Two GOATs, 14 championships.
That’s going to be the scene moments before the Indianapolis 500 on May 25, when seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady takes a ridealong in a two-seat IndyCar with seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson.
Both men are considered by many to be the greatest ever in their respective sports, and with Brady now a Fox Sports NFL analyst, it makes sense for him to appear at the first Indy 500 broadcast on Fox through its broadcast deal with IndyCar struck last year.
IndyCar offers a ridealong opportunity to a notable figure as part of its “Fastest Seat in Sports” program before each race, and the speeds can be significant, if not top-end race pace. Past riders have included Lady Gaga, Mark Wahlberg and Alex Rodriguez (who did it to begin this season and who, like Brady, is also a TV analyst for Fox).
Although Johnson didn’t find success in his brief IndyCar career in his post-NASCAR days, he’s still a four-time Indianapolis winner by virtue of his four NASCAR Brickyard 400 victories.
Johnson qualified 12th and finished 28th after crashing in his lone Indy 500 attempt (2022).
“I love the Indy 500,” Johnson said. “There is an energy and excitement around the 500 that is unlike anything I have experienced before. Certainly, pre-race ceremonies are the ultimate racing experience that I’ve had outside of the car. I’m thrilled to be a part of the program and to see the stands full one more time.”
Later that day, the 49-year-old Johnson will fly to Charlotte to race in NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 — which will mark his 700th career Cup Series start. It is also his final scheduled start for the time being.
Brady won six Super Bowls in 20 seasons with the New England Patriots, then moved to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and won a seventh title in 2020, his first of three seasons there. He retired after the 2022 season and joined Fox’s No. 1 broadcast booth for 2024.
(Photo of Tom Brady: Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images)