Jimmy Johnson is already retiring now

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Jimmy Johnson admitted in an interview with The Associated Press that he will be giving up racing next year.

Johnson made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2002 with Hendrik Motorsports.

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The driver of the Legendary 48 won five consecutive championships starting in 2006, then added two more championships in 2013 and 2016.

This remarkable relationship continued until the end of 2020, when Johnson decided to leave the grueling 36-race season of the NASCAR Cup Series and pursue his long-standing dream of driving an IndyCar.

In 2021 he only started on the built/street tracks for Ganassi Racing, then in 2022 he ran an entire season. His best finish during that time was fifth at the Iowa Oval.

Johnson waited two weeks after the IndyCar finale – during which he spent the weekend in England At the Goodwood Festival of Speed Before finalizing the decision to retire.

“It was an interesting process that felt like my career was complete, and then I tried to make the decision“- Tell Johnson. “There are many things in the house, with the children and my family.“

“We always had the idea of ​​trying to live abroad for a year or two. We love Colorado and want to spend more time there, and I had so much on my mind, both personally and professionally, that I wanted to take the time to not make a decision based on positive or negative experiences on the racetrack.“

“I want to go back but I know what it takes to do a full program and I don’t haveJohnson told the Associated Press.

“I don’t have the passion to commit an entire season.“

One of Johnson’s options to race in 2023 will be a joint car between NASCAR, IMSA and Hendrick Motorsports for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

He wants to become a legend: Indy 500 and Coke 600 are coming

Since retiring from NASCAR in 2020, Johnson has said he’ll race the series again if the opportunity presents itself, and now he’ll try to do the double — starting with the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.

Kurt Busch was the last driver to attempt the legendary 1,100-mile two-nation race in 2014. It didn’t work out for Busch after he finished sixth in the Indy 500, before retiring early in NASCAR due to an engine failure.

Johnson’s close friend Tony Stewart, who has tried both races twice, is the only rider to have done 1,100 miles.

The seven-time Cup Series champion also wants to give it a chance: He won the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway four times, including three in a row between 2003 and 2005.

“You know how much I love long-distance sports that require good enduranceJohnson told the Associated Press. “I have always respected the men who did the double.“

“I’d say it’s more of an honor than a bucket list item, and I’d like to put some energy into this idea, so we’ll see if I can pull it off.“

Another NASCAR event that caught your eye? Next year’s race in the streets of downtown Chicago and the All-Star race in North Wilkesboro. Johnson noted that as a former winner, he will be there in both the All-Star Game and the season-opening feud at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

But at the moment, the most important thing is family.

“Chaney (Johnson’s wife, editor) always supported me to the fullest, but at the same time she had her own goals and desires and followed her own path and career. I guess my job now is to be there for himJohnson told the Associated Press.

“I would say that I do not regret. I look back and definitely learned from what happened, both good and bad.“

“I didn’t leave anything unfinished or anything I regretted.“

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