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DAYTONA BEACH, FL: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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DAYTONA BEACH, FL: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
One of the all-time greats in NASCAR, Jimmie Johnson recently announced that he would go full-time in Indy Car next season. Johnson, who retired from stock car racing in 2020, had quickly jumped into the single-seater and underwent a rookie season in 2021.
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And for the past season, Johnson got acquainted with the whole new machinery and form of race cars; an orientation in his first season.
But for 2022, the former Hendrick driver will race the whole season for Chip Ganassi Racing, including the Indianapolis 500. And Johnson received congratulatory messages from all of his friends and colleagues, including another Indy Car and NASCAR driver, Kurt Busch.
The 23XI Racing driver assured his NASCAR colleague that he’ll love the single-seater racing, especially at the Indy500. To this, Johnson replied, “I’m fired up for it!”
Busch himself had raced at Indy500 in 2014 and finished sixth.
I’m fired up for it! https://t.co/fQ38vhCDHh
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) December 17, 2021
Indy500 – A childhood dream come true for Jimmie Johnson
After this announcement, the NASCAR legend thanked his boss Chip Ganassi and everyone who was instrumental in this journey for him. Johnson touched upon the progress he made in his first season, which has taken him closer to a long-standing dream of his.
He said, “Last season was so incredible for me and I made a lot of progress, so I know I can be competitive on tracks that I have experience on.”
“I can’t wait to be part of the Indianapolis 500, it’s a childhood dream come true.”
Jimmie Johnson, who only ran street circuits in his rookie season, described how after several tests at oval circuits, he feels ready. Johnson said, “The safety of these cars has come so far, and after I tested the ovals at Texas and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I realized this was a challenge I wanted to undertake.”
USA Today via Reuters
Apr 25, 2021; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; IndyCar Series driver Jimmie Johnson (48) races at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Clearly, Jimmie Johnson is not only fired up for his first full-time season, but he seems confident too. After a legendary career in NASCAR, will we see Johnson write another chapter in his illustrious career?
Also Read: Which Drivers Have Won a NASCAR Cup Series Race and the Indy 500?
