Jimmie Johnson’s Daytona 500 decision quietly | Sports News

NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson has handed a quiet increase to Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing forward of this weekend’s Daytona 500. Johnson, 50, a seven-time Cup Series champion, will compete in a consecutive twenty third Daytona 500 on Sunday, in search of one other robust end result after ending third final 12 months as an open entry.

The 2025 Daytona 500 was Johnson’s best end in The Great American Race since 2015 and his best since retiring from full-time NASCAR motion in 2020. Johnson and Legacy Motor Club opted to take benefit of the world-class provisional, formally generally known as the Open Exemption Provisional, to guarantee a non-chartered (open) car a spot within the season-opening Daytona 500.

Helio Castroneves and Trackhouse Racing used the provisional final 12 months, however nonetheless needed to be added to the 41-car discipline after struggling in qualifying and the Duel. This 12 months, the rule was tweaked in order that Johnson’s announcement would help all the opposite open entries, too, together with NBA legend Jordan’s 23XI, which hopes their up-and-coming hotshot, Corey Heim, qualifies for one of the 4 open spots for Sunday’s motion.

For 2026, the sphere has been expanded to 41 drivers, which means Johnson’s No. 84 Toyota is successfully handled like a thirty seventh chartered car with a assured beginning spot. As with the 36 chartered entries, Johnson is not competing for the 4 remaining open positions—however these 4 spots stay obtainable.

This ensures that the eight non-chartered entries will battle for 4 spots, quite than three, so Johnson can not displace any of the open drivers. Joining Heim among the many open-entry hopefuls are Front Row Motorsports’ No. 36 Ford for Chandler Smith, JR Motorsports’ No. 40 Chevrolet for Justin Allgaier, NY Racing Team’s No. 44 Chevrolet for J.J. Yeley, Beard Motorsports’ No. 62 Chevrolet for Anthony Alfredo, Garage 66’s No. 66 Ford for Casey Mears, Live Fast Motorsports’ No. 78 Chevrolet for B.J. McLeod, and RFK Racing’s No. 99 Ford for Corey LaJoie.

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Johnson is scheduled to make two part-time begins during the 2026 season and has partnered up with Carvana for the Daytona 500. His paint scheme has already been unveiled.

Johnson will sport a clean majority blue No. 84, with hints of yellow and white. “We’ve shared an incredible journey with Jimmie and we’re excited for what’s ahead in our fifth year of partnership this season,” Carvana co-founder Ryan Keeton mentioned.

“Jimmie’s drive, energy, and authenticity always inspire us, and we can’t wait to see him take to the track at Daytona with this brand new design, marking another exciting chapter in our story together.”

“Carvana has been an incredible partner, and every season we’ve found new ways to celebrate what makes racing so special,” Johnson mentioned in a press release. “This year’s scheme is sharp, it’s fresh, and I can’t wait for fans to see it on the track in Daytona.”

Meanwhile, for 2025 Truck champion Heim, the Daytona 500 is one of 12 races on his 2026 NASCAR Cup schedule. Heim will cut up his time between the Cup and Truck sequence.

“I’m excited and honored to continue my progression with 23XI,” Heim, 23, mentioned in a crew release. “Every driver wants to race as much as possible, but I’m fully committed to the approach that I am taking with the team. I look forward to more Cup races this year and the opportunity to grow and expand my race-craft on and off the track.”