NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson eyeing open-wheel future?

Jimmie Johnson has no plans to retire from NASCAR anytime soon, but don’t rule out a future in open-wheel cars for the seven-time Cup Series champion.

Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson recently appeared on the Dale Jr. Download podcast and discussed his future with former NASCAR driver and former Hendrick Motorsports teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr.

In June of 2017, Johnson signed a three-year contract extension to continue driving the #48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports through the 2020 season, and he clearly plans to remain in the Cup Series until at least that time.

In fact, the 43-year-old El Cajon, California native has not hinted of retiring even after the 2020 season despite the fact that there have been rumors that he might do so ever since he experienced his first winless season in his 17-year full-time career last year.

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His 2019 season as been even worse than his 2018 season, as he failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in his career this year.

But without getting into any retirement specifics, Johnson did discuss his potential future as it pertains to his post-NASCAR career on the 273rd episode of the Dale Jr. Download.

That may involve road course races, particularly in open-wheel racing.

Johnson, who previously stated that he may like to compete in IndyCar road course races, did a Formula 1 ride swap with two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso at Bahrain International Circuit in November of 2018.

Ever since then, there have been rumors that Alonso, who has made one appearance in two tries at the Indianapolis 500 in an attempt to become the second driver ever to win all three races of the Triple Crown of Motorsport, may come to NASCAR to compete in the Daytona 500.

Likewise, ever since this ride swap, Johnson has pondered the idea of competing in a road racing series after he retires from NASCAR.

And these talks may very well be more than just rumors.

Here is what Johnson had to say about the matter, according to Motorsport.

"“Prior to driving that Formula 1 car, I felt like some more off-road racing, going back to my roots would be fun…Those vehicles have evolved so much, I’d like to get back in one. They used to be automatic transmission but now they’re manual transmissions, much more power to the tires, lighter vehicles. Really cool trucks.“But since I drove that Formula 1 car…That experience is unlike any experience I could describe. That was so much fun. So, I don’t know – we’ll see when I pull the plug [on NASCAR], but I’d love to go do some kind of road racing series – [maybe] in an IndyCar, and certainly look at any type of sportscar racing. That was a really neat experience that I’d like to do more of.”"

Johnson admitted that he doesn’t exactly see himself as a road course driver, but his past experiences in cars other than stock cars have really made him consider this possibility.

"“I don’t feel like it’s my strong suit but…when I’ve been in cars with more downforce and more braking ability, I’ve been much more competitive, like, when I’ve been in sports cars. I just think my driving style isn’t ideal for a big heavy Cup car. And hopping in that Formula 1 car and having that chance to match Fernando’s lap time as I did in Bahrain, was an eye-opening experience for me. Like maybe on a road course, those [types of car] fit my style a little bit more.”"

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Will Jimmie Johnson compete in an open-wheel series such as IndyCar after he retires from NASCAR Cup Series competition? Will the 2020 season be his final season in NASCAR, or will he sign a contract extension to continue driving beyond next year?

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NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson eyeing open-wheel future?

By Asher Fair | Sep 13, 2019

Jimmie Johnson has no plans to retire from NASCAR anytime soon, but don’t rule out a future in open-wheel cars for the seven-time Cup Series champion.