Jimmie Johnson has announced that the 2027 Daytona 500 will be his final NASCAR Cup Series event.
The announcement, on ESPN radio show Marty and McGee, comes just a day prior to his 701st scheduled start in the series with Sunday’s (Feb. 15) 2026 Daytona 500.
“I’ve been very fortunate to accomplish more than I ever imagined in this sport,” Johnson said in the accompanying press release. “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.”
Johnson also confirmed that he will be competing in a fourth LMC Toyota, as the organization will be expanding to three full-time Cup entries in 2027.
“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,” Tyler Gibbs, president of Toyota Racing Development, said. “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.”
Johnson, 50, last competed full-time in the Cup Series in 2020. The El Cajon, California native did keep the door open to racing in other NASCAR series in the future.
During a Cup Series career spanning nearly 25 years, Johnson holds 83 victories, a record-tying seven Cup championships, and was an inductee of the 2024 Class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. He’s also a two-time Daytona 500 winner (2006 & 2013).
The past few seasons, Johnson has competed in a limited Cup schedule with the team he co-owns, Legacy Motor Club.
Michael has watched NASCAR for over 25 years and has covered it on-and-off for 14.
In addition to Frontstretch he also writes sporadically for his own websites GrandPrixFocus.com and StockCarFocus.com.