Jimmie Johnson is returning to the NASCAR Cup Series. Not only is Johnson returning to drive a part-time schedule, he is now co-owner of Petty-GMS Racing. Who had that on their NASCAR bingo card this year? On Wednesday night, The Athletic reporter Jordan Bianchi tweeted a report that Johnson was finalizing a deal to buy into Petty-GMS Racing. On Friday, the press conference was held to make the official announcement. A championship level announcement during NASCAR’s Championship weekend is fitting. The addition of Johnson sees two seven-time champions joining forces to continue to build Petty’s race team. Similar to Brad Keselowski’s addition to the ownership group of Roush, Johnson being brought in as a co-owner seems to point to an eventual replacement of Richard Petty.
While Jimmie Johnson’s entire 2023 schedule is not known, it was announced that he will be running in the Daytona 500 with a third Petty-GMS entry. Johnson, who expressed desire to run non-NASCAR events, is expected to run in some of the more marquee NASCAR events next year. Depending on the amount of races he decides to run, it would be surprising not to see Johnson run the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro, Auto Club’s final race as a 2-mile track, and the Coke 600. Johnson indicated that he wants to try to the Indy 500/Coke 600 double. Other notable races that Johnson might include on his 2023 calendar would include The Clash, the Southern 500, and the Chicago Street Course. At this point though, it is a guessing game.
Though there is ample excitement for Johnson’s return to NASCAR driving, the true intrigue comes with his ownership stake. His driving career is running short. Meanwhile, his ownership stake is for years to come. That piece of this news is the most important piece. What type of impact will Jimmie Johnson bring to Petty-GMS?
Marketable Face
As with most teams in NASCAR, sponsorship is vital to a team’s success. Before the merger with GMS, Petty teams used to struggle to find sponsorship. For 2023, Focus Factor stepped up and became the anchor sponsor for Erik Jones and the 43 car. Ty Dillon has been able to keep his car plastered with sponsors throughout the year. However, a look at GMS’s truck operation can demonstrate how fickle sponsorships can be for teams.
Bringing in Jimmie Johnson will definitely help. Johnson never struggled to find sponsorship during his Cup Series career. From his rookie season until 2018, Lowe’s was the full-time sponsor of Johnson. Once Lowe’s departed, Ally replaced them in their full-time capacity. Even after Johnson left NASCAR, Carvana became Johnson’s IndyCar sponsor for two seasons. Johnson was always able to find sponsorships for his rides. Not only finding sponsors, but the sponsors use Johnson in their marketing. There were numerous Carvana commercials that aired starring Johnson. Lowe’s frequently made use of Johnson for their ads as well. Compare that to other drivers today. How many current Cup Series drivers are featured in their sponsors’ TV commercials?
Surely, Petty-GMS will use Jimmie Johnson as the face of the team. Richard Petty brings value still, but Johnson is more valuable currently. Especially with Johnson getting behind the wheel in 2023, the hope is whatever sponsors Johnson can attract will link up with Erik Jones and Noah Gragson. If Carvana shifts over to NASCAR, perhaps they become associate sponsors of Gragson and Jones.
Trophy Hunting
Much like Kaulig Racing’s 16 car was the past two years, Jimmie Johnson’s part-time ride should be the trophy hunting car. Petty-GMS should allow Johnson to run the schedule that he wants to run. However, they should nudge him toward tracks where he excels. Jimmie Johnson winning a race in 2023 would be a huge deal for Petty-GMS (and NASCAR as a whole). Imagine the NASCAR world if Johnson were able to win the Daytona 500. The headlines of a Petty car back in Daytona’s victory lane with Jimmie Johnson behind the wheel would keep NASCAR pumping for three months.
Based on Johnson’s comments during the press conference, he is looking to tick off dream races from his wish list. Outside the Daytona 500, the only other race Johnson seems to be locked in for is the 24 Hours of Le Mans for NASCAR’s Garage 56 project. While nothing is official yet, Johnson stated he is keeping June completely free. It would be a shock if Johnson is not running in that race. If that is the case, Johnson would not run at Nashville, Sonoma, or WWT in NASCAR.
Obviously, Johnson has not ran a race in the Next Gen Car. The tracks he used to thrive at may not be as friendly to him with the new car. Petty-GMS and Johnson could pencil in a schedule that hits all of his strengths. That does not guarantee a win or even good runs. Johnson dropped off in the final three years of his career, failing to win a race and posting his worst average finish in 2020. His runs next year could be disappointments. However, Johnson and Petty-GMS would be smart to lessen the odds of that happening. They can do that by scheduling Johnson at his best tracks.
Mentoring the Youth
Perhaps the most important thing Jimmie Johnson will bring to Petty-GMS is his mentoring. Petty-GMS will have two young drivers for their Cup Series cars. While Erik Jones is a Cup Series veteran, he will only be 27 at year’s end next year. Noah Gragson will be a rookie next season. Meanwhile in the Truck Series, Daniel Dye will be making his debut for Petty-GMS. Johnson’s vast experience can help all of these drivers. While it is unknown how linked Johnson will be to the GMS truck operation, Johnson will be a huge boost to the Cup Series program.
Though Erik Jones can surely learn from Jimmie Johnson, the main focus for Johnson’s mentoring will be Noah Gragson. Gragson has been impressive in the Xfinity Series this season. That does not equal Cup success though. Plus, Gragson has some areas where he needs more guidance and mentoring. While talent cannot be taught, mental approach, fitness (both mental and physical), and media relations are all areas Johnson can mentor Gragson. No one would want to see Gragson’s personality drastically change, but he needs some polishing. Whether his post race sickness is due from mental stress or physical fatigue, Johnson can help Gragson avoid those illnesses from occurring. Johnson should take Gragson under his wing.
Thinking past 2023, Jimmie Johnson should be hands-on with the truck series program. Petty-GMS is set up with a feeder system. Johnson should be overseeing it to ensure the developmental drivers are progressing. GMS has seen a massive dip in performance this year. Plus, their one Chevy developmental driver in Jack Wood struggled and is leaving for KBM next year. GMS cannot allow Dye to have a season like Wood’s in 2023. If Johnson oversees the program, that should help prevent Dye and future young drivers struggle as Wood did in 2022.
Jimmie Johnson owning a portion of Petty-GMS Racing is huge news. It will be exciting to see Johnson back behind the wheel of NASCAR Cup Series car. However, the ownership piece of Johnson’s move is the main talking point. All parties involved with the move have the long term approach in mind. Bringing in the seven time champion will help Petty-GMS grow and, potentially, turn them into Chevy’s number two team behind Hendrick Motorsports in the long term.
