Jimmie Johnson plans to compete in his last Daytona 500 in 2027.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Jimmie Johnson aims to conclude his distinguished NASCAR Cup Series career at the 2027 Daytona 500.
The seven-time Cup champion revealed on Saturday, the day prior to the 68th edition of “The Great American Race,” that he will participate in one more Daytona 500 before retiring. He intends to keep racing in other series, potentially including additional NASCAR events, but will not return to the top level of stock car racing.
“I’ve been fortunate to achieve more than I ever envisioned in this sport,” stated Johnson, a two-time Daytona 500 champion who secured third place in the 2025 season opener. “The past six years have provided me the freedom to select where I compete and, more importantly, the insight to recognize where my contributions are most valuable. I will concentrate all my efforts on leading and developing a world-class organization.”
The 50-year-old Johnson is the majority owner of Legacy Motor Club, which fields full-time Cup entries for Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson has two additional national series races planned beyond Daytona this year – in the Truck and Cup series in San Diego, close to his hometown.
The No. 84 entry that Johnson will pilot on Sunday marks the 15th time since his retirement from full-time racing and will become the team’s third full-time entry next year. Legacy has already acquired a third charter from Rick Ware Racing, the last one sold before a federal lawsuit settlement involving two teams, which significantly increased the price.
This seemingly positions Johnson to drive next year at Daytona in a number yet to be determined after spending his entire career in either the No. 48 or its mirrored counterpart.
Johnson departed from his full-time role at the prominent Hendrick Motorsports following the 2020 season. He stepped away after achieving 83 Cup victories and tying the record for seven series titles over 19 years.
He dedicated more time to his family and embraced the chance to create a less demanding schedule. He participated in the IndyCar Series for two seasons (2021-22), became a partial owner at Legacy, and engaged in several bucket list events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Rolex 24 at Daytona, and an Unlimited Hydroplane at Seafair. He received Indianapolis 500 rookie of the year honors in 2022.
He is making his 23rd appearance in the Daytona 500 on Sunday, having triumphed in 2006 and 2013.
“It’s the only race where you earn a title,” Johnson remarked earlier this week. “I was fortunate to experience that. You leave here with a title for anything you do. I never had a title in my life. That highlights the significance of the race, the scale of the event, and the history surrounding it.”
“You earn a title, and it is a constant reminder every time you are introduced.”
He regards that initial Daytona 500 victory as a pivotal moment in his career. It initiated the first of five consecutive championships that established him as the face of the series, even while competing against Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, and Tony Stewart.
This occurred after crew chief Chad Knaus was expelled from the Daytona 500 and suspended for two additional races due to an illegal car adjustment.
“A lot of growth occurred during that offseason,” Johnson noted, who finished fifth in the 2005 standings. “In theory, we embraced what we aspired to be. Then with Chad being sent home, ‘Shoot, now we have to embody it.’
“It truly was a fortifying moment for us. It compelled many of us to rise to the occasion instead of merely looking at Chad and saying, ‘All right, man, fix it.’ We all had significantly more responsibility and investment. We became a more efficient, effective, and stronger team as a result. When I reflect on it, that winter and Chad’s suspension were the most crucial moments for the 48 team.”
It has been 20 years since that defining moment, and Johnson – despite one retirement behind him and another approaching – finds it hard to grasp the milestone.
“How has it been that long?” Johnson questioned. “I don’t believe I’ve matured any more. I certainly have a lot more gray hair. It’s just astonishing how quickly time passes.”
Source: espn.com
