Jimmie Johnson Gets Candid About How Transitioning From NASCAR to IndyCar Is “Easier Said Than Done”

Driver Jimmie Johnson speaks during a press conference following the NASCAR Cup series practice at Circuit of the Americas Friday, March 24, 2023.

NASCAR and the IndyCar Series are the two eyes of motorsports in America. Drivers often transition from one to the other in the hopes of cementing their legacy further in racing history. One legend who went down that route is the seven-time Cup Series champion, Jimmie Johnson. He spoke about this changeover in a recent conversation with former IndyCar Series driver Paul Tracy.

Stock car racing and open-wheel racing have an ocean of differences between them. Adapting between them is one hell of a job, as Kyle Larson’s difficulties with completing the Double on Memorial Day Weekend proved. Johnson and Tracy discussed the same in extensive detail, the former being an individual with a bunch of experience in both disciplines.

The NASCAR icon raced in the IndyCar Series in 2021 and 2022, after retiring from his Cup Series career. He said, “I had two amazing years and a lot of fun. But one thing that was really tough for me to grasp and part of that unlearning, I had to unwind and then relearn… is that in IndyCar, as you start getting close to pace, the car starts moving around a little bit.”

“In a stock car, when it moves around, you’re at the threshold of the mechanical grip that’s available because it’s more mechanical grip than aero grip. So, you back up a step. In an Indy Car, you’re just getting into the bottom side of the performance window. When it moves around, you’ve got to commit more, and there’s more if you’re going faster.”

“So, to almost bust your ass and like, ‘Oh, okay. I just got to go faster and it’s going to fix that.’ It is so much easier said than done. Then to commit your hands and feet to do that. I mean, damn, it just takes time.” It was despite these difficulties that Johnson was 26th in rank during the 2021 season and 21st in the 2022 season.
Tracy continued to delve into his own experience driving a stock car and pointed out that the car was big and soft, with the sidewall not as stiff as in IndyCar. Larson faced quite some criticism for his inability to be successful in his Double attempt. But explanations like these from the greatest drivers of the sport reflect just how difficult the challenge he took on was.
There are plenty of other drivers who dare to dream beyond their comfort zones. Their desire to learn and win at something new ought to be commended regardless of their level of success.
Post Edited By: Srijan Mandal
Jimmie Johnson Paul Tracy

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Gowtham Ramalingam

Gowtham is a NASCAR journalist at The SportsRush. Though his affinity for racing stems from Formula 1, he found himself drawn to NASCAR's unparalleled excitement over the years. As a result he has shared his insights and observations by authoring over 3000 articles on the sport. An avid fiction writer, you can find him lost in imaginary worlds when he is not immersed in racing. He hopes to continue savoring the thrill of every lap and race together with his readers for as long as he can.

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