Johnson to make one last hurrah at Daytona 500
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Jimmie Johnson gets his old No. 48 back for his final Cup race at next season’s Daytona 500.
His former sponsor should be along for the ride.
Take a look at pit road on NASCAR’s brightest day and don’t be surprised to see celebrities from the kitchen to the stage rooting on Johnson.
Even with the white flag about to drop on Johnson’s racing career, he’s still one of stock car racing’s biggest stars -- and by Daytona, he should have a spot on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to prove it.
“I’m going out swinging,” Johnson said with a laugh.
Maybe new Legacy Motor Club investor and Phillies slugger Bryce Harper can offer some tips.
The 50-year-old Johnson is busy in the boardroom these days looking for investors and growing his race team as the majority owner of Legacy. Almost as busy as he was on the track, when he was one of three drivers to win seven NASCAR Cup Series championships, earning a spot in the Hall of Fame.
Johnson is expected to make his 703rd and final -- for real, this time -- Cup start in February’s Daytona 500.
Until then, the two-time Daytona 500 champion is spending his time sharpening Legacy’s future.
Ownership role
Johnson used to spend his race weekends signing countless autographs in the garage. The fan requests are still there, for sure, only now his signature is needed more on the dotted line for deals including trying to back long-time sponsor Lowe’s to the 48 -- a number Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman surrendered for the Daytona 500. Johnson also soon hopes to announce Legacy’s third driver for the 2027 season.
Johnson added some big-time winners to his race team last month as part of a strategic ownership group that includes championship athletes, Grammy Award winners, entrepreneurs, investors, motorsport greats and cultural leaders.
Jimmie Johnson prepares his helmet during a practice for the NASCAR Daytona 500 race on Feb. 14, 2025, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP file photo)
Johnson dedicated to turning Legacy into winner
Johnson only raced in Cup this season at the Daytona 500 and the debut race at Naval Base Coronado.
He has a few races on deck in other racing series, just as much for fun and without the competitive pressures of NASCAR.
“I’ve been slowly weaning myself off,” Johnson said. “Now that I’ve found something that’s keeping me so busy and so invigorated in the sport, I’m still competing, it’s the race within the race, I am fully ready and also very excited for that day and the build up for it and all the great collaborations that will be announced shortly.”
Johnson has won 83 career races in his NASCAR career and a record five consecutive series titles. He is the only racer to be selected The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year.
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing