Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson has confirmed he will compete in the 2025 season, albeit with a scaled-back schedule of just two races: the Daytona 500 and the Coca-Cola 600. The announcement has fueled speculation among fans that Johnson may be planning to retire from racing after hitting a career milestone of 700 starts.
A farewell season in the making?
Johnson, now 49, will drive the No. 84 Toyota Camry for Legacy Motor Club, the team he co-owns. Sponsored by Carvana, he’ll compete in the Daytona 500 on February 18 and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25.
While Johnson hasn’t explicitly stated that 2025 will mark the end of his racing career, fans and analysts have noted the significance of these two events. The Coca-Cola 600, where Johnson has secured eight career victories (including four crown jewel wins), could be a symbolic curtain call if it marks his 700th career Cup Series start.
“I’m so proud of the relationship we have built with Carvana,” Johnson said in a press release. “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.”
Milestones and nostalgia
Johnson’s ties to Charlotte Motor Speedway run deep. Not only has the track been the site of some of his greatest triumphs, but it was also where he made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2001. This sentimental connection has not gone unnoticed by fans, who suspect Johnson is carefully crafting his final moments in the sport.
Fan reactions have been buzzing with speculation:
- “Charlotte is where he made his first start. All of that sounds like he’s planning to call it after Charlotte.”
- “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.”
- “Wonder if 2025 will be his last year competing part-time…”
A scaled-back 2025 schedule
Johnson’s decision to race just two events this season comes after a challenging 2024 campaign, where he participated in nine races but struggled to make an impact. His focus on the Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600 reflects a more selective approach, aiming to compete in high-profile events that hold personal and professional significance.
The Daytona 500 represents a chance for Johnson to contend on NASCAR’s biggest stage, while the Coca-Cola 600 offers the potential for an emotional farewell at a track where his legacy was built.
What’s next for Jimmie Johnson?
While Johnson’s future beyond 2025 remains uncertain, his two-race schedule hints at a driver considering his legacy and priorities as his racing career winds down. Fans will undoubtedly rally behind him as he aims for a strong performance in the Daytona 500 and potentially celebrates his 700th start at Charlotte, capping off an illustrious career.
Should he officially announce his retirement later this year, Johnson’s final chapter will undoubtedly be one of nostalgia, celebration, and gratitude from the NASCAR community.