Jimmie Johnson‘s full-time racing profession has lengthy been within the rearview. However at 50 years previous, there’s nonetheless some bucket checklist gadgets he’d like to satisfy.
Johnson has saved up a restricted schedule since retiring from full-time NASCAR Cup Sequence competitors after the 2020 season. That can proceed sooner or later, he stated.
“I’ve discovered a very nice steadiness with Carvana and their help to permit me to chase these concepts. I used to be in a position to chase IndyCar with them, I used to be in a position to go sports activities automobile racing with Ally and Hendrick Motorsports, the Le Mans within the G56 car, again within the Cup automobile, end third within the Daytona 500 right here in 2025 and actually simply attempting to determine how you can do extra of that,” Johnson not too long ago stated on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
“Working at a excessive cadence within the Cup Sequence is basically, actually troublesome, and I had lots of publicity to that final 12 months operating the 9 occasions. The vehicles are so particular, and the best way you drive them, the staff help, pit stops, all these totally different components are actually robust to do on a restricted schedule. However for the proper races and the proper causes, that basically makes lots of sense. I’d like to proceed to develop and tick extra of those bucket checklist alternatives off my checklist.”
Jimmie Johnson nonetheless believes he can win
Since 2023, Johnson has competed in 14 races for his staff, Legacy Motor Membership. Johnson struggled to race inside the highest 30 in 2023 and 2024 earlier than ending third within the 2025 Daytona 500. That gave him a lift.
So far as his 2026 schedule, Johnson introduced final week he’ll race at Coronado Naval Base in NASCAR’s inaugural occasion in San Diego. Whether or not in San Diego or elsewhere, Johnson doesn’t simply wish to run some laps; he needs to win. He’s acquired 83 Cup wins to his identify, and he wish to make it 84, driving the No. 84 automobile for Legacy.
“That was a really good day [Daytona]. I hope to have extra pictures [at that]. We don’t actually converse of the podiums in our trade however to complete third and basically be on the rostrum was an unbelievable alternative,” Johnson stated. “Man, the 84th win, I wanna imagine that chance is there a technique form or one other. To be within the 84 automobile chasing that 84th win, I actually wish to tick that field.”
