Jimmie Johnson has signed a deal to compete in the 2021 Indianapolis 500

Jimmie Johnson, a rookie IndyCar driver, has landed a deal to be a part of the 2021 Indianapolis 500, though he will not be competing.

Since switching from NASCAR Cup Series racing to open-wheel racing after 19 seasons, 83 victories, and a record-tying seven titles in stock car racing, Jimmie Johnson has competed in two IndyCar races.

Tony Kanaan competed in the Texas Motor Speedway doubleheader this past weekend, since Johnson’s Chip Ganassi Racing deal only covers the 13 road and street course races on the schedule, while Kanaan’s covers the four oval races.

Despite having no prior commitment to the Indianapolis 500, Johnson has finally secured a deal to compete in the event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway later this month.

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But he won’t be driving the #48 Honda; the oval races will be handled by Kanaan.

The 45-year-old El Cajon, California native is set to work with NBC Sports on the race’s live broadcast, joining Mike Tirico and Danica Patrick for the network’s studio coverage of the event. He will make his third career IndyCar start in the GMR Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on Saturday, May 15.

This year’s edition of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” will be Tirico and Patrick’s third in a row in the booth, but Johnson’s first, further confirming his status as a “rookie” IndyCar driver in 2021.

I was pumped to just attend the #Indy500 this year and now I’m working it! Thanks for the opportunity @NBCSports. pic.twitter.com/ZbvJepZTb7

— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) May 4, 2021

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Johnson will be an analyst at the Peacock Pit Box throughout qualifying and the race, alongside Steve Letarte, who will also be making his Indy 500 on-air debut.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., who made his Indy 500 on-air debut in 2019 but was missing last year, is expected to return and be a part of the pre-race program, which will be hosted by Jac Collinsworth and will feature Rutledge Wood’s reports from around the track.

The traditional commentators, Leigh Diffey, Townsend Bell, and Paul Tracy, will continue to call the race, while pit reporters Marty Snider, Kelli Stavast, and Kevin Lee will be on hand.

Johnson has stated that he may still compete in the Indy 500 in the future, though it is unlikely to happen in 2022 due to the fact that both he and Kanaan signed multi-year contracts with Chip Ganassi Racing to fulfill their respective duties.

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