Jimmie Johnson has withdrawn from the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series event on the streets of Chicago this weekend following the death of three family members.
Police in Muskogee, Oklahoma are investigating the shooting deaths of Terry, Jack, and Dalton Janway in what has been reported as a murder suicide. Terry and Jack are the parents of Johnson’s wife, Chandra, while Dalton is their 11-year-old grandson and Chandra’s nephew.
Chicago was scheduled to be the fourth race of a partial schedule for Johnson in the No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Chevrolet he co-owns with Maury Gallagher and Richard Petty. Johnson previously competed in the Daytona 500, Circuit of the Americas and the Coca-Cola 600 alongside full-time drivers Erik Jones and Noah Gragson.
“The Johnson family has asked for privacy at this time and no further statements will be made,” Legacy Motor Club said in a statement.
NASCAR also released a statement on Tuesday:
“We are saddened by the tragic deaths of members of Chandra Johnson’s family. The entire NASCAR family extends its deepest support and condolences during this difficult time to Chandra, Jimmie and the entire Johnson and Janway families.”
FOX23 in Muskogee reported that police responded to the family home around 9 p.m. on Monday night after receiving a 911 call about someone with a gun. When police arrived, they found a body at the front door and heard additional gunshots inside the house.
The report stated that Terry Janway made the initial 911 call. TMZ Sports reported that police said Terry Janway was a suspect in the shooting. Jack Janway worked as a chiropractor in Muskogee.
In an interview with Fox23, Muskogee mayor Marlon Coleman said “it was traumatizing to find out that a long-standing family who had made so many contributions to our community were involved in this type of incident. It was even more bone-chilling to find out there was a child involved. Dr. Janway has worked on me. We’ve been acquaintances for a very, very long time since I’ve been in Muskogee. Just knowing that it was him and his family took a different toll on me.”
Johnson raced full-time in the Cup Series from 2002-20, earning 83 victories and seven championships while driving the No. 48 for Hendrick Motorsports. He competed in the IMSA sports car championship and NTT IndyCar Series from 2021-22 but returned to the Cup Series this season as a driver-owner.
Hendrick Motorsports released the following statement:
“Our family and entire team are all grieving with Chani, Jimmie and their loved ones. This is a truly unthinkable tragedy, and our hearts are broken for them. I’ve been in touch with Jimmie and offered our love, support and the full resources of our organization in whatever capacity they need.”
Legacy Motor Club will move from Chevrolet to Toyota next season. Toyota Racing Development president David Wilson offered the following statement:
“Our hearts are breaking for Jimmie, Chandra, Genevieve and Lydia as a result of yesterday’s tragic events. The thoughts of everyone at Toyota and TRD are with Jimmie and his entire family as they navigate this incredible loss.”
Matt Weaver is a Motorsports Insider for Sportsnaut. Follow him on Twitter.