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Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson is set to continue racing in various other series and potentially even other NASCAR events, but he has decided not to return to the top tier of stock car racing.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Johnson has announced his intention to conclude his remarkable NASCAR Cup Series career at the 2027 Daytona 500.
On the eve of the 68th edition of “The Great American Race,” Johnson revealed that he will participate in one final Daytona 500 before officially retiring from the Cup Series. While he will step away from NASCAR’s premier level, Johnson remains open to competing in different racing formats.
“I’ve been incredibly lucky to achieve more than I ever dreamed in this sport,” said Johnson, who has twice triumphed at the Daytona 500 and recently secured a third-place finish in the 2025 season opener. “These past six years have allowed me the freedom to choose my races and, more importantly, the insight to identify where I am most needed. My focus will now be on leading and developing a world-class organization.”
At 50 years old, Johnson is the principal owner of Legacy Motor Club, which runs full-time Cup cars for drivers Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek. In addition to Daytona, Johnson has planned appearances in two more national series races this year, competing in both the Truck and Cup series in San Diego, close to his hometown.
The No. 84 entry that Johnson will drive Sunday for the 15th time since his retirement from full-time racing will become the team’s third full-time entry next year. Legacy already purchased a third charter from Rick Ware Racing, the last one sold before a federal lawsuit settlement involving two teams and NASCAR upped the price significantly.
That seemingly leaves Johnson driving next year at Daytona in a yet-to-be-determined number after racing his entire career in either the No. 48 or its transposed counterpart.
Johnson walked away from his full-time gig at powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports after the 2020 season. He stepped down after 83 Cup victories and a record-tying seven series titles over 19 years.
He spent more time with his family and embraced the opportunity to design a less-demanding schedule. He competed in the IndyCar Series for two seasons (2021-22), became a partial owner at Legacy and drove in a number of bucket list items like 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.
He’s making his 23rd start in the Daytona 500 on Sunday, having won in 2006 and 2013.
“It’s the only race you get a title,” Johnson said earlier this week. “I was fortunate to experience that. You leave here and anything you do, you got a title. I never had a title in my life. That speaks to the importance of the race, the magnitude of the race, the history behind it all.
“You get a title and you get reminded of it every time you’re introduced.”
He considers that first Daytona 500 victory a turning point in his career. It kickstarted the first of five consecutive championships that made him the face of the series even while competing against Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart.
And it came after crew chief Chad Knaus was kicked out of the Daytona 500 and suspended two more races because of an illegal car adjustment.
“A lot of growth took place in that offseason,” said Johnson, who finished fifth in the 2005 standings. “In theory, we bought into what we wanted to be. And then with Chad being sent home, ‘Shoot, now we got to live it.’
“It really was that fortifying moment us. It forced a lot of us to step up instead of just looking at Chad and saying, ‘All right, man, fix it.’ We all had so much more responsibility and skin in the game. We became a more efficient, effective, stronger team as a result. When I look at back, that winter and then him being suspended were the most pivotal moment in the 48 team.”
It’s been 20 years since that seminal moment, and Johnson — even with one retirement in the rearview mirror and another one on the horizon — has a hard time believing the milestone.
“How has it been that long?” Johnson said. “I don’t think I’m any more mature. I certainly have a lot more gray. It’s just wild how fast time goes by.”
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