Jimmie Johnson will not race at this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series street race in Chicago after the deaths of his wife, parents and a nephew in Oklahoma.
the body of 69-year-old Jack Janeway; his wife, Terri Janeway, 68; She and her 11-year-old grandson Dalton Janeway were found Monday at a home in Muskogee, Oklahoma, which is about 50 miles southeast of Tulsa, Muskogee Police spokeswoman Lynn Hamlin said. Hamlin said investigators believe Terri Janeway shot and killed her husband and grandson before shooting herself.
Hamlin said police responded to the home after a woman called 911 to report a disturbance with a gun before hanging up.
When police arrived at the scene, Hamlin said, they found a man near the front door of the home and then heard shots fired from inside, where officers later found two other people dead. Hamlin confirmed that all three were the parents and nephews of Johnson’s wife, Chandra Janeway.
NASCAR is preparing for its first foray into street course racing this week. Johnson, a seven-time Cup Series champion, is racing on a part-time basis this year as co-owner of Legacy Motor Club. He drives the No. 84 Caravan Chevrolet.
Legacy Motor Club said, “The Johnson family has asked for privacy at this time and will make no further statements.” said in a tweet,
“We are saddened by the tragic death of Chandra Johnson’s family members,” NASCAR said in a statement. “The entire NASCAR family extends its deepest support and condolences to Chandra, Jimmy and the entire Johnson & Janeway families during this difficult time.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.