Jimmie Johnson tests Indycar oval (Video)

Indycar oval speed “insane”

This year, Jimmie Johnson is treading uncomfortable waters. He’s made the jump from big and heavy stock cars to light and twitchy Indycars.

Watch the Jimmie Johnson Indycar test video below.

So far, Johnson’s schedule has featured nothing but road courses. However, recently, he’s hinted at the idea of running an Indycar oval.

However, today Jimmie Johnson tested an oval. The Indycar test took place on familar grounds at the Texas Motor Speedway a track where he has 35 NASCAR starts and 7 race wins.

Johnson said initially of his oval test, “Speed on ovals is insane. Currently re-calibrating my eyes.”

He added, “Thanks for another first today Chip Ganassi. Plenty of depth in the driver coaching department too.”

Dario Franchitti, Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan were all on hand in the test to give advice.

Jimmie Johnson comments on Indycar ovals

“Today is really my first step toward the Indy 500 or potentially racing on ovals,” Johnson said.

“I feel like I need to work through things that make me comfortable with the car on track, and more test sessions are needed on track before I can make a decision, certainly more conversations with my family, with Chip, with our sponsors. There are a lot of moving pieces to this.”

“I’m just very thankful that the team was able to identify a day and say, ‘Hey, let’s just go get some laps and see what you think.’ “

“And then we’ll know from here, once I have a day or two to digest it, what that next step might be and do we look to go on to another oval and try to get more experience, working toward a race someday down the road.”

Jimmie Johnson recently commented on a return to NASCAR

The race at Indianapolis was an Indycar/NASCAR double-header. Johnson also stated he’s open to a part-time NASCAR return.

“I’m open,” Johnson told the Charlotte Observer on a possible NASCAR return.

“More than anything, I’m trying to keep my race count around 20 races a year and with my road and street courses in IndyCar and then the four IMSA races I’m running for Action Express Racing; I’m right around that 20-race mark. So I’m open, and if a good opportunity came along I would seriously consider it.”

Recently, Chip Ganassi Racing has sold their NASCAR operations to Trackhouse Racing. That transaction will complete at the end of the 2021 season. It removes an easy entry point for Johnson to return to NASCAR.

“That seemed like a very easy, logical path to come run some NASCAR events. There’s the Hendrick Motorsports alliance, plus obviously driving the Ganassi IndyCar, so there’s the crossover.”

He added, “Now that opportunity is no longer there, but the phone has been ringing some. There is some interest from other NASCAR teams out there. I wish that the rules would allow Hendrick to run a fifth car because I would love to come back with Mr. Hendrick and moonlight a little bit in one of his cars, but I don’t know if there’s a realistic way to pull that off.”

Jimmie Johnson has 9 Indycar stats on his resume. His best finish is 19th which he claimed in his debut in the Grand Prix of Alabama and again in his most recent start in the Indianapolis Grand Prix.

Jimmie Johnson
Texas Motor Speedway
Indycar Test Video
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Jimmie Johnson | Chip Ganassi Racing | Texas Motor Speedway | Indycar | NASCAR

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