Jimmie Johnson won't regret 'second go' at NASCAR retirement

Jimmie Johnson retired from full-time NASCAR competition at the end of the 2020 season, only to run 16 Cup races since then, driving for the team he co-owns, LEGACY Motor Club. 

But the 2027 Daytona 500 will be Johnson's final NASCAR start, and the Hall of Famer won't have any regrets.

No regrets from Jimmie Johnson on Cup retirement

"I'm on my second go of this," Johnson said Friday on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. "Certainly from a Cup standpoint, my final time in a Cup car will be there at the Daytona 500 in 2027. I am quite occupied in and quite motivated, invigorated, filling that competitive purpose bucket as an owner at LEGACY Motor Club.

"It really is time for me to stay focused on that on Sundays. If an off-road truck opportunity pops up or something else, I'm definitely open to it. But fully focused on LEGACY."

While Johnson will drive an LMC Toyota at Daytona next February, it'll be adorned with the No. 48 that he made famous during his 20-year tenure at Hendrick Motorsports. Rick Hendrick permitted Johnson to use the number, which is currently driven by HMS driver Alex Bowman, in next year's Daytona 500 as he competes in his final race. 

The 2027 Daytona 500 is set for February 21, 2027. It will be the 703rd and final start of Johnson's illustrious career, which includes seven championships and Daytona 500 victories in 2006 and 2013.