Legendary driver and 7-time champion Jimmie Johnson will continue to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2025. The 2024 campaign wasn’t something to rave about, as he often found himself on the receiving end of things. Johnson competed in nine Cup Series races in 2024, but this year he is only scheduled to race at the Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600.
The co-owner of the Legacy Motor Club will pilot the No. 84 Toyota Camry at Daytona and Charlotte. Carvana will serve as the primary sponsor for these two events. “I’m so proud of the relationship we have built with Carvana. They have always been supportive of my dreams and always find innovative ways to connect with fans. As my days behind the wheel of a racecar continue to wind down, the partnership with Carvana continues to celebrate my career, and it’s such an honor.” Jimmie Johnson said this in a press release.
From nine races to just two was a significant drop, but something bigger might be at play here. If Johnson manages to qualify for the Daytona 500, the race at Charlotte Motor Speedway will mark his 700th Cup Series start. He has bagged eight wins at the historic racetrack, and four of those were crown jewel victories. However, the fans discovered a hidden motive behind Johnson’s two-race schedule. Stating that the 49-year-old is planning to call it quits from NASCAR racing on his 700th start.
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Seven-time Cup Series champion concluding his NASCAR chapter on his 700th race sounds like a storied finish. Although there’s a possibility of Johnson announcing that he could participate in more races this year, fans were sold on their theory. Some even wondered if his plans would change in case he didn’t qualify for the Great American Race.
Fans believe Jimmie Johnson will hang his boots from NASCAR racing in 2025
This year the Daytona 500 could see more than 44 entries competing at the Duels. Last year Johnson managed to qualify after a P28 finish, but things could get hairy this time around. So this could alter his plans to retire at Charlotte if he doesn’t make the cut at Daytona? Well, this fan had an alternate plan that could help Johnson achieve his objectives in 2025. “And he noted that Charlotte is where he made his first start. All of that sounds like he’s planning to call it after Charlotte. I wonder if he doesn’t make Daytona, if he’ll try Charlotte again next year (or maybe the Roval) to get to 700 and finish where he started?”
Going by the announcement, there were no hints of the former HMS driver competing in more races this season. In the history of NASCAR racing, only 20 drivers have managed to reach the 700th race mark. Kyle Busch was the most recent driver to etch himself into history. While there’s uncertainty surrounding his Daytona 500 qualification, this fan was hoping for the best outcome so that Johnson could have his dream finish to his NASCAR career. “This reads to me like Jimmie just wants to hit 700 career starts and call it a career. I definitely want Jimmie to make the 500.”
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Johnson was eyeing to go level with NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip by registering one more race win, making it 84. This would cement his spot in fifth place as the all-time leading race winner in NASCAR, but he wasn’t able to tame the Next-Gen car. Not to forget, he has now added the responsibility of his team, Legacy Motor Club, as an owner, and he would like to transition into that role. All of these factors combined really planted the seeds in the mind of the fans that 2025 indeed could be the last year for Johnson. “Wonder if 2025 will be his last year competing part-time…”
Well, ardent Jimmie Johnson fans couldn’t help but paint the best possible scenario in their heads. Imagine Johnson finally getting his 84th career win at the racetrack where he started his Cup Series journey. It sounds like a perfect story; while his struggles with the Next Gen car have been well-documented, his fans wanted the best for their favorite driver. “I hope he wins Charlotte; it’d be a fitting cap to his career.”
Now it is indeed hard to predict who could win the Daytona 500 race. The superspeedway races have been a wild card feature, with fuel-saving strategy and pack racing in play; any driver on their day could win the iconic race. This is why a few of them were rooting for Jimmie Johnson to win the crown jewel race to mark a perfect send-off. “I want Jimmie to win the 500.”
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What are your thoughts on these theories made by fans on social media? Will Jimmie Johnson leave NASCAR racing for good, or will he come back for more?