“I Can’t Put Away the Steering Wheel” – Jimmie Johnson Unravels His Racing Plans Alongside His Cup Series Venture

It’s not always easy for a racer to completely quit racing even after they announce their retirement from full-time competition. One driver who has not been able to fully walk away from the sport yet is NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson. The seven-time Cup Series champion may have a lot on his plate being the co-owner of a race team but racing is something he has regularly participated in. On a recent episode of the NASCAR Live podcast, the 48-year-old shared his plans for the future.

Jimmie Johnson was recently inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame along with his long-time crew chief Chad Knaus. The duo is considered to be the greatest driver-crew chief pairing in the history of the sport and won five straight Cup Series championships. It was a heartwarming moment for fans who lived through the #48 era of dominance during the 2000s and 2010s.

Jimmie Johnson expresses interest in sports, classic car racing

The NASCAR legend will be running a few races with his team Legacy Motor Club in the 2024 Cup season. While racing is something that is still very much in his blood, Jimmie Johnson’s priorities have changed. After several years of mastering the race track, the biggest goal for the 48-year-old right now is to find that perfect work-life balance and spend as much time as possible with his family.

However, that does not mean that he will give up racing just yet. Apart from the nine Cup Series races that he will participate in, the former Cup Series champion said that he was looking for opportunities in sports cars and classic car racing events.

“My perspective on it has shifted. Of course, I want to be competitive and I have that in the back of my mind and I’m gonna fully commit to the races that I run but I’m really striving to have the best work-life balance that I can. I can’t put away the steering wheel, this is what I love to do so I’ll have the nine Cup races. In addition to that, I’d like to find some sports car events and some classic car racing…and also spend time with my family and travel,” JJ said on the podcast.

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The NASCAR Hall of Famer’s focus at the moment, however, is solely on his family and that is understandable. They all went through a horrendous ordeal surrounding his in-laws during the summer. Now, Jimmie Johnson just wants his family to heal and spend as much time as possible with his children.

Johnson family taking the team to heal after challenging ordeal in 2023

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The family is currently living in the United Kingdom temporarily. They needed a change of atmosphere after what they went through in 2023 and the focus will be on healing. The seven-time Cup Series champion also said that he had missed a big portion of his kids’ lives growing up which he wants to make up with the time they have now.

“We’re living in the UK right now, it’s not forever, it’s just an opportunity for our family to explore and heal, what we’ve been through the summer. Speaking of summer, I’ve worked hard to make sure that my summer was open so that I can be with my family. Kids are out of school, I’ve missed so many opportunities to travel and be with them over the years,” the California native said.

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Things haven’t been ideal for the Johnsons of late but the fact that they are taking time out for themselves to get better is a good thing. For racing fans as well, it won’t be long before Jimmie Johnson hits the track in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series.