Jimmie Johnson very interested in Le Mans: ‘Hendrick would love for me to be in the car’

FORT WORTH, Texas – Jimmie Johnson has spoken with Rick Hendrick about the proposed “Garage 56” entry at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the seven-time Cup Series champion “definitely” is interested.

Hendrick and NASCAR unveiled plans last Thursday to enter a specially modified Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro in next year’s race at Le Mans. Its approval is expected to be a mere formality, and Hendrick said during a news conference that Johnson was on the list of candidates for the three-driver lineup in the car, which would be built by Hendrick Motorsports and its IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship partner team, Action Express.

“I haven’t talked to Jimmie yet,” Hendrick said at the announcement in Sebring, Florida. “I’m sure he would do it if he didn’t have a conflict.”

Johnson, who was on a family vacation in Mexico last week before finishing a career-best sixth in IndyCar at Texas Motor Speedway, said he got a brief call just after the announcement from Hendrick, who wanted to be sure Johnson saw the news. They made plans to chat at length later about the project, which will be overseen by Hendrick vice president of competition Chad Knaus (the crew chief for Johnson’s seven titles who now handles strategy on his IMSA car).

“I definitely am interested,” Johnson said after NTT IndyCar Series qualifying at Texas. “I haven’t had any serious talks. I knew Action was looking at it. I know there’s interest for me to be in the car. I know Mr. Hendrick would love for me to be in the car, and Chad’s been at the track. So there’s all this synergy that’s existing there, and honestly, that synergy is what kind of led to this opportunity.

“I just need to make sure I’m available, and I want to go there and race. I’ve been working in the