Mar 24, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; NASCAR Cup driver Jimmie Johnson practices for the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas. Credit: Michael C. Johnson

AUSTIN, Texas — Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson will scratch off one of his “bucket-list” items when he competes Sunday in the NASCAR Cup Series’ EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas.

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #84 Club Wyndham Chevrolet, and Ross Chastain, driver of the #1 Worldwide Express Chevrolet, drive during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on March 24, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)

Johnson will drive the No. 84 Club Windham Chevrolet when NASCAR waves the green flag to start the race at 2:30 p.m. It will be his second start of a 10-race part-time 2023 schedule this season.

“COTA has been on my racing ‘bucket list’ for a very long time,” Johnson said. “But my timing was off by a year or so. I was hoping it was going to be on the INDYCAR schedule — and it wasn’t — and then they added it to the NASCAR schedule after I left. I’m excited to finally be able to check this one off the list and thankful to Club Wyndham for making it happen. From everything I’ve heard, NASCAR drivers have had a lot of fun racing at COTA, so to say I’m looking forward to it is an understatement.”

Johnson officially retired from full-time NASCAR Cup Series racing at the end of the 2020 race season. During his career he amassed 83 NASCAR Cup Series wins.

“I’m really excited for this weekend,” Johnson said. “I’ve personally always wanted to race at this track. To have an opportunity to come back and compete on this track, it’s so technical and really a lot of fun to drive around here.”

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #84 Club Wyndham Chevrolet, looks on in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on March 24, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Johnson has 40 career starts on road courses. He has one win (Sonoma, 2010), nine top fives and 20 top 10s. His most recent NASCAR Cup Series start on a road course was on Oct. 11, 2020, at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval; where he finished 13th after starting 30th.

The 47-year old driver made his return to the series in the season opening DAYTONA 500, where he started 39th and finished 31st. On Sunday at COTA he will start 31st on the grid after posting a qualifying lap clocked at 132.938, 92.344 mph.

“Thankful we ended up with a few more laps of practice this weekend with rule changes to the car that led to a practice session today that we’re taking advantage of. I had a great time out there. I’m trying to figure the car out. It has a lot less grip than I remember a Cup car having and certainly a lot less grip than what I’ve been driving over the last two years. Trying to dial that all in and also understanding what this car might respond to from an adjustment standpoint. So there’s still a ton of learning going on but a great experience today and excited about this weekend.”

In addition to the race at COTA, Johnson also plans to race at the Grant Park 220 Chicago street course race on July 2.

“I will go to the Chicago race,” Johnson said. “I want to be a part of that. In the last two seasons racing in IndyCar and racing on so many street circuits… I grew up around a street race in Long Beach as a kid and just loved that energy and environment and what street racing’s all about. I want to be a part of that this year. Honestly looking at the Chicago race.”