NASCAR: When is Jimmie Johnson’s next race?
By Asher Fair
Jimmie Johnson made his NASCAR Cup Series return in the season-opening Daytona 500. When will he make his second start with Legacy Motor Club?
After spending the last two seasons competing for Chip Ganassi Racing in IndyCar, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson returned to the Cup Series as a part-time driver and part owner of Petty GMS Motorsports, which have since been renamed Legacy Motor Club.
Johnson made his first start since the 2020 season finale in the 2023 season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, driving the No. 84 Chevrolet for the first time in his career.
All 686 of his previous Cup Series starts (2001 to 2020) had come with Hendrick Motorsports behind the wheel of the No. 48 Chevrolet.
A late wreck knocked the Jimmie Johnson out of contention, and he was scored in 31st place in his first NASCAR Cup Series race back.
When will he be back behind the wheel of the No. 84 Chevrolet?
Not much is known about Johnson’s schedule for the 2023 season. He has stated that he has a list of 12 to 14 events that he would like to run, but his goal is to narrow that list down to between five and 10 races.
One of the races that he has said is high on his list is the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 21.
But with All-Star Race weekend being the same weekend as Indy 500 qualifying, there is no guarantee he will compete, as he reportedly still has the option to run the Indy 500 with Chip Ganassi Racing if he chooses to do so.
An Indy 500 attempt on Sunday, May 28 could give him a chance to attempt the Memorial Day Double, as he could also compete in NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway later that day.
In terms of confirmed races, however, Johnson has just one more on his schedule for the 2023 Cup Series season. That race is the inaugural race at the Chicago Street Course, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 2.
But it is highly unlikely that Johnson won’t compete in at least one more Cup Series race before then. The Chicago race is, after all, the 18th of 36 races on the schedule (20th of 38 if you include the Busch Light Clash and the All-Star Race).
Next. All-time NASCAR Cup Series wins list. dark
It’s not like it’s right around the corner, and there are several other tracks on the schedule where it would make sense for the 47-year-old El Cajon, California native to compete before then, even if he doesn’t opt to compete in the All-Star Race or the Coca-Cola 600.