NASCAR
Where Should Jimmie Johnson Run in his NASCAR Return?
At the ripe age of 47 years old, seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson embarks on a new venture for 2023. The California native is now a co-owner of Petty-GMS Racing, and will also make select Cup starts. What races should the 83-time race winner cherry pick in his trophy hunting schedule? While his car number is still TBD, we do know that he will attempt the Daytona 500. Aside from The Great American Race, here are a few other 2023 dates that could see seven-time back behind the wheel.
Auto Club Speedway
April 28, 2002 marked the first of many victories in Jimmie Johnson’s Hall of Famer career. In only his 12th ever Cup start, Johnson went to victory lane at his home track, California’s Auto Club Speedway. Over two decades later, the 2023 race at Auto Club marks the final showing of the two-mile oval. Johnson’s career at Auto Club saw six wins, with five coming in a championship season. How else can this track go out on top besides seeing its all-time winningest star compete here one final time?
North Wilkesboro Speedway All-Star Race
Perhaps the most anticipated event of the 2023 NASCAR season, the North Wilkesboro Speedway All-Star Race is a perfect chance for Johnson to run. Never making any start on the famed 0.625-mile oval, Johnson could compete on the same pavement that’s seen Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jeff Gordon. Not being a points-paying race, Johnson would also not impact any ongoing championship fight. Johnson also has more All-Star Race wins than anyone in history; his four victories in this exhibition event all came at Charlotte. Do not be surprised to see the legend be competing for another $1 million check in May.
Martinsville Speedway
Between 2004 and 2016, Jimmie Johnson won at Martinsville Speedway nine times, taking home a load of Grandfather clocks. Wanting to help make Petty-GMS a regular winning organization, why shouldn’t Johnson take one of their cars around one of his all-time best venues? Much like with Auto Club, Johnson often earned a Martinsville triumph in perfect timing, leading to six of his seven titles. Johnson’s most recent Martinsville win came in 2016, locking him into the Championship 4 that ultimately gave him his seventh ring.
Dover Motor Speedway
No track across NASCAR was historically better for Jimmie Johnson than Dover. 11 Monster Mile wins is the most in history; including a rookie year sweep and his most recent victory from 2017. In 38 career Dover starts, Johnson saw 27 top-10s, 3,113 laps led, and an average finish of 9.7. Johnson won in all generations of car he competed in at Dover. It would be a treat to see how the concrete king adapts to this track in a Next Gen car.
Darlington Raceway
Flashing back to Jimmie Johnson’s retirement tour in 2020, arguably his best run came in the first Darlington race. At the Real Heroes 400, Johnson was leading on the last lap of Stage 1, until an overcorrection saw the No. 48 nose into the inside wall. Also a three-time Darlington winner, it would be fitting for JJ to run the throwback race on Mother’s Day weekend. Back in 2012, Johnson’s Darlington triumph marked the 200th victory for Hendrick Motorsports. Petty-GMS also won the most recent Darlington race, September’s Southern 500, so a return to the South Carolina track could end with Johnson winning again.
Coca-Cola 600
For a few years during his prime, Charlotte Motor Speedway was Jimmie Johnson’s personal playground, especially the Coca-Cola 600. An eight-time winner on the Charlotte oval, Johnson has won NASCAR’s marathon night four times. This span includes three-straight Coke 600 victories from 2003-2005. Should Johnson run again in NASCAR’s longest race, it could be the second leg of a Memorial Day weekend double for seven-time. 2022 was Johnson’s debut showing in the Indianapolis 500; should he return to the IndyCar seat it would be awe-inspiring to see the ultra-fit driver try and conquer 1,100 miles of racing in one day. Johnson would become only the fifth driver to complete the Indy/Charlotte doubleheader.
Chicago Street Course
For the first-ever NASCAR street race in July, Jimmie Johnson could have an upper hand. Johnson has spent his post-NASCAR life competing in IndyCar. 2021 saw Johnson run only road and street courses, while 2022 had him tackle the full 17-race season. No other competitors in the inaugural Chicago Street Race would have any more recent street course experience than Johnson. However, Johnson’s road course acumen was not the best in NASCAR; only one of his 83 wins came on a track with left and right turns. Despite that, he was within eyesight of the inaugural Charlotte Roval win, and fourth on the Daytona Road Course in 2020. With all of this in mind, Johnson could be a shoe-in for a strong result in the Windy City.
Truck Series Race
Due to Kyle Busch Motorsports following their owner to Chevrolet, a unique opportunity is out there for Johnson. The iconic No. 51 will be an all-star truck for KBM, with a rotating cast of drivers behind the wheel. Busch teased at Phoenix that he’d love to see Jimmie Johnson run for his team in 2023. Despite all of his NASCAR Cup success and his Xfinity history, Johnson only has one career Truck start. That came in 2008 at Bristol, in a No. 81 Chevrolet fielded by Randy Moss. Unfortunately, a crash ended Johnson’s race prematurely that day, resulting in a 34th-place finish. Should Johnson take Busch up on his offer to drive the No. 51, he could become the 42nd driver to earn a win in Cup, Xfinity, and Trucks.
One of the few pieces left in silly season, Jimmie Johnson’s bucket list schedule is eagerly anticipated by many. It will be very intriguing to see how well Johnson fits in with the Next Gen car’s radically-different driving style, as well as his new role with team ownership. Veteran Erik Jones gains rookie teammate Noah Gragson and the seven-time champion as a new boss. Petty-GMS Racing’s stock has certainly risen with Johnson’s involvement. It’s now time to see if this can turn into greater on-track success.
Written by Peter Stratta
Be sure to follow us on Twitter
Be sure to follow the writer on Twitter
Photo Credit to Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR
