New livery among new experience as Johnson hits Mid-Ohio for the first time

Jimmie Johnson, The American Legion and Carvana have joined together to make the July 4 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio even more of a “Red, White and Blue” Independence Day Celebration.

Johnson’s No. 48 Carvana/The American Legion Honda will feature a patriotic wrapping, including patches from American Legion members and Carvana CarVets members, honoring their service. More than 100 U.S. military veterans will be honored by Johnson, Carvana and The American Legion, with veterans from both organizations having submitted patches that are featured on Johnson’s Indy car.

Carvana is dedicated to hiring and supporting veterans as they transition back into civilian life. The leading online auto retailer has numerous positions available at its various locations near Cleveland and Columbus facilities. Those opportunities include Customer Advocates, transport drivers and automotive technicians,

Carvana is looking for the many talents that veterans bring to the workplace, including their training in leadership, teamwork, performance under pressure, and maintaining the highest standards of integrity. 

“Carvana (has teamed) with The American Legion, and we have a great collaboration what is going on and the car for Mid-Ohio will be really, really cool with a matte black finish,” Johnson explained.

The American Legion will also be honored throughout the race weekend as Dan Dellinger has been named as Grand Marshal. Dellinger is past national commander of The American Legion and has served in many capacities throughout his career to include Virginia department commander, National Membership Committee chairman, National Legislative Council Committee chairman, National Economics Commission chairman and chairman of the National Security Commission. In 2011, President Obama appointed Dellinger to a federal taskforce on Small Business Administration hiring. 

Dellinger owned his own construction management and general contracting company for over 21 years, working with owners and architects building commercial buildings in the Washington, D.C., area. Dellinger grew up in Vienna, Va., graduating from James Madison High School, and holds a bachelor of arts degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Dan served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam as a company commander. He continued to serve in the reserves, where he earned the rank of captain. 

On the track, Johnson realizes he doesn’t know much about the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, but his team certainly has discovered the keys to success at the road course.

The American Legion driver is part of the most successful team in INDYCAR history at the 2.258-mile, 13-turn Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. CGR teammate Scott Dixon is the winningest driver in the history of the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, with six wins in 15 starts, most recently driving to victory lane in this contest in 2019.

Chip Ganassi Racing’s cars and drivers have won the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio a record nine times, including Juan Pablo Montoya’s CART victory in 1999.

Montoya, Dixon, Dario Franchitti and Charlie Kimball have all driven Ganassi’s cars to victory at Mid-Ohio. Johnson believes he has some tremendous resources to help him get up to speed in his first race at the famed road racing facility.

“I’ve never been to it, so I will be starting all over at Square One again,” Johnson said. “I’ve done a lot of iRacing at Mid-Ohio and will do the Honda simulator on Thursday. Some sim replication has been very close; others have not, so I won’t really know until I get in that first practice on Friday.

“The team has been so supportive, and Chip has created such an amazing race team, I will lean on all the resources we have to get on pace at Mid-Ohio right away.

“It looks really cool on TV. I’m really excited at showing up. I have a great couple of weeks here. I was at Watkins Glen for the six hours in the DPI car with Action Performance Racing and then the July 4 race at Mid-Ohio.”

Since Johnson “retired” as a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver after an outstanding career that included a record-tying seven championships, the driver from El Cajon, Calif., is getting to compete in a variety of racing machines.

That transition has been a challenge, but Johnson – just like The American Legion – is always up for a challenge.

“It’s an honor to be in the series and call myself a rookie with the stellar group that we have,” Johnson said.

Qualifications for the Honda Indy 200 will be shown on NBC Sports beginning at noon ET on July 3. The race will be broadcast July 4 beginning at noon ET.