Jimmie Johnson Returns for 2025 Daytona 500, Eyes Milestone 700th Start

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 14: Jimmie Johnson speaks to the Media during the NASCAR Cup Series 66th Annual Daytona 500 Media Day at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
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Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson isn’t quite ready to let retirement define him. On Thursday, Johnson announced he will attempt to qualify for the 2025 Daytona 500, set for February 16, as part of a limited two-race schedule this season. Piloting the No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota, Johnson will make his bid for a 22nd Daytona 500 start and, potentially, his first win in the iconic event since 2013.

It’s hardly Johnson’s first rodeo at Daytona. The two-time winner of the “Great American Race” captured his first Harley J. Earl Trophy in 2006 and added another in 2013, both during his legendary tenure at Hendrick Motorsports. Now, he’s back, aiming to remind everyone why he’s one of the sport’s greatest.

The Daytona 500 isn’t his only target. Johnson also announced plans to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25 (6 p.m. ET, Prime Video). The event could mark his 700th Cup Series start, a milestone reached by only 20 drivers in NASCAR history. Johnson is a four-time winner of NASCAR’s longest race and boasts eight career wins at Charlotte, making it a fitting venue for such a momentous occasion.

“I’m thrilled to be returning to competition in 2025,” Johnson said via Legacy Motor Club’s news release. “These two races hold a special place in my heart. The Daytona 500 is a crown jewel of NASCAR, and Charlotte Motor Speedway has always felt like home to me.”

Carvana will continue its partnership with Johnson, sponsoring both events. The company’s co-founder, Ryan Keeton, promised a special livery to celebrate Johnson’s potential 700th start—a nod to both his longevity and enduring legacy in the sport.

At 49 years old, Johnson’s resume remains one of the most decorated in NASCAR history. With 83 career Cup wins and seven championships, his post-retirement ventures have included stints in IndyCar and a return to NASCAR with partial schedules in 2023 and 2024. Now, the NASCAR legend is adding yet another chapter, chasing records, trophies, and perhaps a bit of nostalgia as he returns to the tracks that helped define his legacy.

If Johnson secures a spot in the Daytona 500, fans can expect the same determination that’s defined his career. After all, while some see retirement as the finish line, Johnson seems to treat it more like a pit stop.

Greg Engle