Why is Jimmie Johnson Still Racing? 'I'm One of Those Idiots Who Keeps Going'

Jimmie Johnson has done it all: NASCAR, INDYCAR and off-road racing, among other forms of motorsports.

What's next for the NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven-time Cup Series champ? Driving a Trophy Truck in the Mint 400 on March 8. 

"I've always wanted to go back. I thought maybe short-course racing would be that kind of reentry point," Johnson, who drove in the 2026 Daytona 500, said about why he's set to drive a Trophy Truck next month on the latest edition of "SPEED With Harvick And Burton." 

"I grew up racing with the Herbst family, and they have second-, third-generation racers now in that series, and, obviously, Riley Herbst is in the Cup Series. But Troy Herbst has offered so many times: 'Come play. Come back. You won't believe what the trucks do.'

"The last Trophy Truck race I was in was in 1995, and so, I've had some curiosities around it, and I went and tested it in October, and it just blew my mind. I'm like, 'I got to do this.’"

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On that note, Johnson will also race for TRICON Garage in the June 19 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series street race at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, near his El Cajon hometown.

Johnson raced full-time on the NASCAR Cup Series circuit at Hendrick Motorsports from 2002-2020 and 20 years total (2001-20). He has also driven in a combined 15 Cup Series races since 2023 for his own team, Legacy Motor Club, highlighted by finishing third in the 2025 Daytona 500.

Johnson won seven Cup Series titles (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2016), which puts him in a three-way tie with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the most in NASCAR history; he won 83 races total, which is tied with Cale Yarborough for sixth in