Jimmie Johnson announces 18-year first after – Sports News
Jimmie Johnson has introduced a milestone return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, marking simply his second ever race within the sequence.
It might be Johnson‘s first begin within the sequence since 2008 and a uncommon profession second that comes on the heels of NASCAR’s controversial determination to guarantee him entry into the 2026 Daytona 500 at a financial price.
The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and Hall of Famer, who lately made an admission after the death of a beloved NASCAR character, confirmed he’ll be a part of TRICON Garage within the San Diego Truck Series race on June 19 at Naval Base Coronado, a street-course occasion that marks the first NASCAR race held on an energetic U.S. army set up.
The race, half of a distinctive three-day occasion in Johnson’s home state of California, might be solely the second Truck Series begin of his profession, his lone earlier look got here in 2008 at Bristol Motor Speedway. He can even be participating within the Cup Series race in San Diego the identical weekend.
NASCAR lately granted Johnson a assured spot within the 2026 Daytona 500 through the Open Exemption Provisional (OEP), a rule designed to permit achieved drivers entry into marquee occasions even when their workforce doesn’t maintain a constitution.
Under the provisional, Johnson is locked into the sector for what might be his twenty third Daytona 500 begin, increasing the normal 40-car grid to 41 entrants.
While he gained’t earn championship factors or prize money below the supply, his assured spot removes the uncertainty that often accompanies qualifying for non-chartered drivers.
The Daytona 500 has a particular place in Johnson’s profession. He captured victories within the “Great American Race” in 2006 and 2013, and in 2025 he demonstrated he nonetheless has the aggressive fire by ending third within the occasion final yr.
Partnering with TRICON Garage and piloting the No. 1 Carvana Toyota, Johnson will tackle a Truck Series grid stacked with sprint-race specialists and common rivals.
It’s a probability for Johnson to check his versatility in opposition to drivers accustomed to the sequence, and to the distinct calls for of robust avenue programs, in a approach he hasn’t since his lone 2008 begin.
Johnson retired from full-time Cup competitors after the 2020 season with an 83-win resume and NASCAR information tied for championships, however his part-time return has been one of the game’s most compelling storylines.
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