Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson will lead NFL icon Tom Brady on a breathtaking ride at the famed Indy 500, boldly testing the boundaries as part of the event’s high-speed “fastest seat in sports” tradition. With Johnson piloting Tom Brady at Indy 500 this weekend, fans are eagerly watching to see if the former quarterback’s nerves can withstand real IndyCar speeds on race day in Indianapolis.
The Indy 500’s Celebrity Thrill Ride Tradition Welcomes Tom Brady
Since 2010, the Indianapolis 500 has included a special pre-race event where celebrities sit in a two-seater open-wheel car alongside a professional race car driver, offering them a firsthand taste of the high-adrenaline world of IndyCar. The tradition began with Mark Wahlberg riding alongside Michael Andretti and has since featured a variety of notable personalities, each seeking the thrill of racing at over 200 miles per hour. Unlike the controlled pace car experiences common in other motorsports, the Indy 500’s fastest seat pulls no punches, subjecting the celebrity passenger to the same raw forces and speeds drivers face during a race.
This year, Tom Brady steps in as the next celebrity to face this challenge. The former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback — famous for his five Super Bowl wins and legendary composure under pressure — will experience an entirely different type of intensity. Brady’s pilot for this breathtaking journey is none other than Jimmie Johnson, a veteran who has conquered NASCAR’s most daunting moments and who knows all about pushing beyond 200 mph on the racetrack.
Jimmie Johnson’s Plan: Maximum Speed and Mischief
Jimmie Johnson is no stranger to extreme speed, but for Brady, this will be completely uncharted territory. As anticipation builds for the event, it’s become clear that the dynamic between the two athletes is loaded with friendly tension and good-natured challenges. Their partnership evolved from a shared business interest, initially forged when Legacy Motor Club joined forces with Knighthead Capital Management, and has since flourished into a unique friendship that’s now being put to a public test at one of racing’s grandest stages.
During an interview with Fox Sports’ First Things First, Johnson expressed his intentions to make this an unforgettable ride for Brady.
“Well, they say it’s the fastest seat in the world, something like that, right? So, I would imagine we’ve got to get up to 200 on the straights,”
Johnson remarked, making it clear that this would be a no-holds-barred introduction for the football star. —Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Champion
As the moment approaches, Brady’s apprehension has become a topic of playful conversation. Johnson admitted,
“I’ll be there tomorrow to shake down the car… I sense a little fear, so I can’t decide if I want him to be there or not. I want him in there cold turkey and nervous, but tomorrow I’ll have a better sense of it, but with the headlines of the fastest seat in sports, we got to let it rip.”
—Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Champion
Throughout their build-up to the event, Johnson has made it his personal mission to keep Brady on edge, capitalizing on his friend’s limited experience with race cars and high speeds. The NASCAR champ seems determined to give the ex-NFL player a story to remember, if not an overwhelming rush of adrenaline.
Brady’s Apprehension: Fear Meets Fame
Even among the world’s best athletes, few things compare to the vulnerability of being a passenger at breakneck speed. For race car drivers like Johnson, the sensation is commonplace, but celebrities often struggle with motion sickness and fear — especially when thrust into the unknown at 200 mph. Brady, who excelled in high-stakes NFL contests, now faces a test of nerves of an entirely different kind.
Johnson shared insight into the pre-race banter with his high-profile passenger:
“He’s already sent a few text messages worried about speed, an accident, and motion sickness. So, I have three objectives, well, maybe two. I probably shouldn’t crash in front of the field, but make him sick and make him soil and suit,”
Johnson joked, eager to tease but mindful of his friend’s unease. —Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Champion
The former quarterback’s apprehension is understandable; trust between driver and passenger is put to the test in such extraordinary conditions. Even within the elite circles of athletes, the uncertainty of relying on someone else’s skill at these blistering speeds can rachet up tension, fear, and adrenaline in equal measure.
Despite his lighthearted threats, Johnson emphasized the safety of his guest — even as he admitted that chaos on the track can never be fully ruled out.
“I want him to watch this clip, but I would hate for him to see this because I’ve been torturing him enough about getting sick, but the chances are quite low,”
Johnson said, underlining his confidence but refusing to offer absolute guarantees. —Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Champion
Racing and Rivalry at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Beyond the high-speed entertainment at Indy, Johnson is continuing to make headlines in the NASCAR world. As the 49-year-old prepares for his remarkable 700th start in the NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway — the venue where he launched his Cup Series journey in 2001 — many have speculated about retirement for the seven-time series champion. Johnson’s record includes 83 victories and a career that has inspired countless drivers. Rumors swirled after a cryptic social media post, which Johnson captioned,
“Been a long road. Wouldn’t change a mile.”
—Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Champion
However, Johnson was quick to clarify during a media session at Charlotte that he is not retiring. When questioned if the weekend’s race would be his last, he simply replied,
“No, it was just great editing. Proud of our digital department for doing a great job.”
—Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Champion
This confirmation brought a sigh of relief to fans and the racing world at large, though Johnson acknowledged that his recent absence from Cup Series competition since finishing third at Daytona could present new challenges at Charlotte.
“Yeah, from a driving standpoint, it’s halfway through the race before I stop thinking and just react and drive. And that’s a tough thing to spot the field in qualifying, and half of a race,”
Johnson explained, revealing the difficulty of finding rhythm after time away. —Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Champion
He added,
“So, that part works against me coming into, especially at a track like Charlotte. Not being in the cars all the time has its consequences.”
—Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Champion
These candid comments provide a behind-the-scenes peek into the challenges of maintaining elite performance in motorsports, as Johnson continues to push his limits even after two decades in the sport.
The Stage is Set for a Unique Sports Crossover
As two titans — Johnson from the world of NASCAR and Brady from the NFL — unite for an unforgettable ride, the stage is set for fireworks at the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Their camaraderie, forged through the quirks of business partnerships and rivalry, will be tested in ways only the Indy 500 can provide. The feature event has captured the imagination of fans and brought even more attention to the fever-pitched Indy 500 weekend, drawing interest not only from die-hard motorsports followers but also from those eager to see how America’s top athletes handle switching arenas.
The coming days promise surprises as Jimmie Johnson piloting Tom Brady at Indy 500 transforms into a dramatic clash of nerves, trust, and speed. Whether Brady manages to keep his composure — or succumbs to Johnson’s planned mischief at 200 mph — it’s certain that their wild ride will add a fresh chapter to both their storied legacies and raise the curtain on one of the weekend’s most anticipated Indy moments. With the spotlight fixed on these two giants, the only thing left to do is watch and see who truly conquers “the fastest seat in sports.”
