Jimmie Johnson will have a smaller NASCAR Cup Series schedule this season as he plans to compete in two of the sport’s biggest races.
Johnson will return to competition by attempting the season-opening Daytona 500 (Feb. 16) in the No. 84 Toyota for Legacy Motor Club, the team he co-owns. The second race will be the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (May 25). Carvana will be Johnson’s sponsor.
“I’m so proud of the relationship we have built with Carvana,” Johnson said. “They have always been supportive of my dreams and always find innovative ways to connect with fans. As my days behind the wheel of a race car continue to wind down, the partnership with Carvana continues to celebrate my career and it’s such an honor.”
The seven-time Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Fame member is a two-time winner of the Daytona 500. Johnson triumphed in the event in 2006, the same year he won his first championship, and in 2013. If he were to qualify for this year’s event, it would be Johnson’s 22nd start in the Daytona 500.
As for the longest race of the year, the Coca-Cola 600, Johnson has won it four times. When he takes the green flag in this year’s race, it will be his 700th start in the Cup Series.