By Austin Lawton, Staff Writer
Legends are made at Indianapolis and a pair of sports legends will take to the track on the morning of the 109th Indianapolis 500.
Seven-time NASCAR Cup Champion, former IndyCar driver and current co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, Jimmie Johnson will be driving the IndyCar two-seater, with Tom Brady as his passenger. The experience, dubbed ‘G.O.A.T. Ride’ will take place during the pace laps as the two legends will be in front of the pace car, leading the field to the green flag.
Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl Champion, is currently the lead FOX NFL analyst and will join FOX colleagues such as Michael Strahan and Rob Gronkowski at the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
Brady and Johnson share a similar accolade, even though they are in two different sports and disciplines. Both have been named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year with Johnson being the only race car driver to claim the award in 2009. Brady was awarded the honor in 2007.
Johnson is not a stranger to IndyCar as he made 29 starts over the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The 2022 season was Johnson’s best year, and only full time season. Johnson finished 21st in the points that year, adding three Top 10s and one Top Five finish, including a start in the 2022 “500”. Johnson relishes coming back to Indianapolis and share the experience with Brady.
“I love the Indy 500,” Johnson said. “There is an energy and excitement around the ‘500’ that is unlike anything I have experienced before. Certainly, pre-race ceremonies are the ultimate racing experience that I’ve had outside of the car. I’m thrilled to be a part of the program and to see the stands full one more time. I’m extremely honored to come back and do it and to be able to also share this experience with another seven-time champion.”
Johnson will be making his 700th career start in the NASCAR Cup Series at the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte later that night, with his team, Legacy Motor Club in the No.84 Carvana Toyota Camry.