Jimmie Johnson, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, announced that he intends to continue competing on a part-time basis in NASCAR following a tough crash in his 700th start at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Johnson, who now co-owns Legacy Motor Club and drives the #84 Toyota in select races, reflected on his future plans after the incident at the Coca-Cola 600, signaling his ongoing commitment to the sport.
Johnson Reflects on Milestone Race and Plans Ahead
During his 700th NASCAR Cup Series start at Charlotte, Johnson was involved in a crash that led to a Did Not Finish (DNF), marking a rough end to a milestone event. The 49-year-old driver said he plans to return to the track, although the exact schedule is not finalized. Johnson’s connection to Charlotte runs deep, as he also crashed during his NASCAR debut there in 2001.
Addressing the incident and his return prospects, Johnson stated:
“It’s been a very fun day, me at Indy (500)… to then come here and drive the (Coca-Cola) 600 in this car brought in by Toyota. Wish the results were a little better. Wish my 700th start was obviously better. I guess I did crash in my first start here, so, I don’t know. I’ll be back.” —Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Driver
Johnson completed a limited two-race schedule this year and told RACER.com he plans to increase his participation next year, but will keep his appearances fewer than the nine races he entered in 2023. His part-time role allows him to avoid direct competition with his Legacy Motor Club teammates John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones, who run full season campaigns in the #42 and #43 cars respectively.
Details of the 2025 Coca-Cola 600 and Race Outcome
The 2025 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte proved eventful, with Johnson’s early exit following a crash after losing control and colliding with the wall and fellow driver Connor Zilisch on lap 111. Meanwhile, Legacy Motor Club teammates fared better, with Erik Jones finishing 13th and John Hunter Nemechek 27th. The event’s winner was Ross Chastain of Trackhouse Racing, who claimed victory by overtaking William Byron in the final six laps.
Insight from Mario Andretti on Racing and Team Origins
On a related note, Jimmie Johnson’s NASCAR podcast, Never Settle, recently featured legendary racer Mario Andretti, who reflected on his team’s modest beginnings and their growth into a diverse racing operation. Andretti and his twin brother Aldo started with very limited resources, sharing a single helmet between two drivers. He remarked:
“Aldo (Andretti) and I had no idea. We had one car, two drivers, one helmet.” —Mario Andretti, Team Owner
Following a lighthearted exchange about helmet size, Andretti added:
“It had to fit. Aldo had the bigger head, so it was rather a mighty helmet.” —Mario Andretti, Team Owner
Today, Mario Andretti’s team competes in the IndyCar Series, Formula E, and Australia’s Supercars, with plans to enter Formula 1 next year as part of Cadillac’s new F1 team. The addition of Cadillac will increase the number of teams on the Formula 1 grid to eleven, marking the first time since 2016 that the series has more than 20 cars racing.
Johnson’s Role and Legacy Moving Forward
Jimmie Johnson’s transition from a full-time Cup Series driver to part-time competitor and team co-owner reflects his enduring passion for motorsports. By balancing selective race participation with his responsibilities at Legacy Motor Club, Johnson aims to stay actively involved in NASCAR while supporting the team’s full-time drivers. His announcement to “be back” reassures fans that his presence in the sport will continue beyond this challenging milestone.
As Johnson prepares for a selective but meaningful 2025 racing schedule, his future NASCAR part-time plans highlight a veteran driver’s ongoing commitment to compete at a high level while mentoring the next generation within his team.
