NASCAR
Jimmie Johnson Adds 68th Daytona 500, San Diego Truck Race to 2026 Schedule
MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson has had a busy past few days. The semi-retired racing legend will make a 23rd attempt at ‘The Great American Race’ with February’s season-opening Daytona 500. Johnson finished third in this race a year ago driving the Legacy Motor Club No. 84 Toyota sponsored by Carvana. This team returns to try and recapture this success.
Johnson is guaranteed in this year’s 500 field thanks to the Open Exemption Provisional (OEP) entry. First introduced in 2025, this rule allows Johnson a predetermined berth in the race. However, this status also bars Johnson from earning any points or prize money as a 41st car on the grid. The only OEP used last year helped Helio Castroneves make the Daytona 500. Johnson previously won the Daytona 500 in two of his championship seasons, 2006 and 2013. 2025 was his eighth top-five in this race and first with LMC.
In addition to Speedweeks, Johnson is also slated for a rare Craftsman Truck Series return. TRICON Garage’s No. 1 Toyota Tundra will be calling Johnson home for Father’s Day Weekend. Johnson will make his second career Truck start at his hometown race on Naval Base Coronado, part of San Diego race weekend. Johnson’s lone past Truck start came at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2008, driving a No. 81 Chevrolet fielded by Randy Moss. TRICON Garage is the reigning Truck Series championship-winning team, capturing the 2025 trophy with Corey Heim.
“Racing in San Diego means everything to me – it’s home,” said Johnson. “Getting behind the wheel of a Truck Series entry has been on my mind for a while. The competition is incredible, and doing it at a historic street race on a Navy base in my hometown? That’s special. I’m grateful to TRICON and Carvana for making this happen, and honestly, I can’t think of a better way to honor our military and celebrate where I’m from.”
Johnson, an 83-time winner in the NASCAR Cup Series, will also be attempting the San Diego Cup race in the LMC No. 84 Toyota. Carvana will sponsor both of his efforts on the Southern California track.
Johnson’s 2025 NASCAR schedule consisted of two starts: the Daytona 500 and a 700th Cup appearance in the Coca-Cola 600. At the time of this writing, Johnson’s 2026 calendar now includes three showings between Trucks and Cup. Across 14 starts since returning to limited NASCAR competition, third in the 2025 Daytona 500 remains Johnson’s high point.
The 68th Daytona 500 will go green Sunday, February 15 at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The San Diego Truck race will take place on Friday, June 19, also known as Navy Community Day. It will be broadcast on FS1, NRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credits to Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
