Jimmie Johnson is set to mark a significant milestone this weekend at the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte Motor Speedway, making his 700th NASCAR Cup Series start while racing for Legacy Motor Club. Contrary to widespread speculation that this milestone might signal the end of his Cup Series career, insiders and Johnson himself have confirmed he has no immediate plans to retire and intends to continue racing beyond this event.
Johnson is widely regarded as one of NASCAR’s all-time greatest drivers. He made his full-time Cup Series debut in 2002 with Hendrick Motorsports and quickly rose to dominance. Over his career, Johnson has won a record-tying seven Cup Series championships, including an unprecedented streak of five consecutive titles from 2006 to 2010. His career achievements include more than 200 top-five finishes and over 340 top-ten finishes, firmly establishing his place among the sport’s legends.
After stepping back from full-time competition, Johnson transitioned into a co-owner role at Legacy Motor Club, where he still competes part-time in the Cup Series driving the No. 84 car. Despite some struggles in recent years with the Next Gen car, including mostly finishes outside the top 25, Johnson showed a strong performance earlier this season by finishing third at the Daytona 500, his only top-25 finish in a Legacy car so far.
For this landmark 700th start, Johnson’s No. 84 Toyota Camry will sport a unique, custom paint scheme designed by his primary sponsor, Carvana. The design is a dynamic throwback featuring Johnson’s signature neon yellow numbers, a tribute to his iconic No. 48 championship-winning car. The paint scheme also incorporates bold Carvana branding and American flag-inspired stripes, reflecting a modern, patriotic look. This design not only honors Johnson’s illustrious career but also his current role as co-owner and driver for Legacy Motor Club.
Adding further significance, the car will pay tribute to 1st Lt. Mathew Robert Davis, USMC, a fallen service member. This memorial is part of NASCAR’s “600 Miles of Remembrance” initiative and was made possible through a partnership with CarVets, Carvana’s veteran-focused employee resource group. The timing of the race over Memorial Day weekend amplifies the tribute’s emotional resonance.
Johnson shared a heartfelt video and message on social media reflecting on his career highlights, including his first Cup Series start, his first victory, and all seven championships. He emphasized the personal significance of returning to Charlotte—the very track where his Cup career began and where he now reaches this milestone. Johnson described himself humbly as “just a guy from California who wanted to race,” underscoring the long and fulfilling journey that brought him to this point.
Regarding his future, Johnson has made it clear that the 700th start is not a farewell. He expressed hope to participate in more races this year if opportunities arise and indicated plans to continue racing into next season. Johnson also mentioned the possibility of helping to build Legacy Motor Club’s third car, which could involve him driving a substantial number of races next year. This outlook dispels rumors that the milestone would mark the end of his Cup Series career.
Jimmie Johnson’s 700th NASCAR Cup Series start at the Coca-Cola 600 is a momentous occasion celebrating one of the sport’s greatest drivers. The event features a special tribute through a custom paint scheme honoring his legacy and fallen veterans. Despite speculation, Johnson plans to continue racing beyond this milestone, balancing his roles as driver and team co-owner. His journey from a young racer from California to a seven-time champion and NASCAR icon continues to inspire fans and the racing community alike.
