While Jimmie Johnson has previously stated that he will be retiring at the end of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season, he is not sure about the plan for now.
He announced back in November 2019 about his imminent retirement in 2020. However, with the regular schedule disrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic, Jimmie Johnson could be retiring later than expected.
Speaking to For The Win by phone, the 44-year-old driver said:
I don’t know. I wouldn’t know yet.
Honestly, I feel like Mr. Hendrick doesn’t want to see me step away yet, Ally is signed up through 2023 — there are all these things that are there that I think would give me the opportunity to do it.
But I haven’t had any of those discussions. I think the opportunity could be there for me. We’ll just have to see how things unfold.
For now, Johnson has been taking part in the eNASCAR Pro Invitational Series. Last weekend, after taking part in a virtual IndyCar event, he reiterated his desire to do a NASCAR-IndyCar double in the future. Furthermore, he has also hired a tutor to help him improve in the virtual racing events. The NASCAR season is scheduled to continue at Martinsville Speedway on May 9.
While Johnson has been taking part in the iRacing events, and as he can participate in these events staying at home, the driver has experience of what life after retirement could be like.
There are a ton of benefits and quality time with my family,” Johnson said. “That’s something that I’ve been really longing for and, honestly, something that’s led to making 2020 my final full-time year. So in that aspect, I’m having so much quality time with [my wife] Chani and the girls, so that part has been the silver lining.