2013! That’s the last time Jimmie Johnson won the Daytona 500. His last two outings at The Great American Race since his comeback from retirement haven’t been great—he failed to finish in 2023 and placed 28th in 2024. He had been chasing another strong performance at Daytona, but superspeedway racing was as much about survival as it was about speed. With wrecks shaping the outcome year after year, staying in contention until the final laps was a challenge in itself. However, the stars finally aligned for Johnson in 2025.
Stewart-Haas Racing closing shop in 2024 has ripples that are still being felt today. Most recently, at the Daytona 500! It was former SHR driver Cole Custer instigating a final lap crash that led William Byron to win and Johnson to finish third. However, a veteran crew chief, not Rodney Childers, from their setup moved to Legacy Motor Club and Jimmie Johnson has credited him for their success.
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Jimmie Johnson credits race strategy for impressive Daytona outing
The 2025 Daytona 500 was a race packed with drama, featuring rain delays, a significant 10-car wreck on lap 71, and heightened security due to President Trump’s pre-race visit. Amidst this chaos, Jimmie Johnson skillfully navigated the tumult to secure a remarkable third-place finish. “We had a, you know, great strategy, good race, fast car, good driving car, all those elements,” Johnson remarked, highlighting his team’s preparation amid the unpredictable race conditions.
A pivotal factor in Johnson’s success was his collaboration with crew chief Chad Johnston, who previously worked with Tony Stewart’s Stewart-Haas Racing. “Watch him [Chad Johnston] get the 84 car and team ready for this race was really a blessing,” Johnson said, emphasizing the effective game plan they executed throughout the race. Chad Johnston had two stints with Tony Stewart’s team, most notably in 2015 when he was Stewart’s crew chief in the #14 car. However, they only managed a 28th-place points finish that year. He saw the most success with Kyle Larson at Chip Ganassi Racing, where the duo bagged 6 wins from 2016 to 2020.
His second stint at SHR was short-lived and quite uneventful at the Daytona 500, as his driver Ryan Preece, only notched up 36th place DNF in 2023 and a 23rd place finish in 2024. However, experience rules everything, and to be fair, the 2025 Toyota’s were great at Daytona this weekend, and Johnston’s strategy was the icing on the cake.
Johnston’s tactical prowess shone through as Jimmie Johnson maneuvered through the field, showcasing his experience in superspeedway racing. “I mean he had a game plan from start to finish and we put ourselves in a really good position to start the third segment,” he noted, demonstrating the effectiveness of their strategy throughout the race. Johnson was behind the pack in 10th place entering Turn 3 of the final lap in overtime at the Daytona 500. While that might not sound as impressive, it was poised to be his first top-20 finish in that LMC Toyota. Then Johnson spoke on the biggest contributor to his top-3 finish.
Johnson emphasized the importance of staying out of trouble, stating, “And then of course at the end of the day, not being caught up in a wreck is such a big part of it.” This mindset proved crucial during the race, particularly with the wreck occurring mid-race, which eliminated several competitors. During the white flag for the final lap of the race, Cole Custer shoved into leaders Denny Hamlin and Austin Cindric on the inside line, causing them to wreck, leaving the outside open for William Byron, Tyler Reddick, and Jimmie Johnson to run through.
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While Johnson may not have claimed victory, his third-place finish at the 2025 Daytona 500 marked a significant achievement. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with Johnston and credited their combined efforts for the strong performance. As Johnson reflects on this race, it sets the stage for his continued journey in the NASCAR Cup Series.
What’s next for Jimmie Johnson?
Looking ahead, Jimmie Johnson is set to participate in NASCAR’s longest event, the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, on May 25. This venue holds a special significance for Johnson, as it’s where he made his debut in the NASCAR Cup Series. “Charlotte Motor Speedway is where I made my first start in the NASCAR Cup Series, and it’s always felt like ‘home’ to me,” he remarked, highlighting the emotional connection he has with the track.
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Johnson expressed enthusiasm for the new experiences this race will bring for both him and his team. As he embarks on this next chapter, questions arise about whether he will expand his schedule to include more races. Given his passion for exploring new opportunities as both a driver and an owner, and his Daytona 500 performance, there’s a possibility he might consider adding more events to his calendar. Having done a full IndyCar season in 2022, could we see Johnson compete in one-off IndyCar races? Time will tell.
For now, the NASCAR community eagerly awaits what Johnson has in store. Known for his unpredictability and willingness to embrace change, fans can expect surprises as the season progresses. With his rich history and competitive spirit, Jimmie Johnson’s journey continues to captivate the racing world, making it essential to stay tuned for what’s next.