Johnson is returning to NASCAR in a driver/ownership role that will have him competing in select Cup Series races next season. The agreement with the Petty GMS organization brings together two seven-time Cup champions along with founder Maury Gallagher. The team curr🍌ently has two full-time cars, with Erik Jones returning to the No. 43 Chevrolet next year, and Noah Gragson driving the No. 32 in his rookie campaign.

The team will field a third car for Johnson in a handful of races, and he will make his 20th Daytona 500 start in February. Johnson is a two-time winner of the Great American Race, and has a total of 83 career Cup victories. This will be his first start since the 2020 season finale and his first race with a different team. All of Johnson's 686 starts have been with Hendrick M🐬otorspo✤rts.

"It's great to be back in NASCAR," Johnson said. "When the IndyCar season ended I started on this journey of what was next. Maury and I connected, this opportunity came to light, and it's the perfect fit for me. I've had a watchful eye on the🧜 ownership part and what's happening with NASCAR, and I want to be part of it."

When the opportunity came to light, Johnson immediately r🍨eached out to Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon, who were excited for him. "This is a tremendous day for our sport," Hendrick said. "Seeing Jimmie in a fire suit with his name on the roof of a Chevrolet at the Daytona 500 is going to be very special for a lot of people. We wꩵelcome his return to NASCAR and look forward to the next chapter of a truly remarkable career."

Today's announcement should not come as a major surprise. Gordon had a✱n ownership role in Johnson's No. 48 car during his career. Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin are both full-time drivers that are also co-owners in the sport. The rise of teams like GMS and Trackhouse Racing with 🎃Justin Marks are just another example of the opportunities that exist.

Johnson, who just turned 47 years old in September, has a few other races on his bucket list for next season. He is hopeful that NASCAR will make him eligible for the 2023 All-Star race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The four-tiꦦme Coca-Cola 600 winner would also like to compete in that race again, which leads to the big question - what about doing "The Double" next year?

The 2022 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Yea൩r is certainly up for the challenge, but he is currently in a holding pattern regarding the IndyCar side of things. Chip Ganassi Racing is still working on finalizing their program for next s♌eason, which may or may not have a seat to bring Johnson back.

🅠More details of the races, sponsors, car number, etc for Johnson will be announced a🐽t a later date.