Sunday Afternoon in Alabama, we’re going to see Jimmie Johnson in an IndyCar.
That’s a sentence that most wouldn’t have dared to predict five years ago. Nonetheless, we’ll get our first look at him in racing action at the Grand Prix of Alabama.
Johnson is the headliner of the most experienced rookie class that IndyCar has ever seen.
The seven-time NASCAR champion will be joined by former F1 driver Romain Grosjean for the street & road courses along with three-time V8 Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin – who will be racing the full season.
The class includes the three veterans after a period that’s seen low car counts for IndyCar’s development series in the Indy Lights tour. It will help bridge the gap as those rise again.
Not to mention, the pairings that the drivers will be with this season are as intriguing as they get.
Johnson will pilot the No. 48 car for Chip Ganassi Racing, tackling 13 races of the 17 race schedule. Tony Kanaan will be taking the reigns at the three traditional ovals as well as the Indy 500.
“It’s a monster – that’s the best way I can put it,” Johnson said of driving the cars. “There’s so much power, so much downforce, so much grip. It’s wild to drive.”
Johnson has had a multitude of practice sessions ahead of the season, and also is racing the endurance events with IMSA like the Rolex 24.
At the end of the day, though, Johnson is still a rookie. He hasn’t completed a pass, an out lap, raced in traffic – all things that he will go through for the first time on Sunday.
“I mean, if there’s a rocky day, am I going to be surprised? Probably not,” Team owner Chip Ganassi said. “But I’m certainly — like I said, he has all the talent that you need, and certainly has the race craft and the experience of knowing what to do, when to do it. That’s half the game in motor racing, is what I like to say doing the obvious things right. I’m sure Jimmie has got plenty of practice at that. It doesn’t matter what kind of car you’re in.”
Grosjean will be running in the No. 51 car for Dale Coyne Racing, sharing the entry with Pietro Fitipaldi.
Both drivers were formerly employed with Formula 1’s Haas F1 team, but didn’t contend for points on a regular basis due to the car’s disadvantage.
“What attracts people to INDYCAR is that it’s a top series, top cars, top drivers, and the driver can actually make a difference,” Grosjean said.
McLaughlin is the only driver of the bunch that is scheduled to race the full season.
He’ll take the wheel of a No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet for the team after dominating the V8 Supercars tour over the past three seasons.
His teammates will include the familiar lineup of Josef Newgarden, Will Power, and Simon Pagenaud – all three of which are former series champions.
“There’s a bit of nerves, absolutely,” McLaughlin said ahead of Sunday’s race. “There’s an unknown there, but I said to my wife last night I feel as prepared as I can be right now. The only thing I lack is experience, and that will come.”
The Honda Indy Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park will take place on Sunday afternoon, as part of one of nine races on the schedule televised on NBC. Coverage begins at 2:00 p.m. CT.
