Jimmie Johnson, one of the most successful drivers in NASCAR history with seven Cup Series championships, has declared his strong intention to compete in the inaugural NASCAR street race in San Diego scheduled for 2026. Born in El Cajon, near San Diego, Johnson’s enthusiasm for the event stems from his deep local roots and personal connection to the area.
Following his partial retirement and a two-year stint in the NTT IndyCar Series, Johnson returned to NASCAR both as a part-time driver and owner of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB. His current focus on the upcoming San Diego race underlines his ongoing passion for the sport and desire to compete closer to home.
Background on Johnson’s Racing Career and Recent Activity
Johnson’s NASCAR legacy includes an impressive 83 Cup Series wins and a record-setting five consecutive championships. After stepping back from full-time competition, he raced sporadically in 2023 and 2024, mainly entering a handful of events. This season he limited himself to just the Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600 events.
Despite fewer races in recent years, the announcement that NASCAR will hold a race on the streets of San Diego has reignited Johnson’s drive to race actively. Growing up in El Cajon, Johnson recalls watching the evolution of local racing venues, including the closure of El Cajon Speedway, making the prospect of a high-profile NASCAR race in the region particularly meaningful.
Johnson’s Ambition to Compete in His Hometown
Johnson expressed intense excitement about the San Diego event, emphasizing that the opportunity to race there was once thought impossible. He stated,
“The desire to race in my hometown is off the charts,”
and pledged to work “aggressively” to secure a spot in the race. Should he not be able to compete, Johnson assured fans he would still be fully involved, supporting his team, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, and the event itself.
A recent social media post highlighted his determination:
“Asked by @Jordan_Bianchi if he will be competing in the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series event at San Diego, @JimmieJohnson says that he will be working hard to compete in the event. Johnson adds that his desire to race in his hometown is ‘off the charts.’”
—Joseph Srigley, NASCAR reporter
LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s Plans and Potential Increased Participation
With nearly a year until the race, nothing is finalized yet. LEGACY MOTOR CLUB is actively pursuing a third NASCAR Cup Series charter, which would allow the team to field a full-time third car. Johnson hinted this development could open the door for him to compete more frequently in the future, potentially increasing his race schedule beyond the limited starts he had in 2025.
Johnson remains optimistic about continuing his driving career, stating,
“I want to keep going. I want to stay in a car. I think it’s good for us. We’re hopeful to have a charter. Need to start building a team. There’s a chance that I run more races next year if we have a third charter on the docket and have a sponsor to bring along, team members to groom, a crew chief to get reps, a driver to get reps. There’s a lot of scenarios that are in play. I’m hopeful I can keep going.”
Future Outlook and What Fans Can Expect
As of now, Johnson does not have any more races scheduled for the current NASCAR Cup Series season, having already competed in the Daytona 500 and Charlotte events in 2025. However, the upcoming San Diego street race offers a promising opportunity for Johnson to race on familiar ground and potentially add a memorable chapter to his illustrious career.
When asked if the San Diego race might serve as his final NASCAR event, Johnson responded,
“It hasn’t crossed my mind. I want to respond with no, but who knows. We’ll have to do some planning over the off-season.”
This illustrates his determination to keep racing while also considering his future thoughtfully.
Jimmie Johnson’s commitment to the San Diego race reflects both personal pride and professional ambition, as he pursues a historically significant event close to home while helping expand LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s presence in NASCAR.