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USA Today via Reuters
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA FireKeepers Casino 400-Qualifying, Jun 10, 2016 Brooklyn, MI, USA Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. left talks with Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson , right, prior to qualifying for the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports, 10.06.2016 16:05:00, 9333817, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Michigan International Speedway, NASCAR, Jimmie Johnson PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xAaronxDosterx 9333817
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USA Today via Reuters
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA FireKeepers Casino 400-Qualifying, Jun 10, 2016 Brooklyn, MI, USA Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. left talks with Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson , right, prior to qualifying for the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports, 10.06.2016 16:05:00, 9333817, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Michigan International Speedway, NASCAR, Jimmie Johnson PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xAaronxDosterx 9333817
When Jimmie Johnson announced his comeback to NASCAR as a part-time driver and the part owner of the newly rebranded Legacy Motor Club team, fans were ecstatic. After all, one of the sport’s all-time greats was coming back and the prospect of a seven-timer racing again? It can’t get more exciting, surely.
But after his runs in the Daytona 500 and the road course race at Circuit of The Americas, Jimmie Johnson fans are hit with a big setback. He wouldn’t be taking part in the All-Star race.
And when you factor in the aspect of that whole weekend at the historic North Wilkesboro, a racetrack Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. not only helped restore (with a $22 Million project) but will race on ahead of the All-Star weekend in the CARS Tour series, it just gets worse.
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via Getty
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – JULY 23: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, sit in his car prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Super Start Batteries 400 Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Why is Jimmie Johnson not taking part in the All-Star race?
According to journalist Bob Pockrass, the reason for the Hendrick Motorsports legend not taking part in the All-Star race is the eligibility rules by NASCAR. Pockrass reported that NASCAR “did not alter” the eligibility rules for Jimmie Johnson to take part in that race.
“It’s drivers who won a points event in either 2022 or 2023, drivers who won a NASCAR All-Star Race and compete full time and drivers who won a Cup title and compete full time,” he tweeted.
NASCAR did not alter eligibility rules to get Jimmie Johnson automatically eligible for all-star race. It's drivers who won a points event in either 2022 or 2023, drivers who won a NASCAR All-Star Race and compete full time and drivers who won a Cup title and compete full time
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 6, 2023
Fans were clearly not happy with this update and they had their say on Twitter.
“past cup champions were always in.”
“Am I eligible?”
“So hypothetically if a @TeamTrackhouse car hired a driver that has previously won an all star race in let’s say 2000 they could drive in said race?”
“Is Jimmie eligible for a fan vote?”
“When did they add the provision that you had to race full time?”
“Give them a week. They may change the rule yet”
WATCH THIS STORY: “Nothing Has Changed” – Denny Hamlin & Dale Earnhardt Jr. Break Their Silence as NASCAR Drops a Massive Bombshell
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Johnson is headlining an ‘All-Star’ team for NASCAR on the big stage this year
Despite him being ineligible to run in the North Wilkesboro All-Star race, Johnson is still going to run a major event this year for NASCAR. He was announced as part of the official lineup for the Garage 56 entry team that will run in Le Mans later this year.
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Johnson would be joining former F1 champion Jenson Button, and former Le Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller.
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via Imago
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Jimmie Johnson Announcement Nov 4, 2022 Avondale, Arizona, USA Jimmie Johnson speaks with the media during a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz at Phoenix Raceway. Jimmie Johnson finalized an ownership stake within the Petty GMS organization starting in 2023, and Johnson will also drive in select races for the team starting at the Daytona 500. Avondale Phoenix Raceway Arizona USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xGaryxA.xVasquezx 20221104_gav_sv5_007
With that said, are you happy with Johnson’s participation in Le Mans or would you rather swap his trip to France for a seat in North Wilkesboro in June?
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Let us know in the comments below.
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