NASCAR Legend Jimmie Johnson to Retire After 2027 Daytona 500

Seven-time Cup Series champion will focus on leadership and building LEGACY MOTOR CLUB after final Daytona race

Feb. 14, 2026 at 11:07pm

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Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson announced that the 2027 Daytona 500 will be his final race in the Cup Series. Johnson, who has won the Daytona 500 twice, plans to continue racing in other series but will step away from stock car racing's premier level after the 2027 season.

Why it matters

Jimmie Johnson is one of the most decorated drivers in NASCAR history, with seven Cup Series titles tied for the most ever. His retirement from the Cup Series will mark the end of an era and the departure of a true legend from the sport's top level of competition.

The details

Johnson, who has 83 career Cup Series victories, walked away from full-time driving after the 2020 season and has since competed in the IndyCar Series, become a partial owner of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, and raced in various bucket-list events. He will make his 23rd start in the Daytona 500 on Sunday, having won the prestigious race in 2006 and 2013.

  • Johnson announced his plans on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
  • The 2027 Daytona 500 will be Johnson's final race in the Cup Series.

The players

Jimmie Johnson

A seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion who is one of the most decorated drivers in the sport's history.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB

The racing team that Johnson is a partial owner of, where he will focus his energy after retiring from the Cup Series.

Tyler Gibbs

The vice president of Toyota, who praised Johnson's accomplishments and legacy in the sport.

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What they’re saying

“I've been fortunate to accomplish more than I ever imagined in this sport. 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. I am going to focus all of my energy on leading and building a world-class organization.”

— Jimmie Johnson

“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. 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.”

— Tyler Gibbs, Toyota Vice President

What’s next

Johnson will make his 23rd start in the Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 15, 2026, as he begins his final season in the Cup Series.

The takeaway

Jimmie Johnson's retirement from the NASCAR Cup Series after the 2027 Daytona 500 will mark the end of an era for one of the sport's all-time greats. His focus on leadership and building LEGACY MOTOR CLUB signals his desire to leave a lasting impact on the sport beyond his driving career.