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DAYTONA, FL – FEBRUARY 15: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Hendrick Motorsports Ally Chevrolet Camaro, during final practice for the Daytona 500 on February 15, 2020 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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DAYTONA, FL – FEBRUARY 15: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Hendrick Motorsports Ally Chevrolet Camaro, during final practice for the Daytona 500 on February 15, 2020 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Jimmie Johnson is all set to make his IndyCar debut this weekend. In the buildup to the race at Barber Motorsport Park, his teammate Scott Dixon decided to play a prank on him. The six-time IndyCar champion got a sticker that labeled Johnson as a ‘student driver’.
Needless to say, the seven-time NASCAR champion took the joke in stride and had a good laugh. Dixon wanted to ensure that the ‘rookie’ received a proper welcome to the open-wheel world, saying “Making sure @JimmieJohnson feels welcomed this weekend! #Rookie“
The former Hendrick Motorsports driver has been testing for as long as he can, and now its the moment of truth.
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Thanks for the heartfelt concern, mate. https://t.co/zXqy8ExAxE
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) April 17, 2021
Safe to say, Johnson didn’t mind his teammate’s prank, replying to Scott’s tweet by saying, “Thanks for the heartfelt concern, mate.”
How have things played out for Jimmie Johnson and Scott Dixon so far?
The defending champion starts fifth on the grid, with Patricio O’ Ward on pole position. Meanwhile, top rookie honors go to Romain Grosjean, who is set to start seventh on the grid for the first round of the season. Meanwhile, Scott McLaughlin will start in 12th place, while Johnson is in a lowly 21st place.
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The reigning three-time Supercars champion could have gone even higher. Unfortunately, he made a small mistake on his final lap in Q2 and he got relegated to 12th. Meanwhile, Dixon stayed in the top five in all three sessions at Barber Motorsport Park. Needless to say, he was thrilled to start on row three.
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AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 08: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, walks on stage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Season Finale 500 at Phoenix Raceway on November 08, 2020 in Avondale, Arizona. Jimmie Johnson is scheduled to retire from full-time NASCAR racing after 2020. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Obviously, Jimmie Johnson was bitterly disappointed to start so far down. However, he can take comfort in the fact that the race is long and anything can happen this Sunday. Meanwhile, O’ Ward will be eager to capitalize on his second career pole position for the Arrow McLaren SP team.
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It is also worth mentioning that Alex Palou was the best of the Chip Ganassi Racing quartet. The Spaniard starts in third place behind O’ Ward and Alexander Rossi. Meanwhile, Marcus Ericsson in the final Chip Ganassi car starts a few places ahead of Jimmie Johnson.
READ MORE: Jimmie Johnson’s IndyCar Teammate Scott Dixon Reveals He Nearly Drove a NASCAR Cup Car
