Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, has expressed strong enthusiasm about competing in the upcoming NASCAR race on the streets of San Diego, scheduled for 2026. The announcement of this new event has sparked excitement for Johnson, who was born and raised in El Cajon, near San Diego, and sees this race as a major personal and professional opportunity.
Background: Johnson’s Stellar Racing Career and Recent Activities
Widely regarded as one of the most accomplished drivers in NASCAR history, Johnson’s career boasts seven championships, including an unprecedented streak of five consecutive titles. After stepping back from full-time NASCAR competition about five years ago, he ventured briefly into the NTT IndyCar Series. Since then, Johnson has combined part-time driving with a leadership role as a team owner at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB.
In recent seasons, Johnson raced sporadically, competing in just three races in 2023 and nine the following year, before limiting his 2025 appearances to high-profile events such as the Daytona 500 and the Coca-Cola 600. With NASCAR’s upcoming San Diego street race now confirmed, Johnson’s eagerness to participate has intensified.
Deep Local Ties Fuel Johnson’s Desire to Race in San Diego
Growing up in El Cajon, located about 15 miles northeast of San Diego, Johnson recalls watching the region’s racing scene evolve, including the closure of the El Cajon Speedway. The prospect of a NASCAR event racing on San Diego’s streets—the first of its kind in the city—has a special significance for him, given his local roots and longtime connection to the area.
Johnson commented on the announcement:
“This is really exciting. I honestly didn’t think that NASCAR would ever be able to race in San Diego. Growing up in El Cajon, watching it develop and change so much, watching El Cajon Speedway sadly go away, it’s just a reality or thought of NASCAR in a traditional sense on an oval in San Diego, it just never seemed possible.”
Commitment to Competing and Supporting the Event
Johnson made his intentions clear regarding participation in the inaugural San Diego race. He said,
“Obviously, it’s not news, but the desire to race in my hometown is off the charts. I will aggressively work on being in the event. If for some reason I am not able to pull that off, I will absolutely be there and help support LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, all of our partners, NASCAR, the city.”
“#NASCAR… Asked by @Jordan_Bianchi if he will be competing in the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series event at San Diego, @JimmieJohnson says that he will be working hard to compete in the event.Johnson adds that his desire to race in his hometown is ‘off the charts’.” — Joseph Srigley, Reporter
Currently, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB is working toward acquiring a third NASCAR Cup Series charter, which would allow the team to field another full-time car. Johnson indicated that this could open the door for him to compete in more races in 2026 than in recent seasons, including the San Diego event.
Future Plans and Potential Career Continuation
Although the San Diego race generates speculation about a possible farewell event for Johnson, the driver is reluctant to confirm any plans to retire after this race. Instead, he emphasized his desire to remain active in racing, stating,
“It hasn’t crossed my mind. I want to respond with no, but who knows. We’ll have to do some planning over the off-season.”
Johnson further discussed his intentions:
“I want to keep going. I want to stay in a car. I think it’s good for us. We’re hopeful to have a charter. Need to start building a team. There’s a chance that I run more races next year if we have a third charter on the docket and have a sponsor to bring along, team members to groom, a crew chief to get reps, a driver to get reps. There’s a lot of scenarios that are in play. I’m hopeful I can keep going.”
Anticipating the 2026 San Diego Race and Johnson’s Role
With the San Diego NASCAR street race still nearly a year away, many details remain unsettled. Johnson does not currently have any scheduled NASCAR Cup Series races remaining for 2025 after his appearances at Daytona and Charlotte. However, the upcoming hometown race presents a meaningful opportunity for him to continue competing at a high level.
Johnson’s determination to participate and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s efforts to expand their presence underscore the potential for this event to be a highlight both for the driver’s career and for NASCAR’s expansion into new markets. The race promises to bring heightened attention to San Diego’s motorsport landscape and strengthen local fan engagement.
