Johnson back in NASCAR in Petty tie-up
Jimmie Johnson will return to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2023 as an owner-driver after the seven-time champion agreed a deal to buy into the Petty GMS Racing squad.
Johnson, who won all of his Cup titles with Hendrick Motorsports, has focused on Indycar racing and selected IMSA Sportscar outings in the past two years since bringing his NASCAR career to a close in 2020.
The 47-year-old announced in September that he would step back from full-time competition next year and would not return to Indycar with Chip Ganassi Racing. He has now entered an ownership agreement with Maury Gallagher and chairman Richard Petty at the Petty GMS organisation.
The team currently fields the famed #43 Chevrolet driven by Erik Jones, while Xfinity Series runner-up Noah Gragson will replace Ty Dillon in the #42 car next year. The team will enter a third car in a handful of events for Johnson, including the season-opening Daytona 500. It will be his 20th appearance in NASCAR’S biggest race, which he has won twice before in 2006 and 2013.
“Having a driver the calibre of Jimmie driving our equipment and being able to provide feedback to our crew chiefs and engineers but, most importantly, mentoring Erik and Noah will be invaluable,” said Gallagher. “Perhaps most important of all, Jimmie will be a great partner.”
“When the Indycar season ended I started on this journey of what was next,” said Johnson. “Team ownership makes so much sense at this stage of my career.”
Johnson’s part-time 2021-22 Ganassi l team-mate Tony Kanaan will drive a fourth Arrow Mclaren SP entry in next year’s Indy 500. The 2013 winner will join team regulars Pato O’ward and Felix Rosenqvist as well as new AMSP full-timer Alexander Rossi for his 22nd start in the big race.