Jimmie Johnson takes on the Race of Champions in Sweden
The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion brings his talents to Sweden. Jimmie Johnson will represent Team USA during the 2022 Race of Champions while joining motocross legend Travis Pastrana.
Johnson posted a special video on Twitter on Wednesday, November 17, confirming his upcoming trip. He showed highlights from his NASCAR career, as well as photos from his novice season IndyCar, before showing two custom-built cars on snow and ice.
ROC “Snow + Ice” World Final will take place in Pite Havsbad, Sweden. Johnson and Pastrana will tackle “the fastest, widest course” on the frozen Baltic Sea 60 miles south of the Arctic Circle.
“Drivers come to ROC because it offers a special experience and innovative challenges that they would not find during their normal racing seasons,” says ROC chairman Fredrik Johnsson in a statement. “ROC has had a good run in big arenas all over the world, but it will be really good to get back to natural terrain.”
Johnson and Pastrana will face a stacked field of drivers. The list includes 10-time Formula 1 winner Valtteri Bottas, two-time Formula 1 champion Mika Hakkinen, nine-time rallycross champion Sebastien Loeb and three-time world rallycross champion Johan Kristoffersson among others.
Johnson previously won the Race of Champions
The upcoming trip to Sweden will not be the first time that Johnson shows off his knowledge at the Race of Champions. He previously teamed up with Hendrick Motorsport’s teammate Jeff Gordon back in 2002.
The two champions went to Gran Canaria, Spain, and shocked the world. They defeated Team Spain to take the ROC Nations Cup, while opening up future opportunities for more American competitors.
Kurt Busch and Kyle Busch are two of the drivers who took advantage. They competed in the 28th Race of Champions, and finished second behind Team Germany 2017. Another American competitor who took on the ROC was IndyCar driver Ryan Hunter-Reay,
“Gran Canaria was dirt, and I do not think the other guys knew how much dirtracing Jeff and I had in our background,” Johnson said in a statement. according to the Race of Champions website. “I do not think that many expected me to run well or even knew who I was for that matter. Winning the ROC Nation’s Cup was something completely unique. The only event where I represented my country.
“I’ve been able to accomplish a lot in my career, but it’s the only experience I’ve had that way. I’m really looking forward to returning to ROC and competing with Travis [Pastrana]. He is a huge talent and we have so much fun competing together. Hopefully we can have some fun and success on snow and ice.
Race of Champions will feature the electric FC1-X Supercar
When the competitors land in Sweden for ROC, they get the opportunity to test a different style of race car. The event will feature equipment powered by electric and 100% fossil-free biofuel engines. The list of advertised cars includes 1000 horsepower FC1-X Supercar, FIA RX2e electric Rallycross car and Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport.
Pastrana has fought for FC1-X during the 2021 Nitro Rallycross season. He has exhibited the supercar and explained how it will be played during the 2022 season, as well as at the Race of Champions.
“This is the next generation vehicle,” Pastrana said during round 3 of the Nitro Rallycross season, according to the series’ Twitter account. “It is electric, it is fast, it is durable. It will be the future of Nitro Rallycross, and it will be presented by all the best drivers in the world at the Race of Champions.”
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