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Jimmie Johnson will drive the iconic No. 48 one last time when he takes the grid for the Daytona 500 next February in what will mark his 703rd and final NASCAR Cup Series start. The legendary seven-time champion has shifted his focus to the boardroom, where he serves as majority owner of Legacy Motor Club and pursues a slate of high-profile investors to fuel the team’s growth and competitiveness on track.
Johnson’s star-studded investor group reflects the breadth of his influence beyond motorsports. Joining the ownership structure are six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon, four-time IndyCar winner Dario Franchitti, two-time National League MVP Bryce Harper, Indianapolis 500 champion Tony Kanaan, former U.S. Open tennis champion Andy Roddick, Grammy Award-winning musician Darius Rucker, celebrity chef Guy Fieri, and six-time MLB All-Star Chase Utley. Additional investors are expected to be announced later in the year.
The 50-year-old Johnson acknowledged that while his racing achievements were substantial, building a competitive franchise requires the kind of infrastructure and revenue generation models used in traditional stick-and-ball sports. He cited the need for a clear pathway to profitability and strategic partnerships to compete with established operations like Penske and Hendrick Motorsports.
Legacy is preparing to field three full-time drivers in 2027, with Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek expected to return and Riley Herbst widely anticipated to join the roster. Neither current driver has found victory lane this season, and the team continues working toward consistent competitive results.
Beyond the racetrack, Johnson is poised to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with a presentation expected during Daytona 500 week. The honor reflects his status as one of motorsports’ most recognizable and accomplished figures and only The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year to ever win five consecutive NASCAR championships.
Johnson’s path to ownership began after his full-time NASCAR career ended in 2020. He spent two unsuccessful years competing in IndyCar before exploring broadcasting and endurance racing, ultimately realizing his future lay in team ownership and development rather than driving. Legacy represents his true calling within the sport.
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