For Jimmie Johnson’s NASCAR Return, 7 Times 7 Could Equal Car No. 49

Dan Smith MARCH 6, 2024

Avondale, Arizona - November 8: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet sits in his car. ... [+] Before the NASCAR Cup Series Season Finale 500 on November 8, 2020 at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

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Jimmie Johnson will return to the Nascar Cup Series in '65^th Daytona 500 on February 19, 2023, but the familiar No. 48 Chevrolet will not appear. That number belongs to Hendrick Motorsports, and the seven-time Nascar Cup Series champion is now riding Alex Bowman's Chevrolet after retiring from full-time Nascar competition at the end of his 2020 season. Johnson has used the No. 48 in the NTT IndyCar Series for the past two seasons with Chip Ganassi Racing, helping to make him a recognizable player in a career that includes 84 Cup Series wins, including two at the Daytona 500. Continuing number. Johnson announced his return to Nascar on November 4th when he became an ownership partner of Petty GMS Racing. The main owner is Molly Gallagher, and his other owner is Richard Petty, who won the Nascar Cup Series seven times and the Daytona 500 he won seven times. Johnson also announced that he would compete in a limited number of NASCAR Cup Series races, including the Daytona 500. Petty GMS formed on December 7, 2021 and had an impressive debut season with driver Eric Jones winning the Southern 500 in the famous No. 43 Chevrolet made famous by Petty.

Noah Gragson will also join the squad for the 2023 Nascar Cup Series season.

everything is in numbers

What number will Johnson have in his Chevrolet when he comes out of the garage to start practice at Daytona International Speedway? Mike Beam, president of Petty GMS, has an idea. "People started connecting the dots after we announced Jimmy," said Beam. "7 times 7 is 49. "Oh my god, I never thought of that. "We have two seven-time champions, and seven times seven is 49. That's a perfect number for our team with Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson." It's not official, but it's a meaningful number for a new path in Johnson's career as Cup Series owner/driver for teams including Petty. When I had the chance to speak with Johnson on Oct. 4 ahead of his signing of his new book, One More Lap – Jimmie Johnson and the #48, he discussed possible car numbers. . This was a month before his ownership was announced with his Petty GMS Racing. "It's definitely going to be a different number," Johnson said. "My daughter asked me that one night. "It could be 84. Just swap 4 and 8." Nascar used three digits in its early days, but don't expect to see "048" on Johnson's car.

Avondale, Arizona - November 4: Former NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson (C) speaks to the media ... [+] Ownership of Petty GMS Motorsports as team owners Richard Petty (left) and Molly Gallagher (right) look on during a press conference at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona on November 4, 2022. announced an investment. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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Marketing "Dream Team"

This opens up the potential for increased marketing opportunities for all types of Petty GMS as it involves two 7-time champions with a total of 284 wins and 14 championships as owners. "There's a lot of excitement on the marketing part of it," says Beam. “It's pretty cool trying to tie 7 and 7 together. "It's so exciting to see it and be part of it," said Beam. "It's taking off. A lot of people have reached out to us at different companies. Now it's just putting together the best deals." "We have an announcement earlier this year. How amazing to be able to pitch Jimmie Johnson and Richard Petty. It's crazy." Both Petty and Johnson recognize the value of marketing and enjoy being the face of the team. Petty, who is 85 years old, still enjoys traveling, spending time with fans, and visiting sponsors. His autograph has become a legend. As the main sponsor of his No. 48 IndyCar with Chip Ganassi Racing, Johnson was a modern marketing machine that brought new sponsors to auto racing such as Carvana.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 29: Jimmy Johnson, Driver of the #48 Carvana Chip Ganassi Racing Honda ... [+] Leads a pack of cars during the 106th run of the Indianapolis 500 held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 29, 2022. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

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bucket list

When Johnson announced he would be stepping away from racing full-time on September 26, he spoke about running a "to-do list" schedule that included IndyCar, Nascar, IMSA and the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans. talked. He also talked about how Charlotte achieved a "double" on the same day, running the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 at his motor speedway. But since that declaration, Johnson's Nascar ownership obligations have taken precedence. He won't be competing in his Imsa or Drivers Rolex 24 at Daytona next month. Johnson is not under contract for the Indianapolis 500 and Chevrolet has to sign a contract with his IndyCar team. Team Penske told me in October they wouldn't be adding additional cars to the Indianapolis 500, so that team is not being considered. Arrow said McLaren had no room in the team as he added 2013 Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan to his line-up for the 500-mile race. Ed Carpenter Racing, Dreyer & Linebold Racing and Jancos would then be the only Chevrolet teams able to put Johnson in their Indy 500 car. With each passing day, it looks like Johnson's 107 rides are getting harder to find^thIndianapolis 500. But if that happens, Beam has the second part of the "double" covered for Johnson running on a Coca-Cola 600. "From our first conversation with Jimmy, he was talking about IndyCar, how to build the Indy 500, qualifying," Beam said. "When he did his rookie orientation, on the first or second lap in IndyCar, he was already faster than he had been on pole position in a Cup car. “There has been a lot of discussion and a lot of work going into getting the plans together and talking with Nascar about our schedule in Charlotte. "I feel good about it." Beam said private planes will be used and standby drivers will be used for practice and qualifying if needed. “We will revisit it on December 28th and it is very exciting,” said Beam. "Jimmy really wants it, and if he wants it, we'll do it." At 47, Johnson is the oldest driver to complete the double. "I'm not worried about that," said Beam. "Given his workout schedule, it hardly matters. “Jimmy has been with Nascar in the Garage 56 simulator and at Le Mans with Rick Hendrick. , we'll get it all done." In terms of ownership roles, Beam enjoys working with Johnson and is more involved in the business of Petty GMS Racing. "It worked very well," Beam said. "Since I started talking to Jimmy, we've had meetings about cars, carriers, pit boxes. I always make fun of Morley because he's 3,000 miles away from him and he's thrown in my lap but that's fine. “But it worked out very well. We can have the body on the car in three days on the next car. Everyone is excited about Jimmy. “What I know about Jimmie Johnson is true. He works his tail.