NASCAR: Sponsor Hints at Jimmie Johnson Reunion In 2027

August 4, 2026 - 04:45

Jimmie Johnson is planning one final lap. The seven-time Cup Series champion will return to the track for the 2027 Daytona 500, which he has confirmed will be the last race of his storied career.

The announcement came during the TNT pre-race show at Indianapolis last week, where it was revealed that Johnson will bring back his famous No. 48 car for the season opener. The news was paired with a hint from a longtime sponsor, suggesting a reunion that fans have been waiting years to see.

Johnson, who has not run a full Cup Series schedule since 2020, has made select starts over the past few seasons. But this is different. He has been clear that he wants to end his career on his own terms, and what better stage than the Great American Race.

The 2027 Daytona 500 will mark 21 years since Johnson won his first of two Daytona 500s in 2006. He also won the race in 2013. A final start in that event carries a certain kind of symmetry, a chance to close the book where so much of his legacy began.

Sponsor speculation has been building for months, and the TNT broadcast confirmed that talks are already underway. The identity of the sponsor has not been officially named, but the hint was enough to get the garage talking.

Johnson remains the only driver in NASCAR history to win five consecutive Cup titles, a record that still stands. His final start will be a moment for the sport to celebrate one of its all-time greats, and for fans to say goodbye one last time.