It has been just about a few months since Jimmie Johnson retired from full-time Cup Series racing. But Beard Motorsports advisor and their former driver, Brendan Gaughan, has said that he wanted the seven-time champion to race for his team in the 2021 Daytona 500!

Speaking in an interview, Brendan said, “Look, I’m an old guy like the old guys, so I figured I’ll give Jimmie or Jeff a call first. But Jimmie’s first response was, ‘Dude, I just left for a reason, I’m old! I don’t wanna do that!’”

The former Hendrick Motorsports No.48 has had his fair share of participation in the Daytona 500, competing 19 times and even winning it twice. Surely then, it would have been surprising to see him back on track only months after announcing his departure!

Jimmie Johnson was an ‘outside shot’, says Brendan Gaughan

“I had Noah kinda in the back of my head most of the time, and the kid’s earned his shot at a good ride. He was amazing last year, winning Daytona at the beginning of the year.”

“He’s earned it, he is over on a Chevy team, you know Dale Earnhardt Jr, which is the right manufacturing. He fits in with the Beard 62 car,” he added.

Following his exploits in the 2020 Xfinity Series campaign, one could say Gragson definitely has done everything to deserve this chance. Gaughan also reveals that the young driver certainly made the top of his shortlist, before eventually selecting him.

“Jimmie was an outside shot I was going to give him a, you know, can’t hurt to try. But Noah was in my head most of the time,” concluded Gaughan on the subject.

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Gragson will pilot the No.62 Beard Motorsports car at the 2021 Daytona 500

The Beard No.62 Chevrolet, helped by its technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing, speared through to achieve a Top-10 finish in the 2020 Daytona 500. Now, Xfinity Series driver Gragson gets a shot at a first taste of Cup Series racing action.

The 22-year-old has experience winning at Daytona, courtesy of his excellent drive in the 2020 Daytona 300. He ultimately finished 5th in the division, winning two races along the way.

Hence, both Beard Motorsports and Brendan will look on expectedly to see how Gragson performs in the upcoming Daytona 500.