“I always wanted to be a single-seat driver.” This was the dream all along for NASCAR’s seven-time Cup Series champion. Jimmie Johnson had made his place on the Mount Rushmore of NASCAR, yet he felt a void after signing during his final years of racing on ovals. The roar of the crowd, the grind of the schedule- it all started to feel like a heavy chain around his neck. He’d conquered stock cars, but his heart kept pulling him somewhere else. Somewhere faster. Somewhere riskier. At 49, when most would coast on their legacy, Johnson took a wild swing—leaving NASCAR’s comfort zone for the unpredictable world of IndyCar.
Growing up on the West Coast, Johnson didn’t dream of NASCAR’s ovals. It was IndyCar legends like Rick Mears and Mario Andretti who lit that fire in him as a kid. NASCAR came later, almost by accident, and he dominated it—winning the Brickyard 400 and stacking titles like trophies on a shelf. But the itch never went away. By 2021, he couldn’t ignore it anymore. He jumped into IndyCar, trading the familiar for a brutal new challenge. And he didn’t have second thoughts about making that switch despite having a decorated career in NASCAR.
Jimmie Johnson could’ve been an IndyCar racer
Although nothing is confirmed just yet, there are rumors that Johnson is planning his own double, a feat that screams ambition. He is set to reach 700 NASCAR career starts with his participation at Coca-Cola 600 and he could cap his NASCAR journey off with a historic double. This isn’t about money; NASCAR’s cost-cutting reality has slashed driver salaries, as he’s pointed out himself. This is personal. But why the inclination towards open-wheel? The LMC co-owner shared a personal take while speaking on the Business of Sport podcast.
“I chased it but the grind of the NASCAR schedule had taken its toll on me, and that fire was fading you know that burning fire was fading. I always wanted to be a single-seat driver that was my ambition as a kid. I didn’t know of NASCAR growing up on the west coast of the states it was IndyCar and Rick Mears and Mario Andretti all these other names were my heroes growing up, so I had a chance to go IndyCar racing and I took it in 21 and 22… I wanted to try something different and I didn’t give a s— what anyone else thought. This was for me.” Johnson explained. That’s the Jimmie Johnson we don’t always see, the guy who’d rather sip wine than bow to expectations.
After winning his seventh title in 2016, the next year was marked as the last year for Johnson where he bagged race wins and contended for championships. The real decline came when JJ and Chad Knaus parted ways in 2018, and this was also the last year with Lowe’s. From 2018 to 2020, the HMS star went winless for the next three years, and this is when he shifted his attention to IndyCar. After all, he had achieved everything he could in NASCAR and took a sabbatical to follow his passion for single-seat racing.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MAY 29: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Chip Ganassi Racing Carvana Honda, prepares to get in his car prior to the 106th Running of The Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 29, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
He joined Chip Ganassi Racing in 2021 and ran two full seasons against some of the best open-wheel racers. Driving the No. 48 Dallara DW12 in the first year, he couldn’t make a dent with his performances on the racetrack. Johnson ended his debut IndyCar season 26th in the championship standings with 108 points, but the next year was an improvement. He bagged a P6 finish at Texas Motor Speedway and a P5 result at Iowa. His NASCAR prowess on ovals did help him here, and that reflected on the overall standings as Johnson ended the 2022 season 21st in points. Well, the honeymoon didn’t last as he returned to NASCAR as an owner for Legacy Motor Club. And let’s just say the last two years have been nothing but a learning process for the 7-time champ.
New year, same old struggles for LMC
Johnson admitted last July, “I didn’t think it would be this tough,” reflecting on ownership while juggling his IndyCar dreams. Now, his Legacy Motor Club is crumbling under a storm no one saw coming. It’s not just a racing team; it’s his heart, his next chapter. Who knows, LMC could be seen at the IndyCar level soon, given how rapidly they are expanding their racing operations. However, as far as the NASCAR operations go, Johnson and his team have been unable to crack the code. Adding to their woes is a recent Martinsville muckup.
Erik Jones crossed the line, a glimmer of hope for a struggling team. Then, bam—disqualified. NASCAR crushed their joy, ruling the car illegal for not meeting the minimum weight requirement in post-race inspection. “After a thorough audit by the Club today, we have concluded that we did not give ourselves enough margin to meet the post-race requirement. Although it was not intentional, we are taking steps internally to prevent this from happening again. We, therefore accept the penalty and apologize to NASCAR, our partners, and our fans,” they said.
Well, the switch from Chevy to Toyota was seen as a big gamble by Johnson and Co. at LMC. Although they hold a tier-1 partner status, they are nowhere near the likes of 23XI Racing and Trackhouse Racing. Both teams have entered NASCAR recently, alongside LMC. With Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemehek leading the line, they have the talent, but the team needs to back them up with competitive race cars and program. Nemechek has shown some flashes of brilliance with a P5 finish at Daytona 500, but he finds himself 17th in the points standings outside the playoff bubble. Meanwhile, Jones is placed 29th and that is a big concern for the Legacy Motor Club team.
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