Seven‑time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson is set to make his final Cup Series start at the 2027 Daytona 500, climbing back into the iconic No. 48 Chevrolet for what he has called a bittersweet farewell.
A Bittersweet Farewell
The reunion with his longtime sponsor Lowe’s, which backed the car from 2001 through 2018, appears all but impossible, Johnson acknowledged, as logistical hurdles and shifting partnership priorities have left the partnership in limbo.
Sponsorship Shifts and Final Arrangements
Instead, Ally Financial has served as the primary sponsor of the No. 48 since 2019, while online automotive retailer Carvana will continue to appear on the car for the Daytona 500, regardless of any changes to the primary sponsorship.
The arrangement was secured through a personal appeal from Johnson to Hendrick Motorsports founder Rick Hendrick, a move that was revealed during the Brickyard 400 pre‑race broadcast on TNT Sports.
The Final Countdown
Alex Bowman, who currently occupies the No. 48 for the remainder of the season, will run under a different number for the Daytona 500 before slipping back into the familiar No. 48 for the rest of his final campaign.
Johnson described the No. 48 as more than a number; it embodies people, relationships, memories and a defining chapter of his life, a sentiment that resonates as he prepares for his 703rd and final start.