NASCAR icon Jimmie Johnson announced earlier this year that he would step away from part‑time competition after the 2026 season, setting the stage for what many are already calling his swan song in the Cup Series. His final start is scheduled for the 2027 Daytona 500, a race that will close the chapter on a career defined by seven championships and countless memorable moments.
A Final Chapter for a Racing Legend
The team he has been driving for, Legacy Motor Club, will field a full‑time entry next year, but the car number that will carry Johnson on his last outing remains undecided. Initially, the plan was to run the No. 13 as a tribute to the team’s investors, Knighthead Capital, yet Hendrick Motorsports chief Rick Hendrick later confirmed that Johnson would instead lease the iconic No. 48 for his final start.
Lowe’s, Johnson’s primary sponsor from 2001 through 2018, exited NASCAR after the 2018 season, but a recent post on X from the home‑improvement giant hinted at a possible reunion. The message, which tagged Ally and Carvana, read, “Need an ally for a last ride? Check your DMs.” The simple tease sparked a flurry of replies.
Johnson himself responded in kind, writing, “Let me put you guys in a group chat,” while Ally and Carvana chimed in with supportive messages. Fans quickly latched onto the exchange, interpreting it as a sign that the three brands might be plotting a one‑off partnership for the Daytona 500.
Although Johnson has previously downplayed any talk of a Lowe’s comeback, calling it “too far of a reach,” the social‑media banter suggests that the company could be coaxed into a limited‑term deal that would let the brand make a nostalgic return without committing to a full‑season program.
If the arrangement materializes, it would mark a bittersweet footnote to Johnson’s storied career, blending his on‑track legacy with a familiar off‑track partnership. The racing community awaits the green flag at Daytona, where the final chapter of a seven‑time champion’s saga will unfold.