Jimmie Johnson is back in town

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: November 7, 2022

American racing legend Jimmie Johnson will return to the NASCAR Cup Series, having joined Petty GMS in a part-owner role, which also allows him to make a racing comeback in 2023.

The big news of the seven-time Cup Series champion returning to the category had been rumoured recently and was confirmed during the season finale at Phoenix last weekend.

In addition to buying into the Petty GMS Racing outfit, Johnson will race at a select number of races in the 2023 season, including the Daytona 500 in a third Chevrolet.

It will be his 687th NASCAR Cup Series race, but first outside of the Hendrick Motorsports squad having raced the famous #48 Chevrolet to all his 83 wins, seven championships and two Daytona 500 victories.

Since his retirement in 2020, Johnson has focused on IndyCar and IMSA racing, but announced he would not return to the former next year taking a step back from full-time racing.

Petty GMS Motorsports will add a third Chevrolet to its stable to field Jimmie Johnson at select races in 2023. Image: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / LAT Images

But the star will be back doing what he does best in a NASCAR after entering an ownership agreement with co-owners Maury Gallagher and Richard Petty.

“It is great to be back in NASCAR,” said Johnson.

“When the IndyCar season ended I started on this journey of what was next.

“I wanted to create a good eight-to-10-race schedule with just really fun races.

“Team ownership makes so much sense at this stage of my career.

“I want to make a difference and have something tangible to show for it when it’s all said and done.

“It’s just a life-changing opportunity for me and one that I had to take. So I’m very excited about this.”

The announcement means Jimmie Johnson will not race a Hendrick Motorsports car in the NASCAR Cup Series for the first time in his decorated career. Image: Motorsport Images

Aside from racing in the big one, the Daytona 500, Johnson said further details such as his full racing schedule, sponsorships, liveries, car numbers will be revealed closer to the next year’s season.

“I think we have a few ways of looking at it,” he said.

“I have a list of races that I’m super interested in and would love to do, and then there’s also the competition point — the same point of what’s best for the team.

“Are there test sessions? It would be really nice if I can test a car, and then go to that race because so much has changed.”

In addition to the comeback of a modern giant, it brings together two of the sport’s most successful names together.

Richard “The King” Petty recorded 200 NASCAR Cup Series wins and seven championships between 1964 and 79.

The Petty GMS co-owner welcomed the arrival of the fellow seven-time champ with open arms and hopes Johnson’s expertise can turn the team, which only debuted this year into a future force.

“This has got to be one of the biggest things that has happened to the Petty crowd,” he said.

“It’s a big, big step — not just for one year, but I’m looking farther, farther down the road. Jimmie comes in, does his deal. I’m 85 years old, so I’m not gonna be here for another 15, 20 years, then Jimmie can kind of take over so that that had to be a plus-plus.”

Johnson and Petty are the only living seven-time Cup Series champions and the pair working together to chase Daytona 500 success in the famous #43 will certainly be a fan-favourite.

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the latest issue of Auto Action.

AUTO ACTION, Australia’s independent voice of motorsport.

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Jimmie Johnson is back in town

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