Seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Jimmie Johnson has declared his readiness for the 2026 Daytona 500 through a recent post on X. The veteran driver is aiming to secure his third win at this prestigious event, entering the race with a guaranteed starting spot via the Open Exemption Provisional (OEP).
After finishing on the podium in last year’s Daytona 500, Johnson returns for his second consecutive attempt, piloting the No. 84 Carvana Toyota. Although the OEP assures his entry as an established driver, it requires him to begin the race from the rear of the pack.
Details of Johnson’s Team and Recent Developments
Jimmie Johnson’s team, Legacy Motor Club (LMC), recently won a charter dispute against Rick Ware Racing, securing the No. 51 entry. However, RFK Racing will lease this spot for the 2026 season, meaning LMC won’t have their third car until 2027. This timeline allows the team an entire year to prepare.
Currently, Legacy Motor Club fields drivers Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek in the No. 43 and No. 42 Toyotas, respectively. Despite some top-five finishes—Jones had four and Nemechek two—the pair finished outside the top 20 in the points standings last season. Johnson himself reached a career milestone with his 700th Cup Series start at Charlotte Motor Speedway, though a severe wreck caused him to finish last in that event.
Scott Dixon Considers NASCAR Experience with Johnson’s Team
Six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon has expressed interest in competing in NASCAR, potentially driving for Jimmie Johnson’s Legacy Motor Club. Dixon referenced Helio Castroneves’s recent participation in the Daytona 500 as inspiration for a similar “one-off” NASCAR appearance.
“There’s been a little bit of action going with the possibility of doing some one-offs, whether it is a road course, or Daytona, you know, Helio [Castroneves] did it just recently as well. I went there last year to check it out. I’ll probably try and go if there isn’t a conflict, I think we’ll be out in Phoenix around that time, but I may go to Daytona this year and just check it out.”
Scott Dixon, IndyCar Champion
“Jimmie said he’s definitely got a seat open, but the hard part for me is to try and get something okayed by Chip [Ganassi]. That’s gonna be quite difficult,” he added.
Scott Dixon, IndyCar Champion
Johnson and Dixon share a history as teammates during Johnson’s IndyCar stint in 2021 and 2022, and they have maintained a close friendship since then.
Anticipation Builds as Daytona 500 Draws Near
With just one week remaining before the 2026 Daytona 500, excitement around Jimmie Johnson’s return continues to grow. Carvana, the sponsor of Johnson’s No. 84 Toyota, expressed enthusiasm with a countdown post on X, which Johnson himself reshared alongside his brief rallying message, “Let’s go!”
“ONE. WEEK. OUT. 🏁 @JimmieJohnson returns to Daytona for the 2026 #DAYTONA500”
Carvana, Sponsor
The upcoming race not only marks another significant chapter for Johnson but also highlights the ongoing evolution of Legacy Motor Club and its drivers as they prepare for future seasons. With the 2026 season underway, all eyes will be on Johnson’s performance as well as the potential crossover appearance of Scott Dixon, reflecting the dynamic connections between NASCAR and IndyCar.
https://twitter.com/JimmieJohnson/status/2020525873506521384
