Jimmie Johnson will join the Indianapolis 500 next year and run the full IndyCar schedule.
The seven-time NASCAR champion has sped toward the Indy 500 decision he finally announced Wednesday since he moved to IndyCar earlier this year. Johnson ran only road and street during his first open-wheel racing season because of safety concerns he had about the oval.
But as he settled into his new job with Chip Ganassi Racing, Johnson felt more comfortable with the car, mass safety improvements and, ultimately, oval racing. He tested at both the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Texas Motor Speedway, but remained stubborn as he pledged to win “The Greatest Spectacle in Race.”
No more.
Johnson will enter all 17 races on next year’s IndyCar schedule in 48th place with sponsorship again from Carvana.
“I’m really excited about the next chapter in my career and competing for 48th place with Carvana for the 2022 season,” Johnson said. “So far, the safety of these bikes has been raised, and after I tested the ovals at the Texas Motorway and Indianapolis, I realized this was a challenge I wanted. perform.”
I’m going #All the time next year! I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of @Carvana machine for full @INDYCAR season, including # Indy500. #NoFinishLines pic.twitter.com/pCOUno42To
– Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) December 15, 2021
Johnson, turning 46 in September, leaves NASCAR at the end of the 2020 season to become an IndyCar rookie. He ran 12 races and finished 17th of his career at the season finale in Long Beach.
He will be teammates again in 2022 with the defending champion IndyCar Alex Palou, six-time champion Scott Dixon and former Formula One racer Marcus Ericsson. Tony Kanaan 2021 runs four ovals at number 48 when Johnson is not in the car. Kanaan is expected to run at least the Indy 500 again, though there was no announcement on Wednesday about his schedule.
“We’re happy to have Jimmie running the full 2022 season,” said owner Chip Ganassi. “With all the experience he’s had in the oval from his NASCAR career and adding it to his 2021 experience in an Indy car, we think the IndyCar oval will do just that. his strength.”
Carvana has ramped up sponsorship of Johnson so he can run the whole season. It will be the main partner for 16 of the 17 races on the schedule. American Legion will be the main sponsor on 48th Street at Iowa Speedway in July.
“I am grateful to Chip, Carvana and everyone who made this happen,” Johnson said. “Last season was incredible for me and I’ve improved so much, so I know I can compete on the tracks that I have experience in. I can’t wait to be a part of the Indianapolis 500 , a childhood dream has come true.”
