Daytona Beach, Florida — jimmy johnson Plans to end his illustrious NASCAR Cup Series career at the 2027 Daytona 500.
The seven-time Cup champion announced Saturday, a day before the 68th running of “The Great American Race” that he will enter one additional Daytona 500 before calling it a career. He said he plans to continue racing in other series, perhaps even other NASCAR events, but will not return to the premier level of stock car racing again.
“I’ve been fortunate to accomplish more in this sport than I ever thought possible,” said Johnson, a two-time Daytona 500 champion who finished third in the 2025 season opener. “The last six years have given me the freedom to choose where I compete and more importantly, the clarity to understand where I am needed most. I am going to focus all my energy on leading and building a world-class organization.”
Johnson, 50, is the majority owner of Legacy Motor Club, which offers full-time Cup rides eric jones And John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson has two more national series races scheduled beyond Daytona this year – in the Truck and Cup series in San Diego, near his hometown.
The No. 84 entry that Johnson will drive for the 15th time on Sunday since his retirement from full-time racing will become the team’s third full-time entry next year. Legacy purchased a third charter from Rick Ware Racing, the last charter sold before a federal lawsuit involving the two teams was settled and NASCAR significantly increased the price.
It appears Johnson will be driving a set number at Daytona next year after racing in the No. 48 or its transposed counterpart throughout his career.
Johnson moved away from his full-time schedule at powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports after the 2020 season. He stepped down after amassing 83 Cup wins and a record seven series titles in 19 years.
He spent more time with his family and took advantage of the opportunity to create a less demanding schedule. He competed in the IndyCar Series for two seasons (2021–22), became a part owner in the Legacy and drove in several bucket list items such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Rolex 24 at Daytona and an Unlimited Hydroplane at Seafair. He earned Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year honors in 2022.
Johnson is making his 23rd start in the Daytona 500 on Sunday, having won in 2006 and 2013.
“This is the only race that gets you the title,” Johnson said earlier this week. “I was fortunate to experience it. You walk out here, and whatever you do, you get a title. I never had a title in my life. It speaks to the importance of race, the magnitude of race, the history behind it.
“You get a title and you’re reminded of it every time you’re introduced.”
He considers that first Daytona 500 victory a turning point in his career. This marked the beginning of the first of five consecutive championships that made him the face of the series while also competing against Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart.
And that’s when crew chief Chad Knaus was thrown out of the Daytona 500 and two more races were suspended due to illegal car adjustments.
“There was a lot of growth that offseason,” said Johnson, who finished fifth in the 2005 rankings. “Theoretically, we made it where we wanted to be. And then when Chad got sent home, ‘Shoot, now we have to live it up.’
“It was really that defining moment for us. It forced a lot of us to move forward instead of looking at Chad and saying, ‘Okay, dude, fix it.’ There was a lot of responsibility and accountability on all of us in the game. As a result we became a more efficient, effective, stronger team. When I look back, that winter and then him getting suspended was the most important moment on the 48 team.”
It’s been 20 years since that seminal moment, and Johnson — even with one retirement in the rearview mirror and another on the horizon — is having a hard time believing the milestone.
“How has it been so long?” Johnson said. “I don’t think I’m any more mature. There’s definitely a lot of gray in me. It’s just crazy how fast time goes by.”
