Jimmie Johnson: “I want to go to Le Mans” with Garage 56 in 2023

A true jack-of-all-trades in the United States, Jimmie Johnson is naturally curious. His seven crowns Nascar acquired between 2006 and 2016 have only increased his motivation to perform at the highest level, regardless of the discipline contested. Converted toIndyCar as well asIMSA, the Californian seems to be heading towards a new challenge: 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Invited to discuss his future during a Zoom interview launched by IMSA for American journalists, the 46-year-old pilot indicated that he had contacted the stakeholders of the initiative. Garage 56 in view of the Centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023, Hendrick Motorsports.

ALSO READ > NASCAR is coming to the 24 2023 Hours of Le Mans!

This benchmark team in Nascar (14 Drivers and Teams titles) is preparing a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 next-en for Sarthe. The project is overseen by Chad Knaus, Vice President of Competition at Hendrick Motorsports... who also manages the Action Express Racing team's IMSA program. Who did we find in this structure during the races?Endurance in the United States in 2021 and at Daytona last winter? Jimmie Johnson, of course!

“I want to go to Le Mans, assured Jimmie Johnson this Tuesday, June 21. It would be an awesome experience. I'm grateful to have already been able to conduct a few conversations with Hendrick. I am very interested in doing (24 hours of Le Mans). We're just waiting for the first domino (allowing you to set up your participation) tombs."

The first domino is the publication of the IndyCar calendar. Engaged with Chip Ganassi Racing for all events in 2022, Jimmie Johnson wishes to continue the same program in 2023, despite results below his pedigree (24th with 85 points after eight races).

Friendly familiar faces around the garages.#NextGenG56 | #LEMANS24h pic.twitter.com/2rLTydvjKS

— NASCARG56 (@nascarg56) June 11, 2022

In 2022, IndyCar competed in the Detroit event at the same time as the 24 Hours of Le Mans test day, while the Sarthe high mass coincided with the Road America meeting.

“I always look forward to the release of the calendar (from IndyCar) and I harass behind the scenes (IndyCar president) Jay Frye and other figures to try to understand what the appropriate timeline might be”, which would allow him to overtake Le Mans and his entry in IndyCar. Clearly, Jimmie Johnson is a tough business person!