NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson thanks fans, friends and family for their support as he speaks out for the first time since his in-laws and 11-year-old nephew were shot dead in ‘murder-suicide’ in June
- The 48-year-old is expected to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Friday
- Jack and Terry Lynn Janway died in June in Muskogee, OK, with grandson Dalton
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson has revealed the “incredibly difficult time” his family has been through seven months since his in-laws and cousin were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide.
The 48-year-old, seven-time Cup Series champion lost three family members: his wife Chandra Janway’s parents, Jack and Terry Lynn Janway, 69 and 68 respectively, and his cousin Dalton, 11, in a shooting in Oklahoma in June 2023.
Muskogee police said at the time that a female caller informed officers of a disturbance and that a gun was involved. When police arrived on the scene, they found one person at the front door of the home and then heard a shot from further inside, where officers later found two of the three dead.
Now Johnson has shared an update about his family NBC’S TODAY show for the first time since last year’s tragedy.
“First and foremost, thank you for the support,” he said first. “Friends and family, fans from all over the world have been extremely supportive, and that has helped us through this incredibly difficult time.
Jimmie Johnson thanked family, friends and fans for their support on NBC’s Today Show, seven months after an apparent murder-suicide in his wife’s family
Johnson’s mother-in-law Terry Janway, 68, shot and killed her husband, Jack, 69, and their grandson, Dalton, 11, at the family’s Oklahoma home in Muskogee
Johnson and his wife Chandra – a former model – have rarely commented on the family tragedy
“We’re doing the best we can, and that’s really all you can do, so thank you for the support and the continued support.”
Johnson’s comments come after he announced the remainder of his 2024 NASCAR Cup Series schedule, which was also during his appearance on NBC on Tuesday.
What’s more is that the El Cajon, California native will be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Friday.
He will then return to racing on Feb. 18 in the 2024 Daytona 500, Legacy Motor Club announced Tuesday.
The Janway’s home in Muskogee, Oklahoma, seen in June 2023, days after the murder-suicide
Jimmie and Chandra married in ’04 and share two daughters: Lydia, 9, and Genevieve, 12
“I am so proud to represent Carvana for a second NASCAR season, and our fourth season overall as partners, at some of my favorite races,” Johnson said in a statement to Forbes.
“Carvana is a fun brand that captures the fun of cars and racing and they are doing a great job leveraging their partnership with Legacy MC. “I’m excited to have a chance to win another Daytona 500 trophy in our new Toyota Camry XSEs and the color scheme is sure to be a fan favorite.”
Johnson and Chandra, a former model, tied the knot in 2004 and share two girls together: Lydia, 9, and Genevieve, 12. Johnson often shares photos of their family time together on Instagram, attending sporting events or going on holiday.