IndyCar legends Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti made a notable appearance at the 2026 Daytona 500, showing support for seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson at the Daytona International Speedway. They were seen together in the Legacy Motor Club pitwall area, where Franchitti shared a selfie featuring Dixon and tagged Johnson and his team on social media.
Scott Dixon, a six-time IndyCar champion from New Zealand, has developed a strong friendship with Jimmie Johnson following Johnson’s stint in IndyCar with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2021 and 2022. Dixon had already attended the 2025 Daytona 500 to back Johnson and returned this year to continue his support.
Close Bonds Among Racing Icons Strengthen the Moment
Longtime friends Dario Franchitti and Jimmie Johnson have maintained a relationship spanning over 20 years, frequently communicating and meeting outside racing events. Dixon, Franchitti, and Johnson even shared Thanksgiving together in 2024. With the IndyCar season still on pause, Dixon, who races full-time for CGR, and Franchitti, serving as a team advisor and coach for Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR), made the trip to Daytona to support their friend and NASCAR legend.
During the race broadcast, the trio was visible alongside Legacy Motor Club as they cheered on Johnson. Franchitti posted a selfie with Dixon as Johnson competed on the track, writing,
“LGJKJ” which is the acronym for “Let’s go Jimmie Kenneth Johnson”
He tagged Johnson, Legacy Motor Club, and Dixon in the story, which Dixon later reshared on his own Instagram account.
In a recent episode of the Stickers & Send It podcast, Dixon revealed that Johnson has reserved a NASCAR seat for him at Legacy Motor Club, a team co-owned by the seven-time IndyCar champion, further cementing their partnership.
Dario Franchitti’s NASCAR Comeback Driven by Johnson’s Support
Dario Franchitti is preparing to make his NASCAR return by competing in the Truck Series, driving the No. 1 TRICON Garage entry. This will mark Franchitti’s first NASCAR race in 17 years, a significant comeback fueled by his conversation with Jimmie Johnson. Franchitti explained,
“I got the opportunity from literally a conversation with Jimmie. I said I thought it would be fun, I thought it’d be interesting to push myself again, to test myself, to do the whole process of trying to be competitive again. Since I stopped, I still do a lot of historic stuff; I’ve gotten to drive some really cool cars against some pretty good drivers. I guess this is more of the same. It’s just a modern truck.”
Dario Franchitti will participate in the Truck Series race at St. Pete, coinciding with an IndyCar weekend, offering a crossover of both American open-wheel and stock car racing disciplines.
Implications for IndyCar and NASCAR Partnerships
The presence of Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti at the Daytona 500 highlights the growing ties between IndyCar and NASCAR, especially through the Legacy Motor Club, which benefits from shared ownership and driver collaboration. Dixon’s potential NASCAR opportunities underscore a blending of top racing talent across series, while Franchitti’s return signals renewed interest from experienced drivers in competing across multiple racing formats.
As the IndyCar season approaches, fans and analysts will be watching how these partnerships and driver movements influence the dynamics both on and off the track. Dixon’s involvement with Legacy Motor Club and Franchitti’s upcoming NASCAR races could shape new competitive landscapes in American motorsports.
