Arkport native Jason Burdett will crew chief for Jimmie Johnson, 7-time champion, in 2024

Jason Burdett’s NASCAR journey will take another turn in 2024, one that will reunite the Arkport native with one of the most decorated drivers in the history of stock car racing.

Burdett will serve as Jimmie Johnson’s crew chief in the Cup Series during the 2024 season, Legacy Motor Club announced Tuesday. Johnson, a seven-time Cup Series champion, will drive a partial schedule in the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE with Burdett calling the shots atop the pit box.

The duo previously worked together during Burdett’s tenure with Hendrick Motorsports, when Burdett was climbing the NASCAR ladder while Johnson built one of the sport’s signature resumes.

“I'm excited to join Legacy Motor Club and reunite with Jimmie,” said Burdett. “I was part of Jimmie’s team when it all began and witnessed his first win in 2002. I am amazed at the legacy Jimmie has created throughout the years, and I am honored to be a part of continuing that legacy with him.”

Burdett left Steuben County for North Carolina in 1995 and broke into NASCAR as a tire specialist at Robert Yates Racing, helping Dale Jarrett win the 1999 Cup championship. Burdett moved to Hendrick Motorsports in 2001 when Jeff Gordon took the Cup title.

A long history with Hendrick Motorsports

Burdett worked for Hendrick through 2014, a span that saw Johnson dominate the sport with multiple Cup titles.

“I have a very long history of working with Jason at Hendrick Motorsports — we spent a lot of time together throughout the years,” said Johnson. “Jason is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met in the sport, he’s solid and he’s created an amazing legacy for himself. I’ve always had a great working relationship with him, and I’m just genuinely excited he has joined the Club.”

Johnson joined the ownership team at Legacy Motor Club, then known as Petty GMS, in late 2022. He ran three races for Legacy in 2023, his first since retiring after the 2020 season. Legacy also runs the 42 and 43 cars fulltime for John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones, respectively.

While Johnson is only running a partial schedule, Burdett is joining Legacy M.C. in a fulltime capacity as the team shifts manufacturers from Chevrolet to Toyota in 2024.

“Jason comes to LEGACY M.C. at a great time,” said Joey Cohen, vice president, race operations. “Not only is he a perfect fit to lead our 84 team with JJ and their past experiences, but he also will help tremendously in the operational transition to Toyota and greatly assist the crew chiefs on the Nos. 42 and 43 teams. We are excited for Jason to begin his LEGACY and continue his winning ways with our Club.”

Burdett has ample experience leading a race team. He had a stint as Jarrett’s crew chief in 2007 for Michael Waltrip Racing, and was later tapped by Dale Earnhardt Jr. to crew chief at JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series. Burdett became JRM’s winningest crew chief with 18 trips to victory lane working with Regan Smith, Justin Allgaier and Brandon Jones from 2015-2023.

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Burdett called 293 races at JRM with 113 top-five and 193 top-10 finishes, plus five berths in the “Championship 4.”

Three of Johnson’s 2024 races have been announced. AdventHealth will sponsor the No. 84 at Texas Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600, and Kansas Speedway in May. LEGACY M.C. plans to announce the full schedule for Johnson in early 2024.

“Partnering with Toyota and their successful history in motorsports is remarkable for our organization,” said Burdett. “I am dedicated to maximizing our success at the racetrack, to accomplish Cup Series win No. 84 with the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE and write a new chapter in our Legacy.”

This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Arkport native Jason Burdett named Jimmie Johnson's NASCAR crew chief