Jimmie Johnson's Return to the Daytona 500

Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson is set to make his 701st career start in the NASCAR Cup Series at the 2026 Daytona 500, thanks to a guaranteed entry through the Open Exemption Provisional. Legacy Motor Club, the team Johnson co-owns, successfully applied for this provision, ensuring the 50-year-old Hall of Famer will be the 41st car in the field for the Great American Race on February 15, 2026.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The Open Exemption Provisional, introduced ahead of the 2025 season, allows accomplished drivers—whether from NASCAR or other motorsports series—a “promoter’s choice” spot in the Daytona 500. While Johnson forgoes purse money and championship points for this non-chartered entry in the No. 84 Carvana Toyota, he remains fully eligible to compete for the win and the iconic Harley J. Earl trophy. His starting position will likely be determined by his performance in the Bluegreen Vacations Duels.

Johnson, who retired from full-time racing after the 2020 season, has competed on a limited schedule since 2023 with Legacy Motor Club. His recent Daytona 500 performances include a standout third-place finish in 2025—his best result in years after struggling to crack the top 30 in most starts during 2023 and 2024. A two-time Daytona 500 winner (2006 and 2013), Johnson has expressed excitement about chasing an 84th career victory while driving the No. 84 car.

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #84 Carvana Toyota poses on track qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR)

While Johnson’s experience and past success at superspeedways like Daytona make him a sentimental favorite, the once-dominant champion is not expected to be a serious contender for victory in 2026 unless fortune smiles on him with drafting luck or late-race chaos. Legacy Motor Club has faced challenges in equipment and performance compared to powerhouse teams like Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing, and Johnson’s part-time status limits his ability to match the speed of full-time frontrunners.

Beyond Daytona, Johnson has confirmed he will also race in NASCAR’s inaugural event at Naval Base Coronado near his hometown of El Cajon, California, in June 2026. His full-season plans remain unclear, but the Daytona 500 appearance continues his tradition of select high-profile starts.

Career Highlights and Statistics

Jimmie Johnson’s illustrious NASCAR Cup Series career places him among the all-time greats:

– 7 Championships (2006–2010, 2013, 2016) — Tied with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the most in series history; unique record of five consecutive titles (2006–2010).
– 83 Wins — Tied for sixth all-time (with Cale Yarborough).
– 232 Top-5 Finishes and 374 Top-10 Finishes.
– 36 Pole Positions.
– 700 Career Starts prior to 2026 (686 in the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, plus part-time entries in the No. 84 Toyota).
– Multiple victories in every major “crown jewel” event, including four Brickyard 400s, four Coca-Cola 600s, and two Southern 500s.