Jimmie Johnson: "I heard about Le Mans for the first time from hearing my family talk about it. I remember my father showed me photos of drivers running across the track to their cars and thought, what’s that (smiles, Ed.)? I have always had a great interest in sports car racing and by the idea of coming to Le Mans​." When Johnson was born on 17 September 1975, drivers hadn't been sprinting to their cars in the start for six years. He was barely nine months old when two NASCARs participated in the race on 12-13 June 1976 in honour of the two hundredth anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence.

Forty-seven years later, for the Centenary, Johnson is a member of the team occupying Garage 56 with a NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. He is a major star of the series, with seven titles and 83 wins to his credit. "I have the chance to be here with my NASCAR family and so many familiar faces. There is a lot of pressure because we have to showcase the professionalism of a NASCAR team. For example, a request from the ACO was to maintain the NASCAR-style operation for the pit stops, and we finished 5th overall in the Pit Stop Challenge last Tuesday."

Fun and performance 

All eyes have been on the #24 Chevrolet Camaro Johnson shares with 2010 24 Hours winner Mike Rockenfeller and former F1 world champion Jenson Button. "Our project is about fun, but also about performance. We added weight to the car as well as adjusted the aerodynamics and brakes. The car is performing very well, it is consistent and even beyond our expectations, so everything is going well."

With times placing the car between the LMP2 and LMGTE Am fields, the Camaro LZ1 has apparently adapted remarkably to the demanding aspects of the 13.626 km circuit. When asked about his favourite section, the seven-time NASCAR champion took a moment to decide and gave a surprising answer: "From a spectator's point of view, the section between the Ford Chicane and the Pit Straight is a stunning experience, especially at night with the illuminated Ferris wheel." 

Johnson has been astonished to learn of the popularity of NASCAR in Europe: "The recognition of NASCAR by the European fans has been a big surprise for me. I've felt a great deal of support from a lot of people."

Having reached the highest level of the NASCAR Cup Series as a joint title-holder with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, and ranking sixth in the hierarchy of wins, Johnson continues to seek additional challenges after ending his full-time involvement in NASCAR at the end of 2020. Having competed in IndyCar and the IMSA in 2021 and 2022, and now the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year, what's next? "More Le Mans!"  

PHOTOS (Copyright - ACO/Archives): LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), 2023 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES. Race Week spectators have been able to get glimpses of Jimmie Johnson and his Chevrolet Camaro LZ1 both in the Le Mans city centre and at the 24 Hours circuit.