty GMS Racing has an ingenuous idea for Jimmie Johnson’s car number on his cup return

Petty GMS Racing has an ingenuous idea for Jimmie Johnson’s car number on his cup return

Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson (Images via IMAGO? USA Today Network)

Seven times cup champion Jimmie Johnson is set to make his NASCAR return in 2023. The veteran will race in the season opener Daytona 500 in February. His cup return was made possible after he joined PGR’s owners’ group. Johnson will drive in 6 cup races alongside Erik Junes and Noah Gregson next season.

One of the biggest questions that have been bugging NASCAR fans when Johnson’s return was announced was his car number. Alex Bowman of HMS currently races his iconic No:48 car. Rick Hendrick’s team will not surrender their charter for Johnson to take over. So the team needs to find a new number with marketing possibilities in 2023.

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Petty GMS President Mike Beam has an idea inspired by fans’ suggestions. They contemplated using the No:49, which is ‘two times 7’. Petty GMS co-owners Johnson and Richard Petty are seven times cup champions. The number can be a perfect homage to their career achievements.

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“Once we announced with Jimmie, people started connecting the dots. Seven times seven is 49. Holy crap, I would have never thought of that. We have two seven-time champions, and if you multiply seven times seven, you get 49. That would be a perfect number for our team with Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson,” Mike Beam said.

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Jimmie Johnson has another number on his mind

Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Johnson

In the past, NASCAR allowed teams to use three-digit numbers, but now it isn’t possible. If that was the case, the veteran could have easily used the No: 048 car. Johnson used the No:48 during his two years in the IndyCar series. But now he has no option other than going for a separate number.

Jimmie Johnson said that they could use No:84  in his return. He said, “It will definitely be a different number. My daughter asked me that the overnight. Maybe it will be 84. We’ll just switch around the 4 and the 8,”.

The cup return is more than just a numbers game for Jimmie Johnson. It might redefine the perfect legacy he left behind in NASCAR. On the other hand, Petty GMS has one of the most beneficial NASCAR deals of all time as they can market their brand with two records of NASCAR champions as the face.

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