Rookie IndyCar driver Jimmie Johnson has landed a deal to be a part of the 2021 Indy 500, though that deal doesn’t involve him competing.
Jimmie Johnson has competed in two IndyCar races since making the switch from NASCAR Cup Series racing to open-wheel racing after 19 seasons, 83 victories and a record-tying seven championships in his stock car career.
It was Tony Kanaan who competed in the doubleheader at Texas Motor Speedway this past weekend, as Johnson’s deal with Chip Ganassi Racing is only for the 13 road and street course races on the schedule while Kanaan’s is for the four oval events.
Despite not having any true previous commitment at the Indy 500, Johnson has now landed a deal to be a part of the event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway when it rolls around later this month.
But he won’t be competing behind the wheel of the #48 Honda; that is still Kanaan’s job for the oval races.
The 45-year-old El Cajon, California native, who is scheduled to make his third career IndyCar start in the GMR Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on Saturday, May 15, is set to work with NBC Sports on the race’s live broadcast, joining Mike Tirico and Danica Patrick for the network’s studio coverage of the event.
This year’s running of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” will mark the third consecutive Indy 500 for Tirico and Patrick in the booth, but it will mark Johnson’s first, further adding to his “rookie” IndyCar status in 2021.
I was pumped to just attend the #Indy500 this year and now I’m working it! Thanks for the opportunity @NBCSports. pic.twitter.com/ZbvJepZTb7
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) May 4, 2021
Johnson is set to serve as an analyst during qualifying and during the race at the Peacock Pit Box alongside Steve Letarte, who is also slated to make his Indy 500 on-air debut.
More from IndyCar
- IndyCar: Two teams with no drivers confirmed for 2024
- IndyCar: Chip Ganassi Racing news hints Alex Palou announcement
- IndyCar: ‘Addition by subtraction’ could pay off in a big way
- Team Penske should make a bold driver signing for 2024
- IndyCar: 5 teams that still have open seats for 2024
Dale Earnhardt Jr., who made his Indy 500 on-air debut in 2019 but was not present last year, is set to return and be a part of the pre-race coverage, which is hosted by Jac Collinsworth and slated to feature reports from around the track by Rutledge Wood.
Leigh Diffey, Townsend Bell and Paul Tracy are set to continue their roles as the traditional commentators in calling the race while Marty Snider, Kelli Stavast and Kevin Lee are slated to serve as the pit reporters.
Johnson has admitted that he may still be open to competing in the Indy 500 in the future, although it may not necessarily happen in 2022 since both he and Kanaan signed multi-year deals with Chip Ganassi Racing to fulfill their respective roles.
Indy 500 practice is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, May 18, with full sessions every day leading up to qualifying on Saturday, May 22 and Sunday, May 23. Two more practice sessions are scheduled for Monday, May 24 and Friday, May 28 before the race itself on Sunday, May 30. NBC is set to broadcast the race live from Indianapolis Motor Speedway beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET.