Jimmie Johnson will not take part in this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race in Chicago following the passing of his wife’s parents and nephew in Oklahoma.
The bodies of Jack Janway, 68, Terry Janway, 68, and their 11-year-old grandson Dalton Janway were discovered in their Muskogee, Oklahoma, home on Monday. Investigators suspect Terry Janway killed her husband and grandchild with a gun before killing herself.
Police arrived on the scene after a woman called 911 to report a disturbance involving a pistol and hung up. Officers confirmed one individual dead at the home’s front door, then two more bodies were discovered inside after hearing a gunshot.
“LEGACY MOTOR CLUB has elected to withdraw the No. 84 Carvana Chevrolet from this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series event in Chicago,” the team co-owned by Johnson said in a tweet.
“The Johnson family has asked for privacy at this time and no further statements will be made.”
“We are saddened by the tragic deaths of members of Chandra Johnson’s family,” NASCAR said in a statement. “The entire NASCAR family extends its deepest support and condolences during this difficult time to Chandra, Jimmie and the entire Johnson & Janway families.”
Marlon Coleman, the mayor of Muskogee, told Fox 23 that he knew the Janway family because Jack was one of the best chiropractors in the locality.
“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,” Coleman said.
“It was even more bone-chilling to find out there was a child involved. I knew Dr. Janway. 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.”
Coleman continued by addressing the neighborhood.
“One thing I want to say to my community right now is that more than ever, we need to love each other,” Coleman said.
“We need to be concerned about each other enough that if we identify issue with family or friends, that we talk to them and get them the help that they need.”
Johnson had been scheduled to take part in NASCAR’s inaugural street course event. He has won seven Cup Series Championships in his career and he is currently racing on a part-time basis.
