Johnson changing lanes at Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS, Might 26 (Reuters) – For a very long time motor racers caught to their lanes, however more and more drivers like Jimmie Johnson are heading in new instructions looking for racing thrills.

A seven-time NASCAR Cup champion, Johnson put down a well-beaten path to the inventory automotive collection winner’s circle, however on Sunday he’ll tackle the Brickyard’s infamous oval for the primary time in a bid to hitch AJ Foyt and Mario Andretti as the one drivers to win each the Indy and Daytona 500s.

The pull of recent adventures can deliver goal to achieved drivers just like the 46-year-old Johnson who just isn’t viewing the Indy 500 as a one-off however a launch pad to a second profession.

“I am loving this expertise, loving IndyCar,” mentioned Johnson, who certified twelfth for Sunday’s 106th Indy 500. “I might stick round so long as I might.

“I do not know what that quantity could be, I hope this is not my one and solely Indianapolis 500 begin, I hope this is not my one and solely full-time season within the IndyCar Sequence both.

“I do not know what that appears like however I’m going to do all the things in my energy to be doing this for years to come back.”

The soar from Formulation One to IndyCar just isn’t an excellent leap. Many drivers from Mario Andretti to Jacques Villeneuve and Romain Grosjean have made the transfer.

There are different avenues open to an increasing number of drivers, with many dabbling in sportscars, some interested in rallying and some intrigued by NASCAR.

Former Formulation One world champion Kimi Raikkonen is simply the most recent, saying on Thursday he’ll make his return to racing in August within the NASCAR Cup Sequence at Watkins Glen.

For just a few drivers a change is a chance to make historical past.

Formulation One double-world champion Fernando Alonso famously left the glamour circuit in pursuit of motor racing’s triple crown of victories on the Monaco Grand Prix, Le Mans 24 Hours and the Indianapolis 500.

The Spaniard received Monaco (twice) and Le Mans however failed twice at his bid for the Indy 500 earlier than returning to Formulation One with French outfit Alpine

Apart from aiming to turn into simply the third driver to win the Daytona and Indy 500s, Johnson can also be flirting with the thought of one other uncommon motor racing double – working each the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Coca Cola 600 that are held the identical day.

“It is at all times been an curiosity of mine,” admitted Johnson. “I haven’t got something in movement however simply admired it from afar over time watching John Andretti do it as soon as, and Kurt (Busch) do it as soon as and Tony Stewart do it.”

“It is at all times been on my radar, Undecided if it will probably ever occur however definitely could be one thing I’m open to it.”

Reporting by Steve Keating; enhancing by Richard Pullin

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