Instead, the 7-time champ is now a co-owner of Legacy Motor Club
Jimmie Johnson is a 7-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. He spent a 20-year career following his debut in 2000 with one team, Hendrick Motorsports.
This year, Johnson is back after retiring from full-time racing following the 2020 season. He’s driving for Legacy Motor Club in a part-time schedule, a team that he recently became a co-owner of.
Legacy Motor Club was formerly known as Petty GMS. Before that it was Petty Enterprises.
But, before that, Johnson once had an opportunity to become a co-owner of Hendrick Motorsports…
Jimmie Johnson to run five NASCAR races in 2023
Jimmie Johnson talks the changes in NASCAR
“I’ve been watching from afar, the last two years. With the idea of the ownership group working on affordability, NASCAR trying to help and understand. The collaboration between the two sides to create the Next Gen car.,” Johnson stated via Daytona Media Day.
“You could go back a little further. The charter system coming about and watching the charters initial trade value, to what it is now.”
“There’s just a lot of factors that have been interesting to watch.”
Jimmie Johnson drives dirt sprint car (Video)
Jimmie Johnson was once offered ownership at Hendrick Motorsports
“I had opportunities to become an owner with Mr. Hendrick back in the day through contract negotiations. But, a lot of this framework I just spoke of, wasn’t around.”
“Rick even very kindly said, ‘I’m not sure this is a very good idea to take ownership. I don’t know if you’re going to be able to enjoy what is accumulates to, someday.’ “
“So, I declined at that point.”
Johnson has come full circle and become a co-owner of legacy Motor Club. Rick Hendrick was the first person he reached out to when he was looking to jump into that ring.
“He was the first person I went to when I thought about ownership. Just to get his opinion.”
“The sport’s trading in a very good direction for a lot of reasons. I didn’t want to miss an opportunity to be a part of where NASCAR is going to go.”
Johnson is racing in this weekend’s Daytona 500. As one of the 6 open cars, he’s already in the show following qualifying on Wednesday.
Daytona 500 Qualifying Results: February 2023 (NASCAR)
Links
Jimmie Johnson | Hendrick Motorsports | Legacy Motor Club | NASCAR
