Jimmie Johnson is all set to return to NASCAR for one last ride in the 2027 Daytona 500. He will drive the iconic No. 48 car for Legacy Motor Club, courtesy of Hendrick Motorsports and the No. 48's main sponsor, Ally, which generously allowed him to take the stylized number to LMC for his farewell race.

However, who Johnson's primary sponsor for his last dance will be is still to be seen. The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion recently sat down with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, where he shed light on his return. When asked if he was looking to race with his former and iconic sponsor, Lowe's, he replied,

"I know Hendricks is trying for a long time, and I certainly have. So you never want to say never. With Carvana and our agreement announcement that they're going to be with me through my final ride in Daytona.

"I wish there was something there, but that just seems like too far of a reach," Johnson told SiriusXM.

Notably, Johnson has had a very, very long-time partnership with Lowe that spanned from 2001 to 2018. This was Johnson's most successful era, when he won seven championships and claimed 83 Cup victories.

At the end of 2018, Ally Financial replaced Lowe's as the sponsor of the No. 48 car and has been the sponsor ever since. Currently, Alex Bowman drives it. Even for Bowman, the 2027 Daytona 500 will be his last as a full-time driver, having announced his retirement for post-2027.

Jimmie Johnson reveals Rick Hendrick's key role in his farewell race

Jimmie Johnson spent a significant amount of time in his career with Hendrick Motorsports. This was when he won all of his titles and two Daytona 500s, leaving a long-lasting legacy with Mr. Rick Hendrick's team, and now he is all set to take the No. 48 from Hendrick, but under Legacy Motor Club's banner.

When asked how he managed to put the idea into reality, Johnson told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio:

"It was an idea that I had, and I knew that it was far-fetched and it'd be complicated and many layers to it, but I gave Rick a call and proposed the idea, and he's like, 'Yeah, I love it, let me get to work.

"And so with NASCAR and Ally, Alex and all the other important layers, we were able to get that part done and thrilled to have announced it. We have some other layers to come as the race grows closer and we can put more of this together, but just so excited to know that I'll be back in that 48 car one last time."

Jimmie Johnson retired from full-time NASCAR Cup racing after the 2020 season. Since then, he has been returning on a part-time schedule, and in 2026 has run two races: the Daytona 500 and the inaugural Anduril 250 at Coronado Naval Base.

Written by

Sabyasachi Biswas

Edited by

Yash Kotak