Jan 30, 2023 | 11:41 AM EST
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ddINDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 21: NTT IndyCar series driver Jimmie Johnson stands near the Borg Warner Trophy on May 21st, 2022 after qualifying for the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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ddINDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 21: NTT IndyCar series driver Jimmie Johnson stands near the Borg Warner Trophy on May 21st, 2022 after qualifying for the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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ddINDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 21: NTT IndyCar series driver Jimmie Johnson stands near the Borg Warner Trophy on May 21st, 2022 after qualifying for the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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ddINDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 21: NTT IndyCar series driver Jimmie Johnson stands near the Borg Warner Trophy on May 21st, 2022 after qualifying for the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
This year, Jimmie Johnson is making his comeback to the NASCAR Cup Series. What’s interesting about his return is that he is a driver/team owner like a few others. In the buildup to the season, Johnson has been hard at work preparing and even took part in the pre-season test at Phoenix. However, Bubba Wallace‘s spotter Freddie Kraft had a few reservations about whether Johnson actually needed a test.
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Speaking on the Door Bumper Clear podcast, Kraft said, “There’s some kind of provision for that. I assume it’s—I don’t understand—It’s almost like you’re letting him have a rookie test because he doesn’t have experience in the car. But like, should Noah be allowed to go out there, or Chandler Smith, or Travis Pastrana?
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“I feel like he would have been just fine, probably. Showing up to Daytona and holding it wide open, but whatever. They’re kind of making them up as they go, as we’ve seen numerous times.”
How will Jimmie Johnson perform on his comeback to NASCAR?
It is difficult to assess how the former Hendrick Motorsports champion will deliver on his comeback. After all, he has been away from the game for two years, so there is a possibility that he might be a little rusty.
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 29: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Carvana Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, looks on during practice for NTT IndyCar Series Gallagher Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 29, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
It also does not help that the car he last raced in is not the same as the one that he will race this year. The sport has switched to the Next Gen car, and it has already been a full year for most of the grid.
On the brighter side, Johnson has not been idle during his time away from the sport. He competed in the IndyCar Series during the last two years. Admittedly, the first season only limited him to road courses. However, he took part in the full season the following year.
Now, it is just a matter of actually seeing if Jimmie Johnson can keep up with everyone else in his limited race appearances.
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