Chip Ganassi Racing announced today that Carvana will be the title sponsor for Jimmie Johnson’s entry into the NTT IndyCar series next season.
Carvana is an internet-based used car sales company that has been growing quickly in recent years and has been sponsoring quite a few motorsports along the way.
Johnson will be partnering the current dominant driver of IndyCar, Scott Dixon, resulting in Chip Ganassi Racing having one of the most experienced lineups in the field.
“I think this is a perfect fit for our organization – Carvana is a very exciting technology company that is always continuing to challenge themselves to be the best they can be,” said Team Owner Chip Ganassi.
“You all know Jimmie and his accomplishments. Jimmie is a champion and a winner and will bring tremendous value to our organization.
“I think we’re going to learn as much from him and his approach as he is going to learn about IndyCar racing.
“It will only move the team in a positive direction.”
Johnson will be driving for Chip Ganassi on a part-time basis, getting behind the wheel for all the road courses in the 2021 season.
The seven-time NASCAR cup series champion has spent the past 20 years racing in NASCAR, and has driven for Hendrick Motorsports for the duration of his stock car career.
Johnson has had an interest in IndyCar for quite a while, and has found this sponsorship as a way to fund the transition into the sport as he winds down his illustrious NASCAR career.
He will be a rookie again at 45 years old and is looking forward to the steep learning curve that comes from switching disciplines well into his career.
“I can think back to some other key moments when opportunity came along for me, and that’s very familiar,” said Johnson.
“I feel like it’s day one, and my excitement to compete, my desire to be competitive is as strong as it’s ever been.
“We’re here to win races. That’s who we are as a group. If we didn’t have that common goal, we wouldn’t be here today making this announcement.
“I think it’s going to be a very steep learning curve for me to deal with, but I love a good challenge and I’m really excited to start this next chapter in my motorsports career.”
Johnson is present at the Firestone GP of St. Petersburg, not for the first time, and is learning how the race weekend works in the new discipline.
Aside from a couple test sessions scheduled for the upcoming off-season, Johnson’s first race will be back at St. Pete next spring for the 2021 season opener.
