AVONDALE, Ariz. — Jimmie Johnson is formally returning to NASCAR — as a group co-owner and part-time motorist.
The 47-year-old seven-time NASCAR champ retired from full-time NASCAR competitors at the end of the 2020 season and invested the last 2 years racing for Chip Ganassi in the IndyCar Series.
But now, he’s coming back to NASCAR after getting an ownership stake with Petty GMS Motorsports, Johnson revealed Friday. The news was veryfirst reported by The Athletic‘s Jordan Bianchi on Wednesday.
In addition to the ownership stake, Johnson will likewise run a restricted schedule for the group — consistingof the 2023 Daytona 500.
Johnson revealed his relocation on Twitter right priorto a press conference at Phoenix Raceway, which will host the NASCAR Cup Series champion race Sunday.
“Honestly, it feels amazing,” Johnson stated Friday. “I needto state, I did not see this in my future. This is something that — an chance that’s established that makes sense for so numerous methods, so numerous factors. …
“It’s simply a life-altering chance for me and one that I had to take, so I’m really delighted about this.”
pic.twitter.com/pv2BJ0Fggb
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) November 4, 2022
Petty GMS presently fields 2 vehicles: Erik Jones in the No. 43 Chevrolet and Ty Dillon in the No. 42 Chevrolet, however Xfinity Series chauffeur Noah Gragson will take over the No. 42 automobile full-time in 2023.
In December 2021, now-majority owner Maury Gallagher purchased Richard Petty Motorsports, and the company endedupbeing Petty GMS Motorsports. With the ownership stake, Johnson signsupwith fellow seven-time champ and Richard Petty, likewise the chairman, in the company, and the 2 chauffeurs have a integrated 14 NASCAR titles and 283 success.
“You’ve got to be joking. Jimmie Johnson desires to be included with us?” Petty stated of his preliminary response priorto the offer came together.
“From my perspective, it’s a huge, huge action, not simply for one year, however I’m looking evenmore down the roadway,” he continued. “I’m 85 years old, so I’m not going to be here for another 15, 20 years. Then Jimmie can kind of take over, so that had to be plus-plus.”
Jimmie Johnson with Richard Petty in in2016 (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
In September after his veryfirst full-time IndyCar season (he ran part-time in 2021), Johnson revealed his prepares to take a action back from full-time racing to pursue other co