Jimmie Johnson returned to NASCAR on a limited basis in 2023, starting his season at the Daytona 500 before participating in two more events later in the season.
Days before he was set to participate in NASCAR’s Chicago street race, a devastating family tragedy forced Johnson to withdraw. He didn’t race again in 2023, instead spending time with his family.
The 2024 Daytona 500 marks Johnson’s first return to Cup Series competition since the incident, which the 48-year-old has spoken openly about in recent months.
Jimmie Johnson family tragedy
Johnson’s mother-in-law fatally shot her husband and 11-year-old grandson before turning the gun on herself in a murder-suicide in June 2023, according to police.
Terry Janway, 68, and Jack Janway, 69, were the parents of Johnson’s wife, Chandra. Dalton Janway, 11, was the son of one of Chandra’s siblings. The incident occurred in Muskogee, Okla.
Police quickly concluded that Terry perpetrated the killings, and bodycam footage confirmed that officers heard the final gunshot after they arrived to the scene.
The Oklahoman published details from the scene, according to the police report:
Terry Janway called 911 around 9 p.m. Monday, June 26, and reported a disturbance and someone with a gun. When officers arrived, they saw…
