“This was a difficult choice for me”: When Jimmie Johnson confessed his feelings following his big IndyCar decision

Jimmie Johnson conquered the world in NASCAR, winning 7 Cup Series championships to match Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty's record. However, he couldn't replicate the same success in IndyCar and retired after only one full-time season. Johnson retired from racing full-time in NASCAR in 2020.

The same year, he took part in an IndyCar test with Chip Ganassi Racing, which converted into a part-time 2021 seat for the team. Aged 44, Johnson competed on road and street circuits in his first year in open-wheel racing, facing the rude awakening of not excelling in a series where he envisioned his career as a child. Johnson finished sixth in the standings.

Though his sophomore year in 2022 was slightly better, he could only manage one Top 5 finish at best. After a turbulent year, Jimmie Johnson announced his retirement in September. He said (via IndyCar):

"I’ve made the decision that I will not compete full-time in 2023. This was a difficult choice for me, but in my heart I know it’s the right one. I’m not exactly sure what the next chapter holds, but if an opportunity comes along that makes sense, I will consider it. I still have a bucket list of racing events I would like to take part in."

"Competing at this level in INDYCAR has been a dream come true. I couldn’t have asked for a better team to race for than Chip Ganassi and Chip Ganassi Racing. Everyone worked extremely hard for the last two seasons, pushing to get the best performances out of me every single week. The support from my crew and teammates Dario (Franchitti), Scott (Dixon), Tony (Kanaan), Marcus (Ericsson), and Alex (Palou) went above and beyond anything I could have ever asked for."

Though team owner Chip Ganassi was still open to fielding Johnson's No. 48 car in 2023, and his major sponsor Carvana was ready to sponsor him, the NASCAR legend took a week to discuss the options with his family before pulling the trigger on retirement. While he didn't get the results he'd hoped for, IndyCar treated him better on the personal side of things.

---

When Jimmie Johnson cherished IndyCar's "casual environment" that facilitated more family time

Jimmie Johnson with his daughters at the 106th Indianapolis 500 Qualifying - Source: Getty

Motorsport can be a grueling sector to be a part of for some months of the year. Neither the drivers nor the crew get to meet their family. However, for Jimmie Johnson, IndyCar's shorter calendar (17 races) compared to the NASCAR Cup Series' 36 races gave him more time to spend with his wife and two daughters.

Ahead of his IndyCar oval debut at the 2022 XPEL 375, where he eventually finished in an impressive sixth position, Johnson spoke about the amazing IndyCar environment. He said (via IndyCar):

"I do feel like the fewer races in the INDYCAR SERIES creates a little more casual environment. It is neat to go to all these new racetracks, especially the street circuits, stay in a hotel down the street, walk with my family on the crossover bridge to a practice or race. We are really enjoying it. Big thanks to the INDYCAR community in welcoming myself and my family. The paddock is full of a bunch of wonderful people, and we've really enjoyed our experience."

In 2023 and 2024, Jimmie Johnson returned to racing part-time in NASCAR in the No. 84 entry for Legacy Motor Club, a team he partly owns.