The Wanneroo driver will join fellow two-time champion Ryal Harris and George Miedecke in the Matt Stone team and will steer Harris' former Ford. Harris will now drive Peter Burnitt's Ford.
This will be the fourth time that Johnson has raced a Ford, (he raced Danny Buzadzic's at Clipsal, Townsville and Darwin last year). The "wildcard ute" could enable several drivers to fill the seat throughout the year; however Johnson is excited to be the first.
Until Ryal Harris' recent race wins at the Clipsal 500, (now 33 race wins) Johnson was the most successful V8 ute driver with 31 wins.
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READ NOW"Im looking forward to Perth, we should have a lot of local backing as usual and it's a really good car," Johnson said.
"My goal is to go out and win and to have a good weekend and with any luck Ill walk away with the most race wins again."
Johnson was the series driving standards advisor at the event last year and he would much prefer to be behind the wheel.
"Anytime you're behind the car is a lot better than watching. I enjoyed the DSA role and I know what you can and can't do now," he said with a grin.
V8 utes race schedule
Friday, May 1 Practice 1 9am
Practice 2 11.40am
Qualifying 2.40pm
Saturday, May 2 Race 1 10.05am
Race 2 4.05pm
Sunday, May 3 Race 3 11.25am