Jimmie Johnson has expressed his great desire to contest the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023 and manages several options to do it. The most obvious is being part of the Hendrick Motorsports project driver line-up at Garage 56, although he is also not ruling out being part of Action Express Racing’s effort if the line-up competes with two Cadillac LMDh prototypes in the WEC’s premier event. Yes indeed, the intentions of the seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup winner are contingent on a possible clash of dates with IndyCar.
During a recent digital press appearance, Jimmie Johnson has reaffirmed his great interest in making his Le Mans 24 Hours debut next year, especially if there is no clash of dates with IndyCar like this year, since his idea is to continue in the single-seater championship next year. In this aspect, Johnson has acknowledged that the first conversations with Hendrick Motorsports have taken place to be part of the roster of drivers to compete with the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 of the new generation of NASCAR vehicles in Garage 56 in 2023.
Beyond this possibility, Jimmie also has the path open to Action Express Racing and Cadillac, since the team is expected to be present at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the brand’s new LMDh. It should be remembered that Johnson is a regular with the team at the Michelin Endurance Cup events of the IMSA and if last year he contested Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Petit Le Mans, this season he has also climbed into the Cadillac DPi-VR with number #48 at Daytona.
«I am eagerly awaiting the IndyCar schedule and I am pressing so that the clash of dates does not take place. I want to go to Le Mans, it would be an amazing experience go with the Hendrick Motorsports team or with Action Express Racing. It depends a lot on the calendar if I can do it or not, also from the point of view of the teams to know which drivers are at the top of their list. I have had some conversations with them and I know there is interest. I am very interested in doing it »he has confessed Jimmie Johnson about.
With this idea in mind, Johnson added: «I feel that there is an interest from both parties. We have not been able to speak in a more formal way because the calendar has not been released. I feel that everything can happen and I can have a complete program. If Action Express Racing managed to help Kamui Kobayashi deal with the conflict over his role as a Toyota driver, I’m sure if there is a chance it can be resolved. Really everything can happen, you have to see the available cars and the dates and from there define the opportunities».
Photos: IMSA