Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson has had an impressive career for Hendrick Motorsports. I mean, you can just look at the first sentence and figure that out, right? After all, it says seven -time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, right?
And since Hendrick is the only team with whom Johnson has driven his 20-year career in the Cup Series, he clearly won all seven of those titles for the series ’all-time leader in victories. Of course, Johnson was one of the main reasons Hendrick owned that record, as he contributed 83 of them to No. 48 Chevrolet, second only to Jeff Gordon in team history and great for sixth all -time win on the Cup Series list.
Johnson left NASCAR following the 2020 season to pursue a part-time career in the IndyCar series, a race he plans to pursue. However, he hopes to reunite with Hendrick Motorsports next year.
But we’re not talking about seeking an eighth title here. No, Johnson expects to join Hendrick in the 2023 edition of the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in France. But he hasn’t been able to commit yet because he doesn’t know if he’s available.
Jimmie Johnson expects to reunite with Hendrick Motorsports for the 24 Hours of Le Mans racing in 2023
For the first time since 1976, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the oldest endurance race on the planet, will feature a stock car. Introduced in 2012, the Garage 56 is a special single-entry class reserved for modern vehicles, and that car will be the Chevrolet Camaro LZ1 owned by Hendrick Motorsports, the organization’s first entry into the historic event.
The LZ1 will be a modified version of the Next Gen car, and Johnson is eager to lead his former boss. But while there have been discussions between the two sides, no one has yet been able to comment as the 2023 IndyCar schedule has not yet been released. But Johnson said he was working diligently to figure out what was going on at that point (h/t NASCAR.com).
“I’m still eagerly waiting for the (IndyCar) schedule. I push behind the scenes with (IndyCar President) Jay Fry and others to try to understand what the schedule might be. I want to go to Le Mans. It will be an amazing experience to go along with Hendrick and Action Express and how this whole partnership works.
“I am thankful that I spoke to them (Hendrick and Action Express) and I know there is interest. I certainly have a ton of interest in doing this. We are just waiting for your first domino to fall. ”
Jimmie Johnson
Fortunately, there’s still time, as the race won’t happen until almost a year from now (the 2022 edition was only 10 days ago). But given the talent Rick Hendrick has at his disposal, Johnson probably just wants to secure his place on the team.
Who would have thought Jimmie Johnson would have a hard time finding a spot at Hendrick Motorsports?
Stats courtesy of Racing Reference
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