Jimmie Johnson has many dates on his NASCAR Cup Series schedule in 2024, but he’s omitting two anticipated races.
The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion took some time to speak with FOX’s Bob Pockrass over the last week, and Pockrass wondered why Johnson wouldn’t be competing in the Chicago Street Race, but the Legacy Motor Club co-owner has a solid reason as to why he isn’t.
“Chicago was certainly on the list, but trying to manage personal business and racing. I hope to be traveling with my family in July, and wanted to leave that window of time open,” Johnson stated.
Can’t blame Johnson for wanting to be with his family, especially over a popular vacation time of the year. He’s not a full-time driver anymore, so these are the perks he’s afforded. Plus, he’s the owner of the team. He can race whenever he wants.
As for the other date many have wanted to see Johnson compete at, the All-Star race at North Wilkesboro presents the seven-time champion with a track he’s never raced. Unfortunately, the possibility just hasn’t come together for Johnson, and it’s not happening in 2024.
“I’ve considered it. Unfortunately, it hasn’t come through our orbit, in a sense relative to partners. But that’s one of the few tracks on the schedule I have not driven on,” Johnson added.
While Jimmie Johnson will be missed in Chicago and at North Wilkesboro, there are plenty of other dates where fans can enjoy seeing the legend. Perhaps he’ll get back into Victory Lane when he gets behind the wheel in 2024.
Jimmie Johnson explains why he has nine races on Cup Series schedule
Newly minted NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson is scheduled to run nine races during the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series.
Why nine, exactly? The seven-time Cup Series addressed his schedule this week while speaking with Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports.
“I, in my mind, have had kinda this 10-race window that I am open to, and I think that’s well within my business ventures, my family ventures and the fulfillment I still chase of driving race cars,” Johnson said. “I was very excited to expand to the nine races. There still is room for another or some other stuff that I want to do. I’d like to do some classic car racing, some sportscar racing if the opportunity came about, but it just really came together in a nice way, and I’m really excited about my schedule.”
Johnson, 48, retired from full-time competition after the 2020 season. Since then, he’s competed in multiple races in the IndyCar Series, as well as in the IMSA Sportscar Championship. He took part in three Cup Series races this past season behind the wheel of the No. 84 Chevrolet for Legacy Motor Club, of which he is co-owner of. He finished 31st in the Daytona 500, before recording finishes of 38th and 37th at COTA and in the Coca-Cola 600 respectively.
On3’s Nick Geddes contributed to this article.