There is to be an open weekend in the 2023 NTT IndyCar Series schedule to accommodate crossover to the prestigious endurance event in France. The seven-time Cup Series winner revealed Tuesday morning that he is "eagerly" awaiting confirmation of it. The 107th Indy 500 will take place two weeks before the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which will hold on June 10-11, 2020.
Johnson remarked that I would love to travel to Le Mans with Hendrick and Action Express and see how this alliance works. "But I believe that a lot depends on the (IndyCar) calendar being announced to understand if I can, and from a team position, what drivers would be at the top of their list. I'm grateful that we've spoken to them a couple of times and that they seem interested. It is thing I am very interested in. Said, we're still awaiting the first domino to fall.
On both sides, it seems like there is a lot of interest. Due to the lack of a schedule, we haven't been able to have a more formal conversation.
Team owner Rick Hendrick has repeatedly referred to Johnson as a top contender for the anticipated Garage 56 entry at Le Mans next year ever since launching the project in March.
Chad Knaus, vice president of motorsports for Hendrick, will oversee the initiative. Johnson's seven Cup championship crew chief also attended this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans two weeks ago. Several executives from IMSA, Chevrolet, and Hendrick participated in the race for meetings about the Garage 56 entry, which IMSA president John Doonan told NBC Sports will be approved in January. These executives included Chief Operating Officer Jeff Gordon, also on Hendrick's list of potential drivers.
Johnson hasn't finalised his 2023 racing itinerary yet. Still, he anticipates having the same lineup this year, which includes an entire IndyCar season plus a schedule of endurance races in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Series. Before his Indy 500 debut last month, Johnson stated that it would likely be a few months before he would learn more about sponsor Carvana's potential comeback with his No. 48 Dallara-Honda in IndyCar.
Some doubt exists regarding the availability of chassis for part-time programmes like the No. 48 Ally Cadillac, which has been raced for Johnson by Action Express for the past two years. Next year's rebranded GTP category, the premier prototype category DPi will be replaced with the new platform LMDh.
Johnson remarked, "I honestly think it's scheduling and opportunity permitting. "Sports car racing is going through such a shake-up next year that I'm not sure the dust has fully cleared to see where changes might be. I still believe that I and a few others will have greater clarity within the next two months. As this series starts to take shape and we are aware of the cars, seats, and chances
Johnson, who is in his first IndyCar season after competing on road and street circuits in 2021, said, "I'm not sure where that has come from; it has not been in any chats I've had or thought processes I've had. "What I've been doing has been incredibly enjoyable. Continue to advance. We intend to retake similar actions the following year.
Johnson, who is in his first IndyCar season after competing on road and street circuits in 2021, said, "I'm not sure where that has come from; it has not been in any chats I've had or thought processes I've had. "What I've been doing has been incredibly enjoyable. Continue to advance. We intend to retake similar Action the following year.
Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January, Chad Knaus spoke with Jimmie Johnson and Kamui Kobayashi (Brett Farmer/IMSA).
Following a three-month sabbatical, Johnson will compete this weekend at Watkins Glen International in the No. 48 Ally Cadillac alongside teammates Mike Rockenfeller and Kamui Kobayashi.
The trio's last race was in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, when a previous night crash destroyed their chances of winning. Johnson missed the vehicle's final start at Sebring International Raceway due to the IndyCar event at Texas Motor Speedway (where the No. 48 finished sixth with Kobayashi, Rockenfeller and Jose Maria Lopez).
Johnson hopes to continue racing in IMSA alongside Kobayashi and Rockenfeller because they are "two just terrific human beings and great men to be around," even though Kobayashi has close ties to Toyota as the manager of its World Endurance Championship team.
I genuinely don't know what's going on," Johnson admitted. "I believe Action has been able to assist Kamui in navigating through the Toyota problem, and we have been able to do it for a few years, so I am convinced we would be able to sort it out if there was an opportunity. Rocky has a slightly more flexible schedule. I'm sure we all want to stick together, and I think we could arrange that politically and behind the scenes. Having access to driveable autos is essentially all that matters. It's still hazy. I believe we'll know more about the potential opportunities in the upcoming month or two.
Additionally, Johnson is confident in his ability to keep Ally. She also supported him in the Cup Series and continues to be Alex Bowman's principal sponsor with No. 48 of Hendrick (supplying Knaus and other team members to Action Express Michelin Endurance Cup entry).
The connection with (Ally) is steadfast, according to Johnson. "Regarding IndyCar, sports cars, or any other racing-related thoughts I have, we are still in this phase. Right now, options are just beginning to be discussed. The paper starts to circulate, and people start trying to ink things and finish them off at the end of the summer or the beginning of the fall. I'm trying to keep my choices open, but it's still early in the cycle.
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