Jimmie Johnson recently said his that primary sponsor Carvana will support “whatever path” for him in 2023. Where will he end up?
After wrapping up his second year in IndyCar, Jimmie Johnson remains without a contract to compete in 2023. The 47-year-old recently told Associated Press reporter Jenna Fryer that he continues to have financial backing from sponsor Carvana for next year, adding that they will be behind him in whatever he chooses to do.
In addition to IndyCar, Johnson has competed in IMSA on a part-time schedule this year and has even come forward about his desire to return to NASCAR next season, specifically in the Coca-Cola 600 as a part of a Memorial Day Double attempt with the Indy 500. Needless to say, the seven-time Cup Series champion has options.
With several possibilities and financial backing to make them happen, here are three possible landing spots for Johnson in 2023.
Jimmie Johnson landing spots: No. 1 – IndyCar
Maybe the most obvious choice for Johnson is to compete in the series he has competed in over the last two years and improve upon his first full-time season this year. During his first full-time season in the open-wheel series, he saw his best finishes come at the tracks he once balked at: ovals.
His best finishes came at Texas Motor Speedway and Iowa Speedway, where he finished in sixth and fifth place, respectively. But his road and street course progress from 2021 might not have been to his liking, as he actually finished worse in some races in 2022.
Chip Ganassi Racing owner Chip Ganassi may be hesitant to re-sign Johnson, who just finished his two-year deal, given the struggles he has had. But with sponsorship from Carvana, it may be hard to walk away from that opportunity. In fact, before the Alex Palou drama unfolded, Ganassi had said that he planned to keep his team at the “status quo” for next year.
For Ganassi, it would make sense to re-sign Johnson if he’s bringing sponsorship from Carvana, and for the El Cajon, California native, he would get to continue to compete in the series he’s dreamed of since he was a kid.
Jimmie Johnson landing spots: No. 2 – Both IndyCar and NASCAR
Jimmie Johnson’s next contract in IndyCar doesn’t necessarily have to be a full-time deal. If the veteran decides to return to the open-wheel series, he could elect to run a part-time schedule, similar to what he did in 2021, thus leaving some dates open on a potential return to NASCAR.
Given his wish to run the Memorial Day Double, it’s no secret that he wants to return to the Cup Series, but outside of Charlotte Motor Speedway, Johnson has also shown his intrigue in running the inaugural NASCAR street course race in Chicago as well.
If Johnson does indeed return to NASCAR next season, the team he would most likely compete for is Trackhouse Racing Team through their new PROJECT91. The team debuted the #91 Chevrolet this year at Watkins Glen International, with 2007 Formula 1 champion Kimi Raikkonen behind the wheel.
Trackhouse Racing Team co-owner Justin Marks has said he would “absolutely” allow Johnson to drive the #91 Chevrolet, and with financial backing from Carvana, there isn’t much stopping either side other than the fact that the conversation itself still might not have happened.
Johnson hasn’t yet competed in the Gen 7 car the Cup Series debuted this year, and outside of the buzz his return would bring in and of itself, his return would give him the opportunity to add another vehicle to his racing resume.
With him constantly linked to a NASCAR return and a full commitment from his sponsor, it seems like a matter of when and not if. But for that to happen, Johnson may need to revert back from a full-time IndyCar schedule and work out a deal with Ganassi and Marks to compete where he wants to compete.
Jimmie Johnson landing spots: No. 3 – A mix of everything
In the past two years, Jimmie Johnson has competed in IMSA, IndyCar, NASCAR, and even the International Race of Champions in Sweden. So why not do it all in 2023?
With financial backing to use on whichever path he chooses for next year, Johnson should take full advantage. Select races in IndyCar, NASCAR, and IMSA would give the veteran the most diverse schedule he has seen yet and would allow fans from almost every facet of motorsports to see the 2022 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year.
Johnson has earned the right to call his shots for 2023 and should do just that. He has also stated that he wants to run the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and with his former team, Hendrick Motorsports, planning to field a custom Chevrolet Camaro via the Garage 56 entry, the endurance race at Circuit de la Sarthe is a likely race for him next year as well.
While Johnson hasn’t hinted at a full-time retirement from racing in general, the ability to pick and choose his schedule could also give him a chance for a true farewell tour. With 2020, for now, having been his last season in NASCAR, many fans missed out on seeing him one last time due to the COVID-19-related restrictions.
The sport welcomed full capacity crowds before the pandemic and had limited capacity crowds at some races once it returned, but the moment of a sell-out crowd hearing Johnson during driver intros one last time was robbed from fans.
Throughout racing history, farewell tours are never really farewell tours, as many drivers eventually scratch the itch to come back at least one more time. Johnson deserves the recognition of a proper farewell, and 2023 could provide that.