NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson announced his retirement from racing in September, two years after retiring from NASCAR competition, but an announcement on Friday brought both retirements to a sudden end.
Johnson announced he is joining Petty GMS as a part-owner and will participate in a select number of NASCAR Cup Series races in 2023. Johnson's first NASCAR race since 2020 will be the Daytona 500 in February.
Johnson initially retired from NASCAR competition in November of 2020, saying, "The sport has been good to me and has allowed me to do something I truly love."
He wasn't done with racing, however, and joined the IndyCar Series for the 2021 season. After racing full-time in the IndyCar Series in 2022, Johnson announced his retirement from professional racing in September.
MORE: How Jimmie Johnson fared in IndyCar series
Just six weeks later, the 47-year-old is preparing to jump back into the NASCAR world in a role that will blend the familiar and unfamiliar for Johnson.
Why is Jimmie Johnson returning to NASCAR?
In a press release, Johnson said he believes his role with Petty GMS is the right next step for him. "When the IndyCar season ended I started on this journey of what was next. Maury and I connected, this opportunity came to light and it’s the perfect fit for me," Johnson said, referring to co-owner Maury Gallagher.
While Johnson had been away from NASCAR for nearly two years, he hinted in July that a return was on the table when he refused to rule anything out.
💭"I wouldn't rule it out"
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) July 29, 2022
7x @NASCAR Cup Series Champion @JimmieJohnson weighs in on the possibility of running the @NASCARChicago Street Course next year. @TheMikeBagley | @PPistone | #TMDNASCAR pic.twitter.com/2x1Fzt3nM1
Johnson told the Associated Press on Friday that he took note of Michael Jordan's decision to join the NASCAR world, referencing Jordan's 23XI Racing group he co-founded with Denny Hamlin in 2020.
What is Petty GMS?
Petty GMS Motorsports is a racing team owned by NASCAR legend Richard Petty along with Maury Gallagher. Originally founded as Gallagher Motorsports, the organization absorbed Petty GMS Motorsports in 2021 and became Petty GMS Motorsports.
The team began competing in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2022, fielding drivers Ty Dillon and Erik Jones this season.
As part-owner, Johnson will be working alongside the only living person who has accomplished as much as him with NASCAR. Petty is one of three drivers to win the NASCAR Cup Series championship seven times, along with Dale Earnhardt and Johnson himself.
Jimmie Johnson career achievements
Johnson is among the most accomplished NASCAR drivers in history with seven Cup Series championships. Johnson won five consecutive championships from 2006-2010 and last claimed the title in 2016.
MORE: NASCAR gives Jimmie Johnson a retirement sendoff befitting his legacy before final race
In all, Johnson won 83 Cup Series races in his NASCAR career, with 374 top-10 finishes. His 83 wins tie him for sixth all-time on a list that Petty tops by a huge margin.
Despite racing for NASCAR until 2020, Johnson's last win in a Cup Series race came in June of 2017. While his days of racing full-time are over, Johnson will have some more chances to add to his accolades in 2023.