NASCAR decision could influence Jimmie Johnson decision

NASCAR potentially making an exception for Jimmie Johnson to run the All-Star Race could play a role in his decision to compete in the Indy 500.

Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson is back in the Cup Series in 2023 after spending the last two seasons in IndyCar for Chip Ganassi Racing.

The longtime driver of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet is now competing for Legacy Motor Club, the team formerly known as Petty GMS Motorsports, behind the wheel of the No. 84 Chevrolet in select races throughout the year.

One of the races that Johnson has said is quite high on his wish list is the All-Star Race, which is set to be contested at North Wilkesboro Speedway for the first time ever on Sunday, May 21.

Several drivers are locked into the NASCAR All-Star Race already, including Cup Series champions, and therefore don’t need to qualify via the All-Star Open.

However, this former champions rule only applies to drivers who are competing full-time, and Johnson is only a part-time driver, meaning that he theoretically must qualify via the All-Star Open.

Would NASCAR make an exception and allow Jimmie Johnson into the All-Star Race without qualifying via the All-Star Open?

This decision could impact Johnson’s decision to not only compete in this race but to compete in the Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where there will definitely be no exceptions made.

While Johnson confirmed that he won’t be back in IndyCar full-time this year, he hasn’t ruled out another Indy 500 run, though it is looking increasingly unlikely as time goes on.

Chip Ganassi is reportedly waiting on him to make a decision, a decision which could determine whether or not he becomes the fifth driver to attempt the Memorial Day Double by competing in both the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on the same day.

Indy 500 qualifying weekend is the same weekend as All-Star weekend, one weekend prior to the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 28.

Day one of Indy 500 qualifying is scheduled to last from 11:00 a.m. ET to 5:50 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 20. Day two, featuring only the top 12 qualifiers from day one, is scheduled to last from 4:00 p.m. ET. to 6:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 21, assuming nothing has changed from last year.

Johnson made it to day two last year as a rookie, and quite comfortably, placing sixth on day one.

All-Star Race qualifying, for both the main event and the All-Star Open, is scheduled to take place at some point on Saturday, May 20.

Considering the fact that most drivers would have completed an Indy 500 qualifying attempt within the first two or three hours of the day one session, even with a late draw, Johnson could technically be at North Wilkesboro Speedway in time for All-Star qualifying after his Indy 500 qualifying attempt, provided he is solidly in the Indy 500 field.

If he makes it into the top 12 the next day, however, things could get interesting. Unless he plans on settling for 12th place with no day two speed, advancing to the second day of Indy 500 qualifying would keep him from running the All-Star Open, meaning that unless NASCAR has made an exception, he wouldn’t get to compete in the All-Star Race.

Of course, Johnson will have known whether or not an exception was made the day before, depending on whether he makes a qualifying attempt for the All-Star Open or for the All-Star Race. At that point, he will also know if he advanced to day two of Indy 500 qualifying. So there’s a chance that there is no conflict at all.

Here’s a rundown of the possibilities.

If NASCAR makes an exception…

Johnson could make an All-Star Race qualifying attempt after day one of Indy 500 qualifying. If he advances to day two of Indy 500 qualifying, he could make a day two qualifying attempt without worrying about running the All-Star Open. He could then fly to North Wilkesboro Speedway for the All-Star Race.

Of course, if an exception is made, it could still be tough for him to arrive on time for the All-Star Race if he advances to the second portion of day two Indy 500 qualifying, featuring only the top six. But that likely wouldn’t keep him from doing it.

If NASCAR doesn’t make an exception…

Johnson could still make an All-Star Open qualifying attempt after day one of Indy 500 qualifying. However, if he advances to day two of Indy 500 qualifying, he would have to forgo that attempt, thus settling for a 12th place starting spot, and fly to North Wilkesboro Speedway for the All-Star Open, where he would then attempt to get into the main event.

If he doesn’t advance to two of Indy 500 qualifying, there shouldn’t be an issue either way. What will he decide?

As of now, the Indy 500 doesn’t appear to be a race he will run in 2023, making it all the more likely that he will partake in All-Star weekend. But until he officially closes the door on the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, don’t rule it out. He has already confirmed that he plans to run the Coca-Cola 600, so this could be an ideal opportunity for him to attempt the Memorial Day Double.