Jimmie Johnson Confirms Date for His Final NASCAR Cup Series Start

Seven times NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson has shared his explained the reasons behind his 2026 Cup retirement announcement.

Jimmie Johnson Confirms Date for His Final NASCAR Cup Series Start

Jimmie Johnson (Via IMAGO)

Seven times Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson came back to NASCAR 2023, after two years in IndyCar, as an owner driver with now rebranded Legacy Moor Club. He was chasing a milestone 84th career Cup win, while helping his team develop string cars and unfortunately hasn’t been able to do both.

Now ahead of his 2026 Daytona 500 starts, under OEP provisional, the veteran has confirmed his plans for retirement. Jimmie Johnson announced that the 2027 season opener will be the final race of his career. He would be hoping to have a string season, before the final retirement as other than a P3 finish last year, at Daytona, Next-Gen car hasn’t been kind to him.

Next February, I’ll make my final start in the Cup Series at Daytona. I’ve been very fortunate to accomplish more than I ever imagined in this sport.

Jimmie Johnson said via Jayski.

Since his retirement in full-time racing in 2020, Jimmie Johnson has been exploring opportunities in other racing series and ticking off his motorsports bucket list. Now he believes the time has come for him to shift his whole focus to LMC, helping the team to build word class facilities and championship winning cars.

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 unrivalled organization in LEGACY MOTOR CLUB.

Jimmie Johnson added.

Talking about the same in a separate conversation, Johnson explained how much his team needs him as an owner over a driver at the moment. He wants to be a crucial part of the long-term growth of the team by supporting them from the sidelines. The veteran also sees this as an opportunity also bond more with the fans.

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. 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.

Jimmie Johnson said.

Jimmie Johnson explains how it’s tough for him perform in the new era

One of the major reasons behind Johnson’s decision was how tough Next-Gen car is drive in the non-Superspeedways, without regular starts. The part-time starts are not productive enough for himself and the team.

Jimmie Johnson (via USA Today)
Jimmie Johnson (via USA Today)

Even if you’ve been away for a while, you can come back and work your way through the duels, get some drafting time, and find that sweet spot and be competitive. The half-mile tracks, a mile and a half, it’s really tough. If you’re not in these cars all the time and deeply rooted in the process, to have a shot to win is unrealistic.

Jimmie Johnson added.

Being a competitor at heart, one condition Jimmie Johnson has about race starts is he gets a car capable of winning, so far LMC hasn’t provided them and his limited experience with the car is a huge drawback as well. The comments from the veteran racer seems rational and it right for him to move on to more behind the scene roles.

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