Seven-time NASCAR cup series champion Jimmie Johnson has revealed that he has an IndyCar test session planned with Chip Ganassi Racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway next week.
Both Johnson and the Chip Ganassi team will already be in Indianapolis for the upcoming GMR Grand Prix and Brickyard 400 double header this upcoming weekend, which will be held behind closed doors.
The 44-year-old has been at the top level of stock car racing since 2002 and is currently participating in his final season before retiring from NASCAR at the end of the year. He has made no secret of his interest in open-wheel racing of late, and is leaving his future racing plans open as he explores what IndyCar has to offer.
Johnson has shown interest in open-wheel racing previously, having participated in a ride-swap with Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso at the conclusion of the 2018 season. Johnson had maintained ties with McLaren since that test, which has helped him get a foot in the door to the IndyCar scene.
Johnson had previously planned to get behind the wheel of an IndyCar earlier this year in a test session for McLaren’s new IndyCar venture, Arrow McLaren SP. That test at Barber Motorsports Park had to be cancelled, however, due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In place of that test, Johnson was invited to run as a special guest driver during a couple of IndyCar’s iRacing Challenge races that took place during the delay in on-track action. Johnson held his own, finishing as high as 12th among the field of IndyCar regulars on the virtual circuits.
The veteran driver will likely get some good driving tips from five-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon, who races for Chip Ganassi and will be among his team-mate for the day.
The test session is scheduled for Wednesday, July 8 and will take place on the road course layout that IndyCar will have run just a few days prior.
