By Jerry Jordan, Editor
Following tragic news involving his wife’s parents, seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson has decided to withdraw from the race this weekend at the Chicago Street Course.
Legacy Motor Club has elected to withdraw the No. 84 Carvana Chevrolet from this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series event in Chicago,” states a release from the team. “The Johnson family has asked for privacy and no further statements will be made.”
According to the Muskogee Oklahoma Police Department, 911 dispatchers received a call Monday evening from a female caller in reference to a disturbance and a person with a gun.
“When officers arrived on the scene, they saw a subject laying in the hallway inside the front door,” states the release from the department. “Officers also heard a gunshot from further inside the house. Muskogee police conducted a rescue inside the residence for the subject laying in the hallway and made announcements for possible other occupants to come outside. After more officers arrived on the scene, a search of the residence was conducted. Two other subjects were found deceased inside the residence.”
The home is the residence of Muskogee chiropractor Jack Janway (69) and his wife, Terry (68). Their 11-year-old grandson was also one of the three people found deceased. The Janway’s are the parents of Chandra Janway Johnson, who married Johnson in 2004.
Police stated the investigation is ongoing and they do not have a motive at this time. The incident is currently being investigated as a murder/suicide.
Shortly after Legacy made the announcement that Johnson would not be racing in Chicago, NASCAR released the following statement, “We are saddened by the tragic deaths of members of Chandra Johnson’s family. The entire NASCAR family extends its deepest support and condolences during this difficult time to Chandra, Jimmie and the entire Johnson & Janway families.”