Tricon Garage has unveiled the paint scheme for Jimmie Johnson’s upcoming NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series appearance, set for the inaugural San Diego street race later this year. The seven-time Cup Series champion is coming out of retirement to compete in this one-off event, driving the No. 1 Toyota Tundra in his home state of California. Johnson’s return highlights his continued passion for racing while adding anticipation to the unique street circuit event.
The hood of Johnson’s truck will feature Carvana as the primary sponsor, a brand he is already affiliated with through his co-ownership of the Legacy Motor Club in the NASCAR Cup Series. The livery sticks to Johnson’s familiar light blue and yellow color scheme, reminiscent of his part-time Cup Series runs in the #84 Carvana Toyota.
Several design elements on the truck pay tribute to Johnson’s past achievements. Lightning bolts adorn the sides, inspired by his 1995 Trophy truck, while the base design honors his 2008 Bristol truck, marking his only prior start in the Craftsman Truck Series.
Upcoming San Diego Street Race to Mark NASCAR’s Expanding Street Circuit Events
NASCAR has been experimenting with street races over the past three seasons, hosting events on the streets of Chicago from 2023 through 2025. These races included the Cup Series and the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, marking the first time the sport has ventured into urban street circuits.
The Chicago events saw Shane van Gisbergen win the first Cup Series street race in 2023 during his NASCAR debut, followed by Alex Bowman in 2024, with van Gisbergen claiming victory again in 2025. This summer, NASCAR announced the shift of their street race venue from Chicago to San Diego, scheduling a three-day event from June 19-21. The festivities will feature the Craftsman Truck Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and Cup Series all competing on the downtown San Diego streets.
Jimmie Johnson’s Multi-Series Return in 2026 Includes Truck and Cup Events
After retiring from full-time NASCAR competition at the end of 2020, Jimmie Johnson has returned to part-time racing stints. This year, his comeback includes the Truck Series race at San Diego driving for Tricon Garage, as well as two Cup Series events behind the wheel of the #84 for his own Legacy Motor Club team.
Johnson is set to compete in the Daytona 500 and then race in the inaugural San Diego street event, with the Truck Series race preceding the Cup Series race during the same weekend. His return to the track is a significant moment, offering fans an opportunity to see the seven-time champion back in action in multiple formats.
Before the 2022 season, Johnson partnered with fellow seven-time Cup Series champion Richard Petty to co-own Legacy Motor Club. The team runs two full-time Cup Series entries, with Erik Jones driving the #43 Toyota and John Hunter Nemechek also in a #43 Toyota. Johnson himself began part-time Cup appearances in 2023, recording a notable third-place finish at last year’s Daytona 500, marking Legacy Motor Club’s best result to date.
Throughout his full-time career, Johnson drove the #48 for Hendrick Motorsports, compiling 83 Cup wins and tying the record for seven championships shared with Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt.
Significance of Johnson’s Return and Future Expectations
Jimmie Johnson’s re-entry into NASCAR competition in both the Craftsman Truck Series and Cup Series underscores his enduring role in the sport’s landscape. His participation shines a spotlight on NASCAR’s expanding street race events and the growing presence of Legacy Motor Club in top-tier racing. As Johnson competes once more, fans watch eagerly to see if the seven-time champion’s performance can inspire fresh excitement and possibly influence upcoming seasons in NASCAR.
