Jimmie Johnson is retiring from full-time racing again — this time from the NTT IndyCar Series, The Associated Press reports.
Johnson cited the desire to focus on spending time with his family as the main factor in the decision.
Since retiring from full-time NASCAR competition following the 2020 season, Johnson has competed in 29 NTT IndyCar Series races, competing in his first full-time season in 2022. He scored a best finish of fifth at Iowa Speedway in July 2022.
“It’s been an interesting process to feel so fulfilled with the experience and then also try to make a decision,” Johnson told the AP. “In the big scheme of things, there is so much life-planning going on with the kids. We’ve always had an idea of trying to live abroad for a year or two. We love Colorado and want to spend more time there, and there’s just so much swirling personally and professionally that I just wanted to take some time and make the decision not on the back of a positive or negative experience on the racetrack.”
Johnson said that he will compete in no more than 10 events in the future, but does plan on racing on a part-time basis.
I couldn’t have asked for a better experience in the @Indycar series. Looking ahead, I will not return to INDYCAR full time in 2023 but will continue to look for new ways to challenge myself and participate in bucket list events. Hear more: https://t.co/H3e7X6PTLG pic.twitter.com/0kujpWdCaw
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) September 26, 2022
The 47-year-old has expressed interest in running the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans as a part of NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports’s Garage 56 entry. Johnson also has hinted at pursuing the Double on Memorial Day by competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600.
“You know me and endurance sports, and the double sounds awesome,” Johnson said. “I’ve always had this respect for the guys who have done the double. I would say it is more of a respect thing than a bucket-list item, and I’d love to put some energy into that idea and see if I can pull it off.”
In addition to his seven NASCAR Cup Series titles, Johnson recorded 83 wins, 232 top fives, and 374 top 10s at the Cup level. He finished 21st in points in his lone full-time season in IndyCar, recording two top 10s in his career.
Entering his fifth year with Frontstretch, Luken Glover is the author of The Underdog House, shedding light on the motivation and performance of NASCAR's dark horse teams as they strive to fight to the top. Additionally, Glover reports for the site at various events, and he contributes in the video editing department.
A 2023 graduate of the University of the Cumberlands, Glover is a middle school math and PE teacher, as well as a basketball coach. He is passionate about serving in his church, playing/coaching a wide variety of sports, and researching motorsports history.