Jimmie Johnson is set for a dramatic Jimmie Johnson Truck Series return, making his first Craftsman Truck Series appearance since 2008 in a special one-off event at San Diego this June. The NASCAR legend, seven-time Cup Series champion, and El Cajon native will race the No. 1 truck for Tricon Garage in a moment that electrifies both his fans and the broader motorsports world.
Johnson’s Long-Awaited Comeback to Truck Racing
Back in August 2008 at Bristol Motor Speedway, Johnson made his lone Craftsman Truck Series appearance as he dominated the Cup Series, leading 29 laps before a crash on lap 101 cut his night short. After that race, Johnson shifted his priorities to his Cup career, amassing 83 Cup victories and securing a place in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. For nearly two decades, he has stayed away from the Truck Series, marking his return as especially remarkable for both the sport and fans who followed his extraordinary career trajectory.
Now, in 2026, Johnson’s return is confirmed. NASCAR journalist Kelly Crandall broke the news:
“Jimmie Johnson will drive the No. 1 truck for Tricon Garage in the inaugural event at San Diego in June. It’ll be his first start in the Craftsman Truck Series since 2008.”
— Kelly Crandall, Journalist
This historic event is set against the backdrop of NASCAR’s innovative new San Diego street race—a 3.4-mile, 16-turn circuit along the city’s scenic waterfront. Carvana, already a familiar backer for Johnson’s NASCAR Cup efforts, will serve as the truck’s principal sponsor and will also back Johnson’s No. 84 Cup entry for the following day’s race with Legacy Motor Club.
The anticipation throughout the NASCAR world is tangible as Johnson ties his latest effort to his selective racing schedule for 2026, a calendar that notably also includes another Daytona 500 appearance. Johnson, deeply connected to his Southern California roots, underlined what this moment means to him, stating:
“Racing in San Diego means everything to me – it’s home.”
— Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Driver
He continued with even greater emotion:
“Getting behind the wheel of a Truck Series entry has been on my mind for a while. The competition is incredible, and doing it at a historic street race on a Navy base in my hometown? That’s special. I’m grateful to TRICON and Carvana for making this happen, and honestly, I can’t think of a better way to honor our military and celebrate where I’m from.”
— Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Driver
Tricon Garage displayed its excitement on social platforms, offering a spirited welcome to the seven-time champion, with visuals featuring Johnson alongside the No. 1 truck that he will pilot.
Why San Diego Is More Than Just a Race
The selection of San Diego as the site for Johnson’s return adds significant personal meaning to the Jimmie Johnson Truck Series return story. Johnson grew up in nearby El Cajon, and competing on a brand-new course, woven into the city’s military heritage and coastal venues, brings his career full circle. The street course, built along the San Diego waterfront and set on a Navy base, amplifies his connection to home while providing a showcase for NASCAR’s evolving approach in attracting fans through unique event locations.
Carvana’s dual sponsorship for both the Truck Series and Cup Series events displays strong support for Johnson’s multifaceted 2026 campaign. Combined with Tricon Garage’s invitation, the moment highlights collaboration between leading teams and sponsors eager to honor both racing tradition and Johnson’s legacy.
Competition Heats Up Amid NASCAR’s Rising Stars
Johnson’s comeback will unfold against a backdrop of ferocious competition, with rising stars like Carson Hocevar, Rajah Caruth, and entrenched Truck Series athletes determined to make their mark. For Johnson, the challenge is both personal and professional—demonstrating his ongoing competitiveness after years away from the division, while also reminding fans of his championship-caliber driving ability.
Beyond adding Hall of Fame credentials to the field, Johnson’s participation is expected to attract additional attention from new fans and boost the overall profile of the Truck Series event, mirroring NASCAR’s razor-sharp focus on innovation, spectacle, and reaching untapped audiences.
Fan Tension Surrounds Daytona 500 Rule Change
While excitement for Johnson’s return to the Trucks is running high, his 2026 Daytona 500 entry is generating controversy as fans wrestle with recent rule modifications. Johnson will enter the Cup Series classic via NASCAR’s Open Exemption Provisional (OEP), a policy granting guaranteed start positions for elite non-chartered drivers to heighten the event’s prestige.
This change, which allows the field to expand to 41 cars regardless of qualifying speeds, means Johnson, fielding the No. 84 Carvana Chevrolet for Legacy Motor Club, cannot accrue points or collect purse earnings from the race.
Veteran motorsports journalist Bob Pockrass clarified the details:
“Legacy applied for and has been granted the ‘open exemption provisional’ … so Johnson is guaranteed a spot and field will be 41 cars. Johnson won’t get the purse $.”
— Bob Pockrass, Journalist
Some fans have expressed discontent online, questioning the automatic berth for star drivers and longing for the integrity of past rules. The removal of the traditional 40-car cap and introduction of open exemptions has clearly struck a nerve. A disappointed supporter posted:
“I’m a Jimmie Johnson fan, and I think this rule is so stupid. Race your way in or don’t race at all,”
— Anonymous Fan
Another reminisced:
“Why can’t we do 43 like it’s been for many years?”
— Anonymous Fan
Debate continues about the balance of drawing big names and protecting the achievement of qualifying by speed, as NASCAR weighs spectacle and accessibility against the proud heritage of competition.
The Road Ahead: What Johnson’s Return Means for NASCAR
Johnson’s decision to race in the Truck Series after an 18-year absence delivers both nostalgia and renewed energy to the sport. His selective schedule keeps attention on every appearance, from the San Diego street race to the Daytona 500. For NASCAR, it is an opportunity to bridge the sport’s past greatness and future ambitions, blending star power with the unpredictable drama of close-quarters truck racing.
San Diego’s inaugural street race and Johnson’s involvement signal a broader shift for NASCAR as it innovates with venue choices, adapts rules to spotlight elite talent, and embraces both the tradition of its most accomplished competitors and the hunger of its next generation. The outcome of Johnson’s racing weekend—both among the trucks and in NASCAR’s biggest spectacle—will not only shape his own legacy further, but also highlight the sport’s ongoing evolution for the fans, drivers, and organizations who continue to fuel its growth.
Jimmie Johnson will drive the No. 1 truck for Tricon Garage in the inaugural event at San Diego in June. It'll be his first start in the Craftsman Truck Series since 2008.
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) January 8, 2026
