Jimmie Johnson to Retire After 2027 Daytona 500

NASCAR legend confirms final race will be at iconic superspeedway

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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After more than two decades of competing in the Daytona 500, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson has announced that the 2027 edition of the race will mark the end of his driving career. Johnson, who returned to NASCAR in a part-time role after retiring from full-time competition in 2020, says the Daytona 500 is the perfect place to close out his legendary career.

Why it matters

Johnson's retirement will mark the end of an era in NASCAR, as the driver has been a fixture at the Daytona 500 for over 20 years. His seven championships and 83 Cup Series wins cement his status as one of the greatest drivers in the sport's history, and his farewell at the iconic Daytona race will be an emotional moment for both Johnson and his legions of fans.

The details

Johnson, who joined Hendrick Motorsports in 2002, has spent the last few years balancing driving duties with his role as co-owner of Legacy Motor Club. While he no longer competes full-time, Johnson has continued to make occasional starts, with his strongest performances coming at superspeedways like Daytona. A third-place finish at last year's Daytona 500 helped solidify his decision to end his career at the same track where it began.

  • Johnson joined Hendrick Motorsports in 2002.
  • Johnson won seven NASCAR Cup Series championships.
  • Johnson retired from full-time NASCAR competition in 2020.
  • Johnson will compete in his final Daytona 500 in 2027.

The players

Jimmie Johnson

A seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and one of the most successful drivers in the sport's history.

Legacy Motor Club

The race team co-owned by Jimmie Johnson, where he has been making part-time starts in recent years.

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What they’re saying

“No, it just made a lot of sense. To show up at Kansas and think that you're going have a shot to win, even when I ran a 9-race schedule, it's just not a truth that can really be seen or realized. Daytona, you can, Talladega, you can, Atlanta for sure. So, I want to show them being competitive and to have my last race in an event where I could truly win.”

— Jimmie Johnson (profootballnetwork.com)

“I imagine this year will be more reflection, and certainly, when we come back here next year, that'll happen again, but I'm now savoring and enjoying, the emotions, feelings, conversations, all the moments around the time I've spent in this sport and all the great times we had.”

— Jimmie Johnson (profootballnetwork.com)

“Man, anything with an engine. I was just with Marty and McGee, and, McGee mentioned the Bonneville Salt Flats, and, I mean, I've never been. I mean, that's something I should probably try to do, so I'm going figure out.”

— Jimmie Johnson (profootballnetwork.com)

“My focus and interest is truly building this race team. I don't have that passion for that part of life anymore, and that's been a tough thing to kind of accept.”

— Jimmie Johnson (profootballnetwork.com)

What’s next

Johnson will continue to balance driving duties with his ownership responsibilities at Legacy Motor Club in the lead-up to his final Daytona 500 in 2027. He has also expressed interest in pursuing speed record attempts at the Bonneville Salt Flats and potentially returning to endurance racing events like the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The takeaway

Jimmie Johnson's decision to retire after the 2027 Daytona 500 marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in NASCAR history. As one of the most dominant drivers of his era, Johnson's seven championships and 83 Cup Series wins have cemented his legacy as one of the greatest to ever compete in the sport. His farewell at the iconic Daytona race will be an emotional moment for both Johnson and his legions of loyal fans.