After competing in the NTT IndyCar Series for two seasons, Jimmie Johnson returned to his comfort zone, contesting a part-time NASCAR Cup Series schedule for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, a team of which he is now the co-owner.
While his part-time return to NASCAR hasn’t gone as hoped – failing to finish each of the three events that he’s competed in this season – it appears as though the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion isn’t giving up.
With the announcement that LEGACY MOTOR CLUB would be switching from Chevrolet to Toyota in the off-season, Johnson’s career at NASCAR’s top level is expected to continue further while driving a Toyota Camry, per David Wilson, President of TRD.
“100 percent, yes. You will see [Johnson] in a Toyota,” said Wilson. “That will be very moving and emotional for me personally, professionally, for Toyota. Now I’ll let Jimmie fill in the blank, but I will just say that Jimmie Johnson will be racing a Toyota Camry before he is done as a race car driver.”
Since making his NASCAR National Series debut in 1998, Johnson has been exclusively competing in a Chevrolet-backed entry, mainly for Hendrick Motorsports, the organization in which he won seven championships driving the No. 48.
Johnson is scheduled to contest his fourth event of the year on July 2, piloting the No. 84 Carvana Chevrolet Camaro in the inaugural Grant Part 220 in the Chicago Street Race, the first-ever street course event in NASCAR.
Wilson gave no indication of the events in which Johnson is planning to contest in the NASCAR Cup Series for 2024, while he drives for the newly-Toyota-backed LEGACY MOTOR CLUB.
2 Responses
100 Percent and completely disgusted with this decision! A slap in the face to NASCAR heritage, to Richard Petty and to many many NASCAR fans! Jimmie has proven his lack of loyalty and his disregard for history and heritage! Shameful!