Johnson's Iconic Return
Jimmie Johnson Secures Permission to Use Iconic Number for Final Daytona 500 Race
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Jimmie Johnson will close out his NASCAR Cup Series career in style. The seven-time champion has been granted permission to race the iconic No. 48 for his final start — the 2027 Daytona 500, according to St. Augustine Record.
Johnson, who is part-owner of Legacy Motor Club, will drive in the race as a special one-off entry. The No. 48 is the number he made famous during his record-tying championship run with Hendrick Motorsports.
No. 48 Defined Johnson's Hall-of-Fame Career
The No. 48 is not just a number for Johnson — it is his identity. He drove it to seven Cup Series championships between 2006 and 2016, tying Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr. for the all-time record. He also won five titles in a row from 2006 to 2010, a feat no other driver has matched.
Johnson stepped away from full-time NASCAR racing after the 2020 season. He has made limited starts since then. Running the No. 48 one final time at Daytona gives his Cup career a full-circle ending at the sport's most famous race.
Legacy Motor Club Sends Its Owner Out With the Right Number
Legacy Motor Club currently runs the No. 84 and No. 42 cars in Cup competition. The No. 48 belongs to another team, which means Johnson needed special permission to use it for the Daytona race, according to Tallahassee Democrat.
Getting that clearance is a notable gesture from the NASCAR community. It signals respect for Johnson's legacy and allows him to close his career on his own terms. Legacy Motor Club, which Johnson co-owns, will field the car for the event.
2027 Daytona 500 Will Be Johnson's Final Cup Start
The 2027 Daytona 500 is still roughly two years away. But the plan is already set. Johnson will enter the race as a driver and owner, then step away from NASCAR Cup competition for good, according to Florida Today.
The Daytona 500 is the biggest race on the NASCAR calendar. It draws the largest crowds and the highest TV ratings of any Cup event each season. Choosing it as his final start ensures Johnson exits the sport on the grandest stage possible.
A Send-Off Befitting a Seven-Time Champion
Few drivers in NASCAR history have earned the kind of farewell Johnson is getting. Racing the No. 48 at Daytona ties his career together neatly. He won the Daytona 500 in 2006 — the same year his championship dynasty began, according to Yahoo Sports.
Johnson's final race will not just be a retirement lap. He will compete for real in one of NASCAR's most unpredictable events. Daytona's superspeedway racing means any driver — even one making a one-off appearance — can win on any given day.
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