Jimmie Johnson, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, made headlines with his move to the IndyCar Series after retiring from the NASCAR circuit. As he transitioned to this new chapter, Johnson faced not only the challenge of adapting to the world of open-wheel racing, which is very different from what he was used to, but also some personal hurdles. Most notably, the high risks involved in IndyCar racing raised concerns within his family, particularly from his wife, Chandra Johnson.
Johnson amassed an impressive career in NASCAR, sharing his record number of championships with racing legends Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. Starting his professional racing in off-road competitions, Johnson had over 25 wins and six championships before making his mark in NASCAR. His skill was clear as he secured 83 victories between 2002 and 2020. Then, in 2021, Johnson took on a new adventure by entering the IndyCar Series. This move placed him in a series known for intense and sometimes perilous racing conditions, which are especially dangerous on oval tracks.
Chandra, his supportive partner, had to come to terms with his new career path. Witnessing the dangers firsthand, she had a poignant experience at the Texas Motor Speedway when Johnson’s car spun out at high speeds.
“I guess on the opening lap obviously I was in the car and couldn’t see it but some of my friends said she turned around and ran from the grandstands because we went by it like 230 – 240 [mph] on the opening lap and she’s like I can’t watch this and ran,” he said, via the High Performance podcast (below).
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The sight of her husband’s car racing at such high speeds was overwhelming, prompting her to leave the grandstands.
The Texas race wasn’t Chandra’s first brush with the dangers of motorsport. She had already experienced the emotional strain of seeing her husband’s life in danger, like the time when Jimmie had a “pretty good shunt” at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. As Johnson put it, “At Indy I had a pretty good shunt at the end of the race and that’s the speed you’re running there, it is a risk and ultimately, I did my best salesman job ever to convince my wife to let me go IndyCar racing.”
Despite her fears, Chandra ultimately offered her support, as Johnson shared:
“It was a long slow process but she eventually is like, ‘look if this is what you want to do and you’re going to fully commit to it then you have my support.’ I was very smart though and I wouldn’t let her come to any of the oval test sessions. The first time she saw a car go around or me in an Indy car going around was at Texas.”
Johnson’s careful handling of the situation proves the balance he tries to maintain between his racing ambitions and his family’s peace of mind.
But still, it is the emotional side of his career—the impact of high-risk sports on family life—that resonates with many. The support system provided by family members like Chandra is crucial in a sport where split-second decisions can have significant consequences.
Today, Johnson has returned to NASCAR on a limited basis, racing for Legacy Motor Club, which he partly owns.
