Why is Jimmie Johnson in the Indy 500? NASCAR star has struggled in IndyCar series

Jimmie Johnson is already one of the most decorated NASCAR drivers of all time. His 83 race wins are tied for sixth best, he has seven Cup Series championships, and now he’s trying his hand at another kind of racing.

Johnson is participating in the Indy 500 on Sunday, as he continues to try to leave a mark on the IndyCar series. Johnson has struggled early in his career, but he appears to be on the right track.

The driver has run 17 races in two IndyCar seasons, with a best finish of sixth place at the XPEL 375 at the Texas Grand Prix. Most recently, Johnson placed 23rd at the Grand Prix in St. Petersburg.

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In spite of his struggles, Johnson doesn’t seem disheartened about his IndyCar experience. He will be starting in the 12th position on Sunday’s Indy 500.

Why is Jimmie Johnson racing in the Indy 500?

Johnson is in his first full run through of the Indy circuit in 2022. He joined Chip Ganassi Racing alongside Scott Dixon and Alex Palou, the top two positions in this year’s Indy 500. Johnson announced at the end of 2021 he was going to make the transition to full-time IndyCar racing.

I’m going #FullTime next year! I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the @Carvana machine for the full @INDYCAR season, including the #Indy500. #NoFinishLines pic.twitter.com/pCOUno42To

— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) December 15, 2021

Johnson participated in 12 races in 2021 and appeared to enjoy it, speaking well of the experience despite his early struggles.

“We’ve really enjoyed it,” Johnson said when asked how he enjoyed being in the IndyCar fold, per IndyCar.com.

We had an amazing experience and time in NASCAR, met so many great people. It’s not that we’re saying this is better than or taking anything away from that experience. But it is nice to have new experiences. I do feel like the fewer races in the IndyCar Series creates a little more casual environment.

That casual environment is key, and it falls in line with what Johnson said when he made the switch.

“I’ve always firmly felt that there’s just too much racing in NASCAR,” Johnson told Forbes in 2021. “That’s my opinion and I’ve had that conversation with executives at NASCAR. Reducing the schedule down to 25-28 races I think would be the ideal way to go about it.”

The interview paints a picture of someone disillusioned with the sport, not to mention a top level driver who saw a massive drop in his pay.

“I would say that through earnings and potential for a team, it’s been down probably 50 percent,” he told Forbes. “From a driver contract standpoint – from 2015 to where it is now – it’s probably half.”

How has Jimmie Johnson done in the IndyCar Series?

The Indy car has definitely taken some getting used to for Johnson. He struggled in 2021, averaging 21st place throughout the 12 races he ran in. This year, however, Johnson appears to be starting to gain his feel. He placed sixth in Texas on March 20, a career best. However, he wants to do better.

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“I really feel like I need to be further up in the field or would like to be further up in the field,” he said, per IndyCar.com. “I certainly feel like qualifying, having the opportunity to qualify on the oval this weekend, in the equipment I’ll be in, I should be able to have a career-best starting position, then look forward from there, try to understand traffic, race my way into the top 10, top five, if possible.”

Johnson is averaging a 19th-place finish this season.

In spite of his struggles, Johnson is racing on a very good team and seems to be liking the circuit. The adjustment from NASCAR to IndyCar is an unforgiving one, something one of the best to ever race in NASCAR has learned very quickly.