CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson will characterize the US within the upcoming worldwide Race of Champions, an occasion he gained with Jeff Gordon in 2002.

Johnson will compete within the occasion scheduled Feb. 4-6 in Pite Havsbad, Sweden for the “Champion of Champions” title within the particular person ROC competitors. He additionally will workforce with Travis Pastrana, the reigning American Rally Affiliation Champion, for Staff USA within the ROC Nations Cup.

The ROC “Snow + Ice” World Last will likely be held on the frozen Baltic Sea, 60 miles south of the Arctic Circle.

“The quick days, the brutal chilly and the altering situations will make Sweden very well fitted to all-round abilities like Jimmie,” ROC president Fredrik Johnsson stated. “He doesn’t have a lot expertise with four-wheel drive, however he’s very expert off-road and at excessive speeds, so I am positive he’ll regulate in a short time identical to he did in 2002.”

Among the many drivers already confirmed to compete are System One star Valtteri Bottas, nine-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, reigning FIA World Rallycross champion Johan Kristoffersson and nine-time World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb. Additionally confirmed are former F1 champion Mika Hakkinen and three-time ROC world last winner Mattias Ekström.

Johnson teamed with Gordon and MotoGP star Colin Edwards in 2002 to win the ROC Nations Cup title for Staff USA in Gran Canaria, Spain. It was Staff USA’s final title within the worldwide occasion wherein high racers from all over the world face off in a winner-take-all competitors.

It was thought-about an upset victory as Johnson and Gordon grew to become the primary NASCAR drivers to win the ROC Nations Cup. They beat defending champion Staff Spain and the win opened ROC Nations Cup to extra American participation.

“Gran Canaria was dust and I do not assume the opposite guys knew how a lot dust racing Jeff and I had in our backgrounds,” Johnson stated. “I do not assume many anticipated me to run effectively and even knew who I used to be, for that matter.

“To win the ROC Nations Cup was one thing actually distinctive. The one occasion the place I represented my nation. I have been capable of accomplish so much in my profession, however that is the one expertise I’ve had like that.”

Johnson gained 83 profession Cup races and a record-tying seven championships in NASCAR earlier than retiring on the finish of the 2020 season. Now 46, Johnson this yr accomplished his rookie season within the IndyCar Sequence.

Because the 2002 win for Staff USA, brothers Kurt and Kyle Busch have competed in ROC Nations Cup, in addition to IndyCar champions Ryan Hunter-Reay and Josef Newgarden.

ROC pits racers from varied motorsports disciplines in head-to-head heats till the final driver remaining is topped the “Champion of Champions.” The final of the two-driver groups claims the ROC Nations Cup and title because the “World’s quickest Nation.”

The Nations Cup was dominated from 2007-2012 by System One superstars Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel representing Germany. The duo is probably the most profitable workforce in ROC Nations Cup historical past.

“I am actually wanting ahead to returning to ROC and competing with Travis,” Johnson stated. “He is an incredible expertise and we have now such enjoyable competing collectively. Hopefully we will go have some enjoyable and success on the snow and ice.”