Seven time NASCAR Cup Series champion and Legacy Motor Club co-owner Jimmie Johnson no longer runs a full time racing schedule but he does run a few races each season.
Johnson is kicking off the 2026 NASCAR season by running in the Daytona 500 and to guarantee that his number 84 car will be a part of the field, Johnson is using the Open Exemption Provisional. The use of the Open Exemption Provisional will also ensure that the field will have 41 cars at race start.
NASCAR created the Open Exemption Provisional last year – a “promoter’s choice” to give world-class drivers an opportunity to race. Trackhouse Racing used the OEP last year for Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves to race in the 500.
A two time Daytona 500 winner, Johnson will be eligible to win the trophy and an All-Star Race spot but will not be permitted to take home the prize money or earn any points.
Johnson has also announced that he will drive the Tricon Garage number one truck in the Craftsman Truck Series at the street course at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego on June 19. This will be Johnson’s second time behind the wheel of a Craftsman Truck Series vehicle; his first was in 2008 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Johnson spoke on his plans to drive in the Truck Series saying, “racing in San Diego means everything to me — it’s home. Getting behind the wheel of a Truck Series entry has been on my mind for a while. The competition is incredible, and doing it at a historic street race on a Navy base in my hometown? That’s special. I’m grateful to Tricon and Carvana for making this happen, and honestly, I can’t think of a better way to honor our military and celebrate where I’m from.”
Racing on the streets of the Naval Base, it is the first time that NASCAR has held an event on an American military base. Replacing the Chicago Street races, the course a Coranado is a 16 turn, 3.4 mile course.
Doing the double that weekend, Johnson will drive his number 84 car in the Cup Series race at Coronado on June 21.