Jimmie Johnson aims to make final Daytona 500 start in 2027 - ESPN

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Jimmie Johnson hopes to end his illustrious NASCAR Cup Series career at the 2027 Daytona 500.

The seven-time Cup champion announced Saturday, the day before the 68th running of «The Great American Race,» that he will enter one additional Daytona 500 before calling it a career. He said he plans to continue racing in other series, maybe even in other NASCAR events, but won't return to stock car's premier level again.

«I've been fortunate to accomplish more than I ever imagined in this sport,» said Johnson, a two-time Daytona 500 champion who finished third in the 2025 season opener. «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. I am going to focus all of my energy on leading and building a world class organization.»

Johnson, 50, is the majority owner of Legacy Motor Club, which fields full-time Cup rides for Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson has two more national series races scheduled beyond Daytona this year — in the Truck and Cup series in San Diego near his hometown.

The No. 84 entry that Johnson will drive Sunday for the 15th time since his retirement from full-time racing will become the team's third full-time entry next year. Legacy already purchased a third charter from Rick Ware Racing, the last one sold before a federal lawsuit settlement involving two teams and NASCAR upped the price significantly.

That seemingly leaves Johnson driving next year at Daytona in a yet-to-be-determined number after racing his entire career in either the No. 48 or its transposed counterpart.

Johnson walked away from his full-time gig at powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports after the 2020 season. He stepped