(Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
AVONDALE, Ariz. — Jimmie Johnson picked up right where he left off.
Over two years removed from his last NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway, Johnson returned to the track Tuesday for Select Driver Orientation Testing. He completed the approved test under strict rules, including just three sets of tires, in preparation for his Daytona 500 attempt next month.
The testing program, created in June 2022, is meant to allow drivers with elite motorsports credentials to drive the Next Gen car before attempting a Cup race. Johnson completed the program while six other drivers tested the 2023 configuration of the Next Gen car Tuesday and Wednesday for improvements to the short track package.
Johnson tested the 2022 configuration of the car. He noticed many differences from the Gen 6 car.
“This car is a lot different than what I drove here in 2020,” Johnson told the media. “There’s a lot of neat areas to work and a whole new kind of drive train that goes with that.
“The new tire, the side wall profile of the tire and certainly the aero balance of the car is dramatically different than the one I’ve experienced before.
“You cannot drive these cars as sideways as the generation of cars that I drove.”
Petty GMS announced on November 4 that Johnson had purchased an ownership stake in the team. On January 11, the organization rebranded to Legacy Motor Club. Johnson will contest a part-time schedule in the No. 84 Chevrolet beginning with a Daytona 500 attempt.
Johnson returns to the stock car world after spending two years racing in other forms of motorsports. The seven-time Cup Series champion did seven IMSA endurance races with Ally Cadillac Racing and 29 NTT INDYCAR Series races with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2021 and 2022.
“It’s been nice to be back in my wheelhouse,” said Johnson. “I think the fifth or sixth time by was my fastest time in the car. To be able to be on pace and to be able to be with the group that quick, it was nice to have that to fall back on and really instinctively drive the car instead of worrying about every little detail on where I put the car and how I use the pedals and the wheel like I’ve been doing in IndyCar for the last two years.”
The rest of Johnson’s 2023 schedule is undetermined. While he said he doesn’t think Tuesday’s test will carry over to Daytona, Johnson feels it could help him find speed for future races.
“I wanted to get up against the limit [Tuesday] and get a feel for things,” Johnson said. “You’re going fast enough [at Phoenix] where there is some mile-and-a-half properties and certainly some short track properties. So all in all, a very good day.”
Johnson will have Todd Gordon serving as crew chief this season. Gordon, who has 25 Cup victories and won the 2018 championship with Joey Logano, stepped away from Team Penske after the 2021 season, citing it as a family decision.
The two champions worked together for the first time beginning at the test.
“Todd’s a true professional. Clearly, his stats speak for himself,” Johnson said. “Trying to find somebody to really help fit in, work with me and also help the organization. Todd’s the perfect candidate for that.”
Johnson’s Daytona 500 attempt will begin with qualifying on Wednesday, Feb. 15 and the Bluegreen Vacations Duel on Thursday, Feb. 16.
