The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Johnson: ‘It’s what I know and what I love’
Seven-time Cup champ is running part-time schedule
BEACH, FLA. » As retirements go, Jimmie Johnson’s hiatus from NASCAR could best be compared to the dating rationalization, “We were on a break.”
True, in the two years after Johnson said goodbye to full-time racing on the stock-car circuit, he cheated on the sport that made him famous by running Indy and IMSA cars. He ran in the Indianapolis 500 and finished no better than 19th in two tries. This year, he even plans to drive in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
But now, Johnson has doubled down on his return to NASCAR, not only running a part-time schedule but also being part-owner of a team started by the legendary Richard Petty. Johnson’s first start is Feb. 19 in the Daytona 500.
“It’s what I know and
what I love,” Johnson said. “I really wanted to experience other cars and other tracks before that door closed to me. … The grind of having 19 years in Cup racing took its toll and I just wanted to drive other cars and try other things.
“Some thought it was crazy … or maybe foolish or wild that I would try and do IndyCar. But that was for me. That’s what the last two years have been and really what I intended for this year was to just fill that fun bucket and experience bucket.”
Because he was classified as a “non-chartered” car he had to qualify to make the field. He did that Feb. 15 when he posted the 23rd fastest time in singlecar qualifying, the fastest among the six non-chartered cars. As the fastest of the non-charter teams in
Wednesday’s qualifying session, Johnson and Pastrana will start 39th and 40th on Sunday. Alex Bowman and Kyle Larson are on the front row, having posted the two fastest times Wednesday.
Johnson likely would have a spot on the Mt. Rushmore of the modern-day NASCAR circuit. It’s certainly
something his fans believe as they were critical when NASCAR entered a Rose Parade float and had car depictions of Petty, Dale Earnhardt Sr., and Jeff Gordon but not Johnson. Earnhardt, Petty and Johnson have each won a record seven season NASCAR titles. Johnson had an unprecedented
five straight championships from 2006 to 2010.
Success has followed Johnson his entire career, beginning in 2002 when he won the pole position in his first Daytona 500. He won his first Cup Series race that year in his 13th start at Auto Club Speedway in
Fontana, the closest track to where he grew up in El Cajon, Calif.
“In my 19 years, a lot of crazy things happened,” Johnson said. “I could have never predicted any of it. I still look back and can’t believe we had five in a row. In the moment it happened so quick and we’re so focused on the next thing that some of it feels like it didn’t happen. I look back on it and shake my head.”
His return might be more difficult than expected from such an icon. The reason is Johnson, 47, has never competitively driven the Next Gen car, which was introduced last year by NASCAR.
“He’s probably asked me more questions , which is a little weird,” said Erik Jones, 26, who along with rookie Noah Gragson, 24, are Johnson’s teammates and employees at Legacy Motor Club. “I’ve known Jimmie for a lot of years and never really had the chance to work with him like this. It’s been fun to see how his mind works on some of this stuff. For at least a minute, it is odd.