Jimmie Johnson has always been the type of guy who chases big dreams, even when others think he’s already done it all. Back in 2020, while winding down a career that most drivers could only dream about, Johnson was already thinking of some exciting new plans. And believe it or not, part of that inspiration came from none other than Formula One legend Fernando Alonso.
At first glance, NASCAR’s most famous No. 48 driver and a globe-trotting F1 champion might seem like they live in two different racing worlds. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find the kind of fearless spirit that ties them together.
Jimmie Johnson Looks Beyond NASCAR
After racking up 83 Cup Series wins, including two shiny Daytona 500 trophies, Johnson was ready to step away from the grind of full-time NASCAR life. He told The Daytona Beach News-Journal back then that 2020 would be his last full season, and you could tell he was at peace with the decision.
Still, the guy’s not wired to just sit on the porch and watch life go by. Even as he geared up for his final runs at Daytona — the Go Bowling 235 on the road course and the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on the tri-oval — Johnson had bigger dreams brewing.
During his chat with the newspaper, Johnson couldn’t hide his excitement about trying out the Daytona road course. He called it a new kind of challenge, one that sparked the old competitive fire inside him. “I’m excited about it,” he said. “I have a lot of miles on that course between my Rolex 24 races and a 6-hour summer race I did there. It’s a unique challenge … I see this as a big challenge.”
But what got him talking was the idea of trying something completely different. After running a few laps at Indianapolis in an IndyCar, Johnson admitted he had caught the open-wheel bug.
Today was incredible. Sign me up for more! pic.twitter.com/oz69CimIAp
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson)
When asked about what his plans were after the 2020 Cup Series, he replied, ” I’d like a 15-race schedule. That would be ideal for me. I’m looking at some options. I don’t know where it’s going to go, but I really want to race at a high level. After my IndyCar experience, I think there are some opportunities for me to get with a good team and be very competitive.”
“The marquee events come to mind pretty quickly. More than anything, I want to cut my schedule in half and live a balanced life and not be in the grind like I’ve been the last 21 years,” he added.
And just like that, NASCAR’s golden boy started sounding a whole lot like Alonso.
Following in Fernando Alonso’s Footsteps
For those who don’t follow every twist and turn of the racing world, Alonso is a two-time Formula 1 champion who decided to ditch the F1 life for a while and try just about everything else — IndyCar, endurance racing, you name it. And that bold, adventurous spirit stuck with Johnson.
Instead of retiring quietly, Johnson wanted to carve out a new path, picking and choosing races that fueled his passion. Maybe a little NASCAR, maybe some IndyCar, maybe even a few marquee events around the world. The goal wasn’t to collect more trophies — it was to chase the thrill of competition without burning himself out.
“Fernando has definitely been an inspiration. Drivers of an age like Fernando and me want to be like Foyt, Andretti, Jones and Gurney and travel the world and hit all the marquee events,” Johnson said. “Sure, I could stay and run more NASCAR, but why not try different things? I need a change of pace. I need some different things going on.”
Johnson’s story isn’t just about a guy leaving NASCAR. It’s about chasing what makes you feel alive — even if it means starting over at 44 years old. And if Alonso can pull it off, why not Johnson too?