Jimmie Johnson Isn’t Resting on His Laurels with NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction
Jimmie Johnson is now a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame after his Jan. 19 induction. But the seven-time Cup champion and 83-time race winner is still seeking career accomplishments.
Johnson is set to compete in nine Cup races this season, the most since he retired from full-time competition after the 2020 season. The part-owner of Legacy Motor Club recently announced his scheduled starts in the No. 84 LMC Toyota Camry XSE. Legacy has switched to Toyota power this season, joining 23XI Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing.
Johnson’s slate of races includes the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18, NASCAR’s return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s oval course in July and the season finale at Phoenix Raceway. Johnson is partnering with returning sponsor Carvana for these events.
Additionally, Johnson is scheduled to drive the No. 84 with Family Dollar/Dollar Tree for six events in 2024. Races include Texas (April 14), Dover (April 28), the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte (May 26), Las Vegas (Oct. 20) and both Kansas Speedway races.
The nine-race schedules continue Johnson’s proclivity for continuing to race despite his “retirement.”
Johnson made the switch to near-full-time IndyCar Series competition in 2021 amid great fanfare. However, his results showed the struggles of moving to a different series and entirely different type of racing. Johnson’s best finish in 2021 was 17th.
His fortunes turned around somewhat in 2022. Johnson ran a full season with Chip Ganassi, earning two top-10s, including a fifth-place finish at Iowa.
Johnson has also appeared in several IMSA endurance races since 2021, including the 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring, Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta and Six Hours of the Glen at Watkins Glen.
Notably, Johnson drove Hendrick Motorsports’ Garage 56 entry in the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans, a heavily modified Next Gen Cup car. Johnson, former F1 champion Jenson Button and Le-Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller raced to the finish of the endurance race, placing 37th overall in the “innovative class” entry.
Johnson rejoined Cup Series action last year with three races for LMC. He was involved in crashes on all three occasions. His best finish of 2023 was 31st in the Daytona 500.
“Seven-Time” will concurrently lead a new-look LMC team. Along with switching to Toyota, the No. 42 will be driven by John Hunter Nemechek. He replaces Noah Gragson who was suspended from the team last season for actions on social media. Gragson recently signed with Stewart-Haas Racing to replace now-retired driver Aric Almirola.
Erik Jones returns to the No. 43 LMC car this season for his fourth season with LMC, formerly Richard Petty Motorsports. Jones has earned one win and 26 top-10 finishes in 108 races with LMC over the past three seasons.
