NASCAR Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson. Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

Jimmie Johnson reveals when he'll make his last NASCAR Cup start

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Feb 14, 2026 11:02 AM ET

It's now officially known when NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson will make his final NASCAR Cup Series start.

The 83-time Cup Series winner and seven-time Cup Series champion announced Saturday that the 2027 Daytona 500 will be his final Cup Series race.

Johnson will compete in Sunday's Daytona 500 and the June 21 Cup Series race at Naval Base Coronado just outside of San Diego.

Johnson, the co-owner of LEGACY Motor Club, announced that he will drive a fourth LMC car in the 2027 Daytona 500, indicating that the organization will expand to four full-time entries for 2027.

Jimmie Johnson announces the 2027 Daytona 500 will be his final Cup race. @NASCARONFOX
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 14, 2026

Jimmie Johnson's legendary career

Johnson made his Cup Series debut in the 2001. His first full-time season came in 2002, and in 19 full-time campaigns with Hendrick Motorsports, Johnson built a legendary career.

Johnson's final full-time season was in 2020. He became a co-owner of LEGACY Motor Club in late 2022, making three starts with the team in 2023 and nine in 2024.

Johnson then became the team's majority owner in 2025 and ran two races. He finished third in the 2025 Daytona 500.

The 50-year-old driver did leave the door open to competition in NASCAR's two other national series. He will compete in the June 19 Craftsman Truck Series race at Naval Base Coronado.

The 2027 Daytona 500 will take place on Feb. 21, 2027. Johnson is slated to start 31st in Sunday's Daytona 500.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

More must-reads: