In a series of satellite television interviews and radio reports from a small town in Indiana, there was a press conference that magnetically drew reporters to him. All that remains is Saturday's traditional public drivers' meeting and "500 Parade" through downtown Indianapolis before Johnson climbs into his No. 48 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to make his Indianapolis 500 debut: the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion is now an Indy 500 rookie. Jimmie Johnson brings champion confidence to Indy 500 debut.

SPEEDWAY, Indy— From a series of satellite television interviews and radio reports from a small town in Indiana to a press conference that seemed to magnetically draw the entire room of reporters to him, Jimmie Johnson scoured the media at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Thursday with that same smile and relaxed air that characterized his storied NASCAR career.

All that remains is Saturday's traditional public drivers' meeting and "500 Parade" through downtown Indianapolis before Johnson climbs into his No. 48 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to make his Indianapolis 500 debut: the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion is now an Indy 500 rookie.
Yet he is that rare rookie who many say is a legitimate Indy 500 race favorite, a designation he has proudly embraced and also fulfilled countless times in his legendary NASCAR career from 2002 to 2019.

"I think he has a genuine chance to win because he has a lot of experience on ovals and long races," said two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Juan Pablo Montoya, who also raced Johnson in the NASCAR Cup Series.

"He knows how to go through the thick and thin of a long career, and other people don't. And he has a nice car. Right now, you have to say that the good cars, based on speed, are the Ganassi cars, and he is one of them."

"I know Jimmie, and I'm sure he'll be there [at the end]."
For NASCAR fans, from those who celebrated his 83 wins to those who complained that he won too much, the presence of the 46-year-old Johnson and the high expectations he earned this month have made his high-profile attempt at Indy a significant historic moment in the game.

Many of his former NASCAR teammates and competitors say they will watch the Indy 500 a little more closely, even as they prepare to cap off Memorial Day race weekend with the famed Coca-Cola 600 from NASCAR at Charlotte Motor Speedway (6 p.m. ET, FOX, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
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"In addition to being extraordinarily talented, Jimmie is very adaptable," said Johnson's NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick. "I have always said it's like having a computer behind the wheel. He analyzes everything. It's a constant process of learning and adjustment until he clicks, and you can't beat him suddenly.
"We've seen Jimmie do it time and time again, and I believe that focus combined with a champion's mentality is why he will be successful at anything he sets his mind to.

"Transition NASCAR to IndyCar has proven to be a monument challenging for the great drivers in the world, but Jimmie has a different structure than most. He certainly has nothing to prove, but I think he will open many eyes. And I can't wait to see him do it."