“That was not my childhood dream”: Jimmie Johnson reflects on what made him turn to the ownership business 

Retired seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson took a look back at how he became a Cup Series owner in a recent interview. The 49-year-old joined forces with fellow seven-time champion Richard Petty to co-own Legacy Motor Club ahead of the 2023 season.

In an interview with former NASCAR crew chief and TV analyst Jeff Hammond via RACER, the 83-time Cup Series winner was asked what led him to venture into the ownership aspect of NASCAR. Johnson would be the first to tell you that owning a race team wasn't on his mind during his illustrious racing career. He said:

"I think timing has so much to do with life and all the pluses and minuses that come with it. Think about my driving days and it's hard to argue that I didn't have every positive opportunity come my way. Living it, there were some negatives and some more challenging moments, but while I was driving, I didn't desire to be a team owner. That was not my childhood dream." (20:04 onwards)

Jimmie Johnson went on to say it was evident when talking to someone like Tony Stewart, a former champion driver and owner, that he wanted to delve into the ownership side. The former driver of the #48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet knew there was a different type of stress and issues that went into running a team, therefore, he didn't want a part of it.

Johnson also didn't see owning a NASCAR team as a "viable" business. However, since the implementation of the charter system, it has changed Jimmie Johnson's perspective.

"The changes that have been made in the last 11 years with the charter system at NASCAR have really changed my point of view. In the early days, I was still in a Cup car and driving and just wasn't sure where it was going to go. I would say in the last three years, maybe even five, if you look back far enough at some of the early signs, the interest in sports, the interest in a franchise, NASCAR is one of the few that's left," he added (20:50 onwards).

Jimmie Johnson reveals plans to keep racing part-time in 2025

Jimmie Johnson (84) during the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. - Source: Imagn

While he's now involved in NASCAR primarily as an owner, Jimmie Johnson still races part-time in the Cup Series behind the wheel of his self-owned #84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota. Amid his second season with the team, Johnson said he plans to make a few starts in 2025.

"I've thought about it. We're just trying to make sure that it's not costing the team anything, it's not hurting the 42 and 43 [cars]. We don't have it put together yet, but I'll be out there a few times at least." [1:05 onwards]

Legacy Motor Club fields two full-time Cup Series cars, with Erik Jones behind the wheel of the #43 car and John Hunter Nemechek piloting the #42 machine. Johnson, meanwhile, made nine starts in the #84 car in 2024.

Johnson retired from full-time Cup Series competition after the 2020 season. He spent 19 seasons with Hendrick Motorsports, winning 83 races and a record-tying seven championships.