7-time champ Jimmie Johnson and owner of Legacy Motorclub made history once again at the 67th Daytona 500 on Sunday. Johnson has been chasing a top finish since his 2023 return to NASCAR as a part-time driver. The No. 84 driver started in 40th from row 20 but impressively finished in third position.
Though Johnson didn’t win the Daytona 500, it was close enough to stir excitement. 2024’s finish at Daytona International Speedway was 28th so achieving the top 3 was huge. The finish also marked another milestone, Jimmie Johnson’s most outstanding performance in a NextGen vehicle thus far.
However, there’s much more to celebrate. Legacy Motorclub drivers, including No. 43 Erik Jones, finished P12 and No. 42 John Hunter Nemechek P5. This was a proud moment for Johnson, who is marking a new beginning with Legacy as the team’s sole owner. Here’s what he had to say about notching milestone achievements as both an owner and driver.
Jimmie Johnson’s Remarks on the Daytona 500 Outcome
Jimmie Johnson may only be running part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, but he defied the odds on Sunday. This spoke volumes about the driver despite rain delays, a 10-car wreck on lap 71, and tight security due to President Trump’s pre-race visit. Still, the selfless man he is, Johnson couldn’t help but praise his teammates above himself.
“I have emotions that I didn’t expect to have,” Johnson said during a post-race interview. “I’ve never been in this position as an owner,” he added. He capitalized on these remarks by expressing his immense pride in his team and anticipation of the journey ahead.
“It’s really a different set of emotions,” he said. “The pride that I have in this resolve and the pride I have in this company, knowing what we’re trying to achieve and the journey we’re on, I am so satisfied, so happy right now.” he continued.
What’s Next for Johnson?
Jimmie Johnson’s performance on Sunday proved that the 7-time champ still has the “It Factor.” It seems he’s going nowhere fast and uncovered the Johnson we’ve come to know and love. When asked about his plans for the future, he remarked, “The situation I’m in, being a recent team owner and driving my own equipment, it was just something I didn’t have on my bingo card growing up, and I never dreamed of.”
He added that he’s eager for the new experiences this will bring him and his team. Teammate John Hunter Nemechek praised his boss for his determination, recalling when Johnson took the white flag at P15.“Jimmie blew my doors off,” Nemechek said. “I don’t think he ever lifted,” he added. This further proves that Johnson has what it takes to continue making a name for himself in NASCAR.
Does this mean he’ll add more races to his schedule? Judging by his desire to experience new things as a driver and owner, it’s possible, but only time will tell. It’s definitely something to keep an eye on, and as the NASCAR community knows, Jimmie Johnson is full of surprises. So, stay tuned.
