Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson shared with the Associated Press on Monday that he is retiring from full-time racing after spending the last two seasons in IndyCar. Johnson's stock-car career came to a close in 2020, and he completed his first - and last - full-time season in IndyCar on Sept. 11 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, after running a part-time schedule in 2021.
The 47-year-old Johnson left the door open for future one-offs, telling the AP he’d like to compete in no more than 10 bucket-list events in the future. Johnson did not elaborate on what those races might look like, but one potential race could be a debut in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. NASCAR, in partnership with Hendrick Motorsports, is fielding a Garage 56 entry in the 2023 edition of the famed French event and has yet to announce its driver lineup. Johnson spent the entirety of his Cup career driving Hendrick’s No. 48 Chevrolet, making his series debut in 2001.
Johnson has not announced any plans at this time, but is still scheduled to compete in the 25th running of IMSA’s Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta this Saturday.
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