After retiring from NASCAR in 2020, Jimmie Johnson embarked on a new challenge by competing full-time in IndyCar with Chip Ganassi Racing during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. His standout performance occurred at Iowa Speedway in 2022, where he climbed from 12th to finish fifth and led two laps at the Indianapolis 500. He also secured a sixth-place finish at Texas, marking his second-best result in the series. Despite these promising outings, Johnson announced in September 2022 that he would not continue full-time in IndyCar for the following year.
The Unexpected Physical Challenges of IndyCar Racing
Johnson’s decision to step away from IndyCar was influenced by multiple factors, including his 2022 investment in Legacy Motor Club as a co-owner. However, he recently disclosed another crucial element that played a role: the intense physical demands of driving IndyCars. In a conversation on The Racer with Paul Tracy, a former Canadian driver with experience in Champ Car and CART, Johnson openly described how physically grueling the series was.
“I couldn’t believe the physicality of the IndyCar. And you talk about no power steering and the implications of that, but man, the high heart rate stuff that I had to do to get ready, like the first offseason getting ready, and I used gym leo pit fit, I’m like, do I really need to do this much?”
— Jimmie Johnson, IndyCar driver and team owner
Johnson elaborated on the intensity of his initial tests, especially at Barber Motorsports Park, where he realized how demanding the races would be. He highlighted the challenges of managing the car without power steering and the strength required to operate brake pedals that lack assistance.
“I went to I think my first test at Barber is when I realized the physical requirements and the intensity, the high heart rate intensity that went with it. Just such a physical challenge in those cars. Even hitting the brake pedal like we don’t have any brake pedal assist in IndyCars. So yeah, that 1400-1600 PSI, I mean, you’re generating that through your leg.”
— Jimmie Johnson, IndyCar driver and team owner
Shifting Focus Toward Team Ownership and NASCAR Cameos
Since leaving full-time IndyCar racing, Johnson has limited his on-track activity primarily to a few NASCAR Cup Series appearances. His main concentration has shifted toward growing Legacy Motor Club, a newly formed team that recently partnered with Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing. In 2023, Johnson reduced his NASCAR starts from nine in the previous year to just two, dedicating himself to building the foundation of this new team.
This transition not only advances Johnson’s long-term role as a team owner but also allows him to maintain occasional participation as a driver. Such appearances keep his competitive spirit alive and provide fans opportunities to see him race while supporting the development of Legacy Motor Club in a highly competitive environment.
