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Talladega Today
By the People, for the People
Jimmie Johnson to End NASCAR Driving Career After 2027 Daytona 500
Seven-time Cup champion says the passion to compete is gone as he shifts focus to building Legacy Motor Club.
Published on Feb. 15, 2026
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Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time NASCAR Cup champion, has announced that he will be stepping away from driving after the 2027 Daytona 500 to focus on building his race team, Legacy Motor Club. Johnson says he no longer has the passion and commitment needed to compete at the highest level in NASCAR or IndyCar.
Why it matters
Johnson is one of the most successful NASCAR drivers of all time, with seven Cup championships. His decision to retire from driving and focus on team ownership marks the end of an era and highlights the challenges even elite drivers can face in maintaining the necessary motivation and energy to compete at the top level of motorsports.
The details
Johnson stepped away from full-time NASCAR Cup competition at the end of 2020 and spent 2021-2022 racing in the IndyCar Series. In 2023, he joined Maury Gallagher and Richard Petty as a co-owner of Petty GMS, which was rebranded as Legacy Motor Club. Johnson became the organization's majority owner in January 2025. He now wants to channel his efforts and energy into building a successful race team.
- Johnson stepped away from full-time NASCAR Cup competition at the end of 2020.
- Johnson spent 2021-2022 racing in the IndyCar Series.
- In 2023, Johnson joined Maury Gallagher and Richard Petty as a co-owner of Petty GMS, which was rebranded as Legacy Motor Club.
- Johnson became the majority owner of Legacy Motor Club in January 2025.
- Johnson's final NASCAR race will be the 2027 Daytona 500.
The players
Jimmie Johnson
A seven-time NASCAR Cup champion who is stepping away from driving after the 2027 Daytona 500 to focus on building his race team, Legacy Motor Club.
Maury Gallagher
A co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, the race team that Johnson is now majority owner of.
Richard Petty
A co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, the race team that Johnson is now majority owner of.
What they’re saying
“The commitment it takes to be where I want to be in the field, I just don't have that anymore.”
— Jimmie Johnson (autoweek.com)
“When I reflect on who I was as a 25-year-old kid jumping in that 48 car… with this passion and energy to chase the day and do the best that I could, I don't have that passion for that part of life anymore. That's been a tough thing to kind of accept.”
— Jimmie Johnson (autoweek.com)
What’s next
Johnson's final NASCAR race will be the 2027 Daytona 500, where he hopes to end his driving career with a win.
The takeaway
Jimmie Johnson's decision to retire from driving and focus on team ownership highlights the challenges even elite athletes can face in maintaining the necessary motivation and energy to compete at the highest levels of their sport over an extended career.
