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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 25: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #84 Carvana Toyota, walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25, 2025 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Jimmie Johnson will race in the Daytona 500 2026 with a guaranteed spot on the grid. NASCAR confirmed that Legacy Motor Club secured a Daytona 500 provisional through the Open Exemption Provisional rule.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ll see you at @DAYTONA<\/a>, Seven-Time! @JimmieJohnson<\/a> is guaranteed a spot in the 68th running of the #DAYTONA500<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2014 NASCAR (@NASCAR) January 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Johnson will drive the No. 84 Carvana Toyota<\/a> for Legacy Motor Club in the 68th running of the NASCAR Daytona 500, scheduled for February 15. The race, known as the Great American Race 2026, will feature a 41-car field because of the exemption.<\/p>\n Johnson, a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and Hall of Famer, continues his part-time schedule<\/a> following his exit from full-time competition at the end of the 2020 season.<\/p>\n Open Exemption Provisional NASCAR rule explained<\/p>\n NASCAR introduced the Open Exemption Provisional NASCAR rule ahead of the 2025 season. The rule allows non-chartered teams to guarantee an entry for elite or high-profile drivers in select events. NASCAR created the provision as a promoter\u2019s choice option to add proven names to major races.<\/p>\n The Daytona 500 became the first event to use the rule. NASCAR later clarified the policy in March 2025. Under the updated rule, the Daytona 500 entry list expands to 41 cars whenever the provisional is granted. The change applies even if the driver qualifies on speed. Dual race results no longer decide whether a provisional is needed.<\/p>\n For Jimmie Johnson\u2019s Daytona 500 plans, Legacy Motor Club applied for the exemption and received approval. Johnson will appear on the official entry list as the 41st car in the field.<\/p>\n Legacy Motor Club Daytona 500 entry details<\/p>\n Johnson will race as a non-chartered driver for Legacy Motor Club\u2019s Daytona 500 efforts. While the exemption guarantees his start, NASCAR places limits on drivers who enter through the provisional. Johnson will not earn championship points or purse money from the race.<\/p>\n Despite those limits, Johnson remains eligible to win the event. A victory would earn him the Harley J. Earl Trophy and a place in the All-Star Race. Johnson is a two-time Daytona 500 winner, with victories in 2006 and 2013.<\/p>\n NASCAR will still use the Duel races to set much of the starting order. Johnson\u2019s final starting position will depend on his Duel performance. The Daytona 500 provisional secures entry only and does not guarantee a specific grid spot.<\/p>\n Jimmie Johnson\u2019s 2026 NASCAR return outlook<\/p>\n The Jimmie Johnson NASCAR return continues on a limited basis in Jimmie Johnson\u2019s 2026 plans. Daytona remains a key part of his schedule. Johnson has also confirmed a start later in the season at the street race near Naval Base Coronado in San Diego.<\/p>\n Johnson retired from full-time Cup Series competition after the 2020 season and entered the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2024. He returned to competition in 2023 while balancing his role as a team owner. Any expansion of his 2026 schedule will depend on whether Legacy Motor Club secures an additional charter.<\/p>\n As Speedweeks approach, Johnson\u2019s guaranteed<\/a> entry adds a familiar name to the field. His presence ensures one of NASCAR\u2019s most successful drivers will take the green flag in the NASCAR Daytona 500 once again.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tDogli Wilberforce<\/a> is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on NASCAR\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t