CONCORD, N.C. – Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time champion driver for Hendrick Motorsports, is returning to the NASCAR Cup Series in an ownership and driving capacity with Petty GMS.
Johnson will compete in a select number of events on the 2023 schedule, including the DAYTONA 500. He will also be part of the ownership team for the organization that fields Chevrolets.
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"This is a tremendous day for our sport," Hendrick Motorsports team owner Rick Hendrick said in a statement. "Jimmie (Johnson) is one of the all-time great champions on the racetrack, and I know he’ll apply the same mentality to his role as a team owner. When he sets his mind to something, the level of commitment and work ethic he brings is unsurpassed.
"Seeing Jimmie in a firesuit with his name on the roof of a Chevrolet at the DAYTONA 500 is going to be very special for a lot of people. Competing against him will certainly be a change, and a big challenge, but we welcome his return to NASCAR and look forward to the next chapter of a truly remarkable career."
From 2001 to 2020, Johnson made 686 starts for Hendrick Motorsports. His seven Cup Series championships are tied with Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty for the most in the sport’s history. His 83 wins are tied with Cale Yarborough for sixth on the all-time list.
While at Hendrick Motorsports, Johnson became the only Cup Series driver to score five consecutive champions – accomplishing the feat from 2006 to 2010.
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