NASCAR
Jimmie Johnson Announces His Final Cup Series Start
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson has announced that the 2027 DAYTONA 500 will be his final start as a NASCAR Cup Series driver.
The 50-year-old team owner of Legacy Motor Club will start 31st in his No. 84 Toyota in Sunday’s 68th running of The Great American Race.
Johnson still plans to run the Cup Series race on the San Diego Street Course at Naval Base Coronado later this season. No additional Cup Series races have been announced for Johnson, aside from his final in Daytona next season.
“I’m really excited to get this announcement out and build some excitement around this opportunity in 2027,” Johnson said during his media conference. “We had a great run here last year. I think we have a real shot at winning the DAYTONA 500 and putting my name on here (the Harley J. Earl Trophy) again.”
Johnson ‘retired’ from full-time Cup Series competition at the completion of the 2020 season. During his tenure as a full-time driver, he won two DAYTONA 500’s and tied Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for a record seven championships. After stepping away, he spent a few years running the IndyCar schedule before returning to NASCAR competition on a part-time basis and as a Cup Series team owner in 2023.
“I didn’t use the word ‘retirement’ way back when in 2020. As you guys all know, I still love to compete and want to be on the track racing. The journey as an owner, and certainly where I am in life right now, to compete at the Cup level week-in and week-out, is a door that’s shutting for me now. I’ll be able to enjoy it this year with the race this weekend and the race in San Diego, and then put a bow on everything Cup-wise when we come back here in 2027.”
Johnson clarified that this announcement does not mean he won’t be racing other things in the future. He still plans to race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for TRICON Garage at the San Diego Street Course later this year, checking off a ‘bucket list’ item. Johnson plans to check off other bucket list races as they come, but clarified he will not return to the IndyCar Series or NASCAR Cup Series.
Take a look at Johnson’s full comments from his time in the Daytona International Speedway Media Center on Saturday:
Written by Noah Lewis
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Photo Credit Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCARMedia
