NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson reuniting with crew chief Jason Burdett for select races in 2024
When seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson retired from full-time driving in 2020, his final start for Hendrick Motorsports came at Phoenix Raceway where he finished fifth behind race winner, teammate and season champion Chase Elliott.
It was Johnson’s 686th start and after 20 years, the El Cajon, California, native had amassed 83 wins, 232 top-fives, 374 top-10s and 34 pole positions. Johnson joined the seven-championship club with Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt Jr. as one of only three drivers to reach the elusive mark.
As Johnson stepped away from the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet he helped to make so famous, he did so letting everyone know he wasn’t totally done with his racing career. He announced he had intentions of possibly returning to the Cup Series to enter select events.
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Another venture was on the horizon with team owner Chip Ganassi in the NTT IndyCar circuit where he entered a limited schedule in 2021 and a full series schedule. Johnson had several impressive outings and earned Rookie of the Year honors in the 2022 Indianapolis 500.
In November of 2022, Johnson announced he had bought into Petty GMS Racing alongside owners Maury Gallegher and Richard Petty, stating in a team release, "It's great to be back in NASCAR.”
According to a team statement released on Dec. 12 from the team now known as Legacy Motor Club, Jason Burdett has been signed as crew chief of the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE that Johnson will drive in select Cup Series races in 2014. Burdett brings almost three decades of experience with many top Cup operations.
Jason Burdett's NASCAR history
Burdett began racing at local tracks near Watkins Glen, New York, in his formative years. In 1995, he moved to North Carolina to work at Robert Yates Racing as a tire specialist. Burdett was part of Dale Jarrett’s 1999 Cup Series championship-winning team at RYR. Then in 2001, Burdett moved to Hendrick Motorsports and was part of Jeff Gordon’s 2001 championship team under the direction of crew chief Robbie Loomis.
Johnson and Burdett began working together in 2001, the year Johnson made three starts in the Cup Series. The “24/48” shop at Hendrick Motorsports operated under a “one team” philosophy started by crew chiefs Ray Evernham, Loomis and Chad Knaus. In 2007, Gordon and Johnson together dominated the competition, combining for 18 wins (out of 36) in a single season.
In late 2007, Burdett joined Michael Waltrip Racing, and reunited with Jarrett – but this time as his crew chief. He returned to Hendrick Motorsports in 2008 as the car chief on the No. 24 Chevrolet alongside crew chief Steve Letarte. In 2011 Burdett moved with Letarte to join Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the No. 88 team until 2014. Burdett was also part of Johnson’s championship years in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2013 NASCAR Cup Series championships.
After the 2014 season, Burdett accepted a crew chief position in the Xfinity Series at JR Motorsports (JRM) with driver Regan Smith. He spent nine seasons at JRM – one with Smith, seven seasons with driver Justin Allgaier, and one with Brandon Jones. Through his tenure at JRM, Burdett called 293 races compiling 18 wins, 113 top-five, and 193 top-10 finishes. The 18 victories made Burdett the winningest crew chief in JRM history, leading his team to the “Championship 4” five times.
Burdett has seen quite a bit in both the Cup Series and Xfinity Series garages and brings a great deal of experience to Johnson’s 2024 efforts. They certainly won’t be strangers come time to race next season.
“I have a very long history of working with Jason at Hendrick Motorsports – we spent a lot of time together throughout the years,” Johnson said. “Jason is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met in the sport. He’s solid and he’s created an amazing legacy for himself. I’ve always had a great working relationship with him, and I’m just genuinely excited he has joined the Club.”
Other changes include Evan Bensch serving as lead engineer (moving over from his engineering role on the No. 43 team and driver Erik Jones). Robbie Fairweather is returning for a second season as car chief. John Hunter Nemechek has been named to drive the No. 42 LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota beginning in 2024.
Burdett is ready for the challenge and is very familiar with Johnson, his desires with the race car, and feels the chemistry between them will be strong.
“I’m excited to join Legacy Motor Club and reunite with Jimmie,” Burdett said. “I was part of Jimmie’s team when it all began and witnessed his first win in 2002. I am amazed at the legacy Jimmie has created throughout the years, and I am honored to be a part of continuing that legacy with him.”
Johnson is scheduled to enter Cup Series races in 2024 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 14, Kansas Speedway on May 5 and Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26. More races will be announced at a later date.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: NASCAR Jimmie Johnson Jason Burdett crew chief 2024
