During the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson’s 700th NASCAR start ended prematurely due to a collision with 18-year-old rookie Connor Zilisch. The crash unfolded on Lap 116 of NASCAR’s longest race, symbolizing a rare and dramatic moment where racing’s established veteran and emerging talent collided on the track.
Zilisch, competing in the No. 87 Red Bull Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing, expressed a mix of admiration and disappointment after the race. The young driver has long viewed Johnson as a role model, and although their encounter resulted in a crash, Zilisch conveyed appreciation for having the chance to compete alongside his idol.
When asked about racing against Johnson by Sports Illustrated reporter Toby Christie, Zilisch said:
“Yeah, he’s one of my heroes. It was an honor to get the chance to race against Jimmie. I hate that we crashed, I guess, with each other. He had an issue and came down into me. But to share the track with a guy like him, making his 700th start, it was really cool. So if I’m half the driver he is one day, that’d be pretty awesome.”
Johnson qualified 17th, ahead of notable drivers such as Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott, piloting the No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota. Despite this promising start, Johnson’s race was cut short as he became the first competitor to retire, completing only 111 laps before the multi-car accident unfolded.
Rookie Zilisch’s Resilience: Finishing Strong Amid High Stakes
In contrast to Johnson’s early exit, Connor Zilisch finished the race, completing the full 600 miles and securing a 23rd-place result in only his second Cup Series start. Following an earlier Did Not Finish (DNF) at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) that season, Zilisch’s performance at Charlotte marked a personal achievement and demonstrated resilience under pressure. Prior to the race, the symbolic exchange between Zilisch and Johnson echoed moments from NASCAR history, recalling the famed crossover race of Jeff Gordon and Richard Petty in 1992. The meaning deepened after their on-track collision, connecting the past and future of the sport in a profound way.
Jimmie Johnson’s Reflection After Early Departure from Coca-Cola 600
Jimmie Johnson’s Memorial Day weekend was notably busy. Unlike Kyle Larson, who attempted the demanding Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 “Double,” Johnson took part only in select festivities. At the Indianapolis 500, Johnson gave NFL icon Tom Brady a ride in a two-seater before traveling to Concord, North Carolina, for his milestone 700th NASCAR Cup start at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
However, the demanding Charlotte track proved challenging for Johnson. He struggled early, dropping out of the top 20 and falling outside the top 30 during Stage 1 of the race. On Lap 116, just eight laps after a restart, Johnson lost control exiting Turn 4, striking the wall before sliding into Connor Zilisch’s path and involving Cole Custer in the collision that ended his race.
Reflecting on the incident during a post-race NASCAR interview, Johnson attributed the crash to a miscalculation of the Next Gen car’s behavior in traffic conditions:
“I just made a rookie mistake… the traffic situations are just different with this car. My instincts, I kind of reacted in a way that I shouldn’t have. And by the time I realized it, it was too late.”
The crash concluded Johnson’s race far sooner than anticipated, while Ross Chastain dramatically emerged as the race winner after starting from the back of the field.
What Lies Ahead for Jimmie Johnson
Despite the disappointment, Johnson does not currently have any scheduled starts for the 2025 season. However, the 48-year-old Legacy Motor Club co-owner has expressed intentions to potentially return to NASCAR competition in 2026. This pause in his driving career allows Johnson to focus on his roles off the track, yet his competitive spirit and iconic status suggest he remains an influential figure within the sport’s evolving landscape.
