November 4, 2022 | By Lee Spencer

Jimmie Johnson joins Petty GMS as new co-owner and part-time driver

AVONDALE, Ariz.—The combined NASCAR Cup titles among the ownership group at Petty GMS just doubled with the stroke of a pen.

Jimmie Johnson announced on Friday that he will become a co-owner in the venture and run a limited schedule in 2023.

The seven-time Cup champion, who has dabbled in IndyCar during the last two seasons, felt he had unfinished business in the NASCAR garage.

"It’s great to be back in NASCAR,” Johnson said. "When the INDYCAR season ended I started on this journey of what was next. Maury and I connected, this opportunity came to light and it’s the perfect fit for me. Team ownership makes so much sense at this stage of my career and after spending time with Maury and his family, talking with Mike (Beam, president), Dave (Elenz, crew chief of the No. 43) and Joey (Cohen, Director of Competition and Engineering), I realized this was something I wanted to be involved with from both the business perspective and on the competition side.

“If I’m going to commit to something like this, I want to make a difference and have something tangible to show for it when it’s all said and done. So, this opportunity with Petty GMS is all of that and much more.”

Johnson, 47, plans to compete in the 2023 Daytona 500 and various races throughout the year. During his two-decade Cup career he amassed 83 wins, 232 top fives and 374 top 10s in 686 with Hendrick Motorsports. He joins fellow seven-time champ, Richard Petty, as the newest stakeholders with the Maury Gallagher enterprise.

“I couldn’t be happier to have Jimmie Johnson joining Petty GMS,” Gallagher said. “We have been consistent since we began our Cup effort last year in wanting to be up front and have a winning program. No one in the modern era of NASCAR has won more than Jimmie. Having a driver, the caliber of Jimmie, driving our equipment and being able to provide feedback to our crew chiefs and engineers but most importantly, mentoring Erik and Noah will be invaluable. 

“Perhaps most important of all, Jimmie will be a great partner. I know I speak for all the Petty GMS team members, including Richard Petty, in welcoming Jimmie to the team. No one else will be able to say they have two seven-time Cup champions on their team. We are looking to make a strong statement next year and show that we are here to contend for wins and championships. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.”

Petty entered into a partnership with Gallagher to start the season after GMS purchased the Richard Petty Motorsports charter. The company rebranded itself as Petty GMS with drivers Erik Jones and Ty Dillon. It was announced earlier this season that Noah Gragson will take over for Dillon in 2023. The King looks forward to the company’s next chapter.

"What an exciting time for Petty GMS,” Petty said. “This year, we’ve accomplished so much together with Maury and now adding Jimmie will only continue to help us grow. To have Jimmie—another seven-time champion – as a part of the team, and his abilities both on track and off will be special for Petty GMS. I’m looking forward to having him as a part of our team and seeing what we can build together." 

Chase Elliott spent the first six seasons at Hendrick with Johnson. He was surprised at the news but believes the fun factor will be incorporated in anything Johnson takes on.

“It's pretty crazy,” Elliott said.“I never thought he would be part of the ownership side just from knowing him personally. Seems like he's really enjoyed his time away from NASCAR.

“I think he'd be a lot of fun to drive for. Jimmie is a great friend of mine. It's difficult for me to say from that front. I don't necessarily work with him. We were teammates, yes. But, like, I don't work with him day to day. I never really have on business dealings. I would have to imagine he would be a fun guy to drive for. Just being the kind of friend and leader he is, I don't see how any of those things combined could be bad. Yeah, I expect they'll have a lot of fun.”

While “fun” has been integral to Johnson’s career, he hopes to use this new opportunity to give back to the sport.

“I’m fortunate that I had incredible mentors throughout my life, and I’ve always tried to pay that forward,” said Johnson. “My experience and energy will add value to a team with young drivers like Erik and Noah - I feel like I can be a good resource both on and off the track.”