Johnson joining IndyCar in ’21
Jimmie Johnson will transition from NASCAR to IndyCar with Chip Ganassi Racing in a partnership that could pair two of the most dominant drivers of this generation on one team.
The seven-time NASCAR champ will work with the Ganassi organization to finalize sponsorship on a two-year program for Johnson to run the road and street course races on IndyCar’s schedule. If funding is secured, Johnson would be teammates with five-time IndyCar champ Scott Dixon.
The partnership announced Wednesday would also leave room for Johnson to compete in select NASCAR events because Ganassi fields only two cars in the Cup Series.
Johnson, 45, has spent his entire 20-year Cup career driving for Hendrick Motorsports, which is currently at the four-car maximum and wouldn’t have room for Johnson after he retires from full-time NASCAR competition in November.
College football: Defending national champ LSU will have fans this season at 25% capacity of Tiger Stadium but no tailgating on campus. Fans will be required to wear face coverings and observe social distancing guidelines because of the coronavirus pandemic. Although no tailgating is allowed, fans will be able to gather near their vehicles with those in their traveling parties. Tiger Stadium has a capacity of 102,321, so the reduction would allow 25,580 fans to attend LSU home games.
Cycling: Australian sprinter Caleb Ewan secured his second stage victory at this year’s Tour de France in a chaotic dash to the finish that saw Peter Sagan penalized for barging a rival. The irregular move cost Sagan his second place behind Ewan. The Slovakian was dropped back to 85th place. Primoz Roglic of Slovenia stayed safe on the 104-mile rolling ride to Poitiers to keep the race leader’s yellow jersey. He maintained a 21-second lead over defending race champ Egan Bernal of Colombia.
Golf: Two-time champ Brooks Koepka withdrew from the U.S. Open because of lingering pain in his left knee that has troubled him for most of the year. The four-time major winner withdrew before the start of the FedEx Cup playoffs, ending his season in the hopes that time off would help.
NFL: Broncos LB Von Miller likely will miss the season after suffering a serious ankle injury during practice Tuesday. The 31-year-old former defensive player of the year will seek additional medical advice before undergoing surgery. ... Pro Bowl WR Mike Evans has a hamstring injury and may not be available for the Buccaneers’ season opener against the Saints on Sunday.
NHL: Bruce Cassidy was named winner of the Jack Adams Award for coach of the year after leading the Bruins to the Presidents’ Trophy a season after taking them to the Stanley Cup Final. The Flyers’ Alain Vigneault finished second.