DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — As retirements go, Jimmie Johnson's hiatus from NASCAR could best be compared to the dating rationalization, "We were on a break."
True, in the two years after Johnson said goodbye to full-time racing on the stock-car circuit, he cheated on the sport that made him famous by running Indy and IMSA cars. He ran in the Indianapolis 500 and finished no better than 19th in two tries. This year, he even plans to drive in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
But now, Johnson has doubled down on his return to NASCAR, not only running a part-time schedule but also being part-owner of a team started by the legendary Richard Petty. Johnson's first start is Sunday in the Daytona 500.
