Seven-time NASCAR champion and recent IndyCar racer Jimmie Johnson said Monday that he plans to retire from racing full-time.
In an episode of his docuseries, “Reinventing the Wheel,” Johnson said that he still planned to race, “but from a full-time standpoint and what’s required and the energy, effort, time away from home ... all the commitments required to be your best for a full time season — I’m just not there right now.”
“I feel like 2022 checked so many boxes for me, and I had such an incredible time that I’m going to take a deep breath and think hard about what (2023) might look like,” he said. “I really do anticipate racing somewhere next year.”
The 47-year-old emphasized that his decision did not amount to a “goodbye.” In social media posts, he said he plans to continue to “look for new ways to challenge myself and participate in bucket list events.”
“I’ve got a blank sheet of paper, and we can now see what opportunities exist and start making a calendar,” he told The Associated Press.
Johnson is the only NASCAR driver to win five consecutive championships, which he claimed from 2006 to 2010. He retired from full-time NASCAR racing in 2020 following a nearly 20-year career.
He ran his first full-time IndyCar season this year with Chip Ganassi Racing.
In a statement, team owner Chip Ganassi said he fully supported Johnson’s decision.
”He has been a valued member of our team and if we can find a way to continue working together we would like to do so,” he said.
Johnson finished an IndyCar-best fifth at the Iowa Speedway in July.
Through the years Jimmie Johnson during the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images) (Tom Hauck/Getty Images)
Through the years HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 22: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship after finishing in fifth place in the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 22, 2009 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson becomes the first driver in the history of NASCAR to win four consecutive championships since the sports inception in 1949.during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 22, 2009 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Through the years HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 21: NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, poses with the Sprint Cup Series Championship trophies at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 21, 2010 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson clinched his fifth straight Sprint Cup series championship after finishing second in the Ford 400. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR) (Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 07: U.S. President Barack Obama (3rd L) poses for a group picture with NASCAR drivers (L-R) Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth, and Kurt Busch during an East Room event September 7, 2011 at the White House in Washington, DC. Obama hosted the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson to honor his win. Johnson is the only driver in the NASCAR history to win in five consecutive years. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Through the years HAMPTON, GA - SEPTEMBER 02: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet, waves to the fans during driver introductions during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on September 2, 2012 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images for NASCAR) (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Through the years FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 04: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 4, 2012 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) (Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Through the years FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 04: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, celebrates with the checkered flag in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 4, 2012 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR) (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Through the years DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 24: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 24, 2013 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Through the years DOVER, DE - MAY 31: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Pro Services Chevrolet, is cheered by his team while celebrating with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series FedEx 400 Benefiting Autism Speaks at Dover International Speedway on May 31, 2015 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) (Nick Laham/Getty Images)
Through the years JOLIET, IL - SEPTEMBER 18: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, looks on from his hauler during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series myAFibRisk.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on September 18, 2015 in Joliet, Illinois. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Through the years FONTANA, CA - MARCH 20: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's / Superman Chevrolet, dives into his crew members in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 20, 2016 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) (Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Through the years CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 09: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 9, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) (Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Through the years HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 20: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson wins a record-tying 7th NASCAR title. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) (Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
Through the years HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 20: (EDITORS NOTE: Retransmission with alternate crop.) Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, celebrates with his team in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson wins a record-tying 7th NASCAR title. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) (Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
Through the years HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 20: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson wins a record-tying 7th NASCAR title. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images) (Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
Through the years HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 20: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, poses in Victory Lane with his wife Chandra and daughters Genevieve Marie and Lydia Norriss after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson wins a record-tying 7th NASCAR title. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images) (Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
Through the years BRISTOL, TN - APRIL 24: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, celebrates with the checkered flag after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 24, 2017 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) (Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Through the years DOVER, DE - JUNE 04: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series AAA 400 Drive for Autism at Dover International Speedway on June 4, 2017 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Through the years BRISTOL, TN - AUGUST 17: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's for Pros Chevrolet, sits in his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 17, 2018 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) (Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)
Through the years SPARTA, KENTUCKY - JULY 12: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, stands in front of a street sign renamed "Jimmie Johnson Blvd." in his honor during a ceremony prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Presented by Walmart at Kentucky Speedway on July 12, 2020 in Sparta, Kentucky. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Through the years DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, poses with a painting of the #48 car presented to him prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 29, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Through the years FORT WORTH, TEXAS - OCTOBER 25: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Ally designed by Noah Sweet Chevrolet, poses in front of the Texas Motor Speedway gate entering victory lane, renamed in his honor prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on October 25, 2020 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Through the years AVONDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 08: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, waves to fans as he is driven on the track during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Season Finale 500 at Phoenix Raceway on November 08, 2020 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) (Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Through the years INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - AUGUST 14: Jimmie Johnson of the United States, driver of the #48 Carvana Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, holds his daughter, Lydia Norriss on the grid prior to the NTT IndyCar Series Big Machine Spiked Coolers Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on August 14, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Through the years FORT WORTH, TEXAS - MARCH 19: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Carvana Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, looks on during practice for the NTT IndyCar Series XPEL 375 at Texas Motor Speedway on March 19, 2022 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) (James Gilbert/Getty Images)