North Carolina

7-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson will retire after 2020

By JENNA FRYER, AP Auto Racing Writer
By JENNA FRYER, AP Auto Racing Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson says 2020 will be his final season of full-time racing.

The winningest driver of his era will have a 19th season in the No. 48 Chevrolet and once again chase a record eighth championship. Johnson made the announcement Wednesday in a video posted on social media.

"I am so thankful for 18 incredible years of racing in NASCAR," Johnson said in the black-and-white video comprised of highlights from his career. "This sport has been good to me and allowed me to do something I truly love. I showed up chasing a dream and achieved more than I thought possible. I am looking forward to next season and celebrating what will be my last year as a full-time Cup driver. I know what this team is capable of and I hope 2020 is one of the best yet."

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Johnson scheduled a Thursday news conference at Hendrick Motorsports to discuss his decision. He joins Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. as Hendrick drivers who have called it a career since Gordon retired after the 2015 season.

Johnson has 83 career victories, tied with Cale Yarborough for sixth all-time. The California native's seven titles are tied with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for most in the Cup Series.

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The 44-year-old Johnson has been in a two-year slump and last won a race in 2017. He had two different crew chief changes this season and missed the playoffs for the first time since the format began in 2004.

Johnson finished 18th in the final standings. He won his seventh title in 2016.

Johnson has driven for Rick Hendrick his entire Cup career and set a NASCAR record in winning five consecutive titles from 2006 through 2010, an accomplishment that earned him Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year after his fifth crown.

All 83 of Johnson's wins have come in the No. 48 and include two Daytona 500s, four victories at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a record 11 wins at Dover International Speedway, nine at Martinsville Speedway and eight at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Associated Press

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