Jimmie Johnson’s name is etched in NASCAR history. With seven Cup Series championships and a reputation for relentless determination, he’s conquered almost every challenge the sport could offer. From dominating at Daytona to mastering the toughest road courses, Johnson’s career is a highlight reel of iconic moments and hard-fought victories. Yet, for all his accomplishments, there’s one legendary feat he’s never attempted:

“The Double”— racing the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.

Fans have long wondered why a driver of Johnson’s caliber never chased this ultimate test of endurance. Recently, Johnson finally opened up and revealed the real reason behind his absence from this daring double attempt—and it’s left the NASCAR world buzzing.

The deal that stopped Jimmie Johnson’s Double dream

“The Double,” racing both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, remains one of the few feats Jimmie Johnson has never attempted. For years, fans speculated why Johnson, who has both the talent and the endurance, never took on this legendary test. On a recent episode of NASCAR’s “Hauler Talk,” Johnson finally opened up about just how close he came.

“I pushed hard for The Double back at the peak of my NASCAR days, and I had a situation develop or scenario develop to drive a Penske car,” Johnson revealed. “And at the time, Honda was the only engine supplier in the sport. And as we got closer to making a decision, I could sense (car owner) Rick (Hendrick) wasn’t really a fan of it.” Johnson, notably, won five consecutive championships in the No. 48 Chevrolet. And it was during this time that he wanted to participate in the Double.

Johnson’s story highlights the complex web of logistics, sponsorships, and manufacturer loyalties that drivers must navigate. His potential deal with Team Penske was stymied by a unique set of circumstances. At the time, Honda was the exclusive engine supplier for IndyCar, while Johnson’s NASCAR commitments were deeply tied to Chevrolet through Hendrick Motorsports. The idea of a top Chevrolet driver running the Indy 500 with a Honda engine was a non-starter for both sides. “From a manufacturer standpoint, it just didn’t seem possible,” Johnson admitted.

While he couldn’t fulfil his dream of a Double, Jimmie Johnson made his debut in the Indy 500 in 2022. This was met with huge anticipation. He qualified 21st, showing decent speed for a rookie. Throughout the month of May, Johnson’s presence brought extra attention to the event, with fans eager to see how the NASCAR legend would fare against the best in open-wheel racing. On race day, Johnson ran competitively, mixing it up with seasoned IndyCar veterans. Unfortunately, he was involved in an accident late in the race. However, Johnson was elected Rookie of the Year for the race.

As Johnson participates in the Coca-Cola 600 this week for his 700th NASCAR start, his experience at Indianapolis was a testament to his relentless drive to keep testing his limits, even after a Hall of Fame NASCAR career. As details of the deal that thwarted his Double attempt emerged, fans couldn’t help but imagine what might have been if the stars and, most importantly, the sponsors had aligned.

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NASCAR fans vent frustration over Jimmie Johnson’s missed Double

News of Jimmie Johnson’s missed Double attempt hit fans hard. Social media quickly filled with passionate, sometimes frustrated, reactions. Many couldn’t believe the deal fell apart over manufacturer politics and sponsor conflicts.

One fan pointed out, “So stupid considering that for Kurt Busch’s 2014 Double, he drove a SHR Chevy in Cup and ran a Honda with Andretti. It’s been done before.” Kurt Busch attempted “The Double” in 2014. He ran the Indy 500 with Andretti Autosport in a Honda and the Coca-Cola 600 in a Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet. Busch finished an impressive sixth at Indy and earned Rookie of the Year honors. But his Charlotte race ended early with engine failure after 271 laps.

Another fan added, “IndyCar was a spec engine series from 2006-2011. Everyone ran Honda V8s.” During those years, there was no alternative engine supplier for the Indy 500. Every team was required to use the Honda Indy V8 engine. For Jimmie Johnson, whose NASCAR career was deeply tied to Chevrolet, this created an unavoidable conflict. There was simply no way for Johnson to attempt The Double without running a Honda engine at Indy. This made the manufacturer’s hurdle impossible to clear during that era.

Skepticism about the official story also surfaced. “I refuse to believe a Cup team wouldn’t have given JJ a seat in an open car during any of the years he was active in IndyCar,” one fan commented. Some fans saw it as just another case of “classic industry politics.” They felt that business interests and brand loyalty too often get in the way of great racing moments.

The overall mood was one of disappointment and frustration. Fans believed that racing should be about the drivers and the challenge. Not just the business deals behind the scenes. For many, Johnson’s missed Double is a reminder of how politics can overshadow the sport’s greatest moments.