Jimmie Johnson announced Saturday the 2027 Daytona 500 is set to be his final start in the NASCAR Cup Series
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Jimmie Johnson announced Saturday the 2027 Daytona 500 is set to be his final start in the NASCAR Cup Series
Johnson made the announcement on ESPN’s “Marty & McGee.” Legacy Motor Club later confirmed it in a press release.
“Next February, I’ll make my final start in the Cup Series at Daytona,” the two-time Daytona 500 champion said. “I’ve been very fortunate to accomplish more than I ever imagined in this sport. The last six years have given me the freedom to choose where I compete and more importantly, the clarity to understand where I’m needed most. It’s time to focus my energy on building a world class and unrivaled organization in Legacy Motor Club.”
The seven-time Cup champion added he is open to starts in other series but that the 2027 Daytona 500 will be his final Cup race.
“As a team owner, I need to be on the sidelines on race day supporting our drivers and crews on the competition side and cultivating relationships that are crucial to the long-term growth of the Club,” Johnson said. “I also want to take the time to celebrate with fans throughout the season to show how grateful I am for their support throughout my career.”
Johnson first stepped away from Cup racing in 2020 but the pandemic prevented a full celebration of his illustrious, NASCAR Hall of Fame career.
Johnson made his Cup debut in 2001 with Hendrick Motorsports — in the No. 48 Chevrolet he went on to win 83 races and seven championships with over the next 16 seasons.
In 2020, Johnson announced his retirement from full-time Cup racing — but he was far from done with racing. In 2021, he raced part-time in the NTT INDYCAR Series before going full-time the following year — claiming top rookie honors in the 2022 Indianapolis 500.
After his INDYCAR tenure saw mixed results, Johnson returned to NASCAR in 2023 with his own team — Legacy Motor Club — in a partnership that initially paired him with fellow seven-time champion Richard Petty. Johnson picked the No. 84, possibly as a foretelling of his fate as he sought his 84th win.
While Johnson has yet to get to victory lane for win No. 84, he earned a top-five finish in the 2025 Daytona 500. The team also switched to Toyota in 2024 and is likely to expand to three teams in the future, possibly as soon as 2027.
The 2027 Daytona 500 is likely set to also be Denny Hamlin’s final Daytona 500 — meaning two of the sport’s biggest stars of the last 25 years will likely compete in their last Great American Race next year.
Statement on Jimmie Johnson from Tyler Gibbs, president, TRD U.S.A.:
“Jimmie Johnson is a champion in every aspect of his life – with his family, as the leader of Legacy Motor Club and with his incredible success behind the wheel. As he prepares to close the chapter of his iconic on-track NASCAR career, we celebrate his legacy in the sport and look forward to what we’ll continue to achieve together in the years to come.”
This year, Hamlin and Johnson start 22nd and 31st, respectively, in the Daytona 500.