Jimmie Johnson, the 48-year-old California native, has amassed an impressive motorsports career that includes 83 NASCAR wins, 7 NASCAR Cup titles, and various races in IndyCar, the Indianapolis 500, 24 Hours of Daytona, and 24 Hours of Le Mans. He has also been named five-time Driver of the Year and is a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. However, his motorsports bucket list is nearly complete, with only a desire to race at Monaco remaining. Johnson has embraced the role of a ‘Gentleman Racer,’ choosing to enter races he wants to participate in, rather than feeling obligated to race full-time.
After retiring from full-time NASCAR Cup Series competition in 2020, Johnson transitioned to part-time racing in the IndyCar series in 2021 and full-time in 2022. He also competed in the IMSA sports car series in 2021. In 2023, he became a NASCAR team owner by purchasing a stake in Petty GMS Motorsports and rebranding the team as Legacy Motorsports. Johnson now has the freedom to pick and choose the races he wants to enter, focusing on marquee events and tracks that he loves to race on, such as Dover, Delaware, which is his favorite track.
While Johnson’s performance in IndyCar and NASCAR races since his retirement may not have been record-breaking, he remains content and focused on enjoying the sport. He acknowledges that he may not be at his competitive peak but emphasizes that his love for driving and being part of the racing industry is what drives him. Johnson compares his love for racing to musicians playing instruments late in life, expressing his passion for the sport and his desire to help his race team and the industry grow. Despite the struggles he has faced trying to become competitive in the new NASCAR Next Gen car, Johnson’s enthusiasm for racing remains unwavering.
Looking back on his illustrious career, Johnson reflects on the memorable moments and achievements that have shaped his legacy in motorsports. He reminisces about swapping cars with F1 champion Fernando Alonso for a demonstration run in 2018, driving an F1 car, and fulfilling the various milestones that have made his career exceptional. Johnson’s willingness to try new challenges and race in different series showcases his versatility and passion for racing. He continues to pursue his love for the sport, even if it means not achieving the same level of success as he did in earlier years.
As Johnson embraces the later stages of his racing career, he values the opportunity to continue doing what he loves and contributing to the growth of the sport. His dedication to helping his race team thrive and supporting the industry demonstrates his commitment to leaving a lasting impact on motorsports. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future wins and racing success, Johnson remains grateful for the opportunity to race and be a part of a sport that has been a defining aspect of his life. Ultimately, for Jimmie Johnson, the joy of driving and being involved in racing far outweighs the need for additional victories on the track.
