Seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson will drive in next week’s Cup race at Circuit of the Americas and the May 28 Coca-Cola 600, Legacy Motor Club announced Tuesday.
“COTA has been on my racing ‘bucket list’ for a very long time,” said Johnson, co-owner of team. “But my timing was off by a year or so. I was hoping it was going to be on the INDYCAR schedule – and it wasn’t – and then they added it to the NASCAR schedule after I left. I’m excited to finally be able to check this one off the list and thankful to Club Wyndham for making it happen. From everything I’ve heard, NASCAR drivers have had a lot of fun racing at COTA, so to say I’m looking forward to it is an understatement.”
Club Wyndham will serve as the sponsor for the No. 84 car in both races.
Johnson’s return to Charlotte Motor Speedway reunites him with one of his most successful tracks. He won eight times there, including the Coca-Cola 600 four times.
“The Coke 600 is one of those premiere races on the schedule,” said Johnson. “For fans, it’s truly one of the greatest days in motorsports with Monaco (Formula 1), INDYCAR’s Indianapolis 500, and then NASCAR’s longest race that starts in the afternoon and ends at night. Last year I lived out another ‘bucket list’ item and was able to race in the Indy 500. I’m looking forward to driving this NextGen car at Charlotte and putting on a great show for Club Wyndham®.”
Johnson competed in the Daytona 500, finishing 31st. He’s previously announced that he will compete in the street race July 2 in Chicago.
Johnson is expected to announce the rest of his Cup schedule at a later date. He will drive NASCAR’s Garage 56 entry at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.
In honor of the Johnson, COTA is offering a special $84 ticket offer for reserved seats in the Turn 12 grandstand through March 19. Fans can purchase the Jimmie Johnson ticket at www.NASCARatCOTA.com.
