CONCORD, N.C. — Jimmie Johnson’s bid for a record-tying fifth Coca-Cola 600 victory will come in his 700th career NASCAR Cup Series start on Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The seven-time champion will be the 21st driver in Cup Series history to reach 700 starts — with the milestone race coming at the same venue in which Johnson debuted in NASCAR’s top series in October of 2001.
Johnson is set for his second and final race this year, following a third-place finish in the season-opening Daytona 500. Prior to hopping in his No. 84 LEGACY Motor Club Toyota for practice on Saturday, Johnson met with media members to discuss the weekend’s festivities.
“I was talking with (former crew chief) Cliff Daniels about 700 and he reminded me I’m old,” Johnson said, “and I said, ‘You’re right – but you’ve been around here for a lot of this, so you’re old, too.’
“It’s wild how my first start ends up being at the same place as my 700th. It means a ton to me. I am a numbers guy and to have these numbers play out this way, it’s really sweet. I’m excited to get going.”
Johnson confirmed he hopes to run more races in the future.
“From a driving standpoint, it is halfway through the race before I stop thinking and I just react and drive, and that is a tough thing, qualifying and have to go race,” he explained. “That part works against me when I come in – especially at a place like Charlotte. Not being in the car all of the time has its consequences. For me, to come in and have a chance to represent Carvana, have a chance to drive for our team, add another data point – work with up-and-coming crew members, work with up-and-coming over the wall members, there is an element here that really works for us.
“Last year, I ran nine – it was a little too much on the organization. This year, I’m at two – maybe we do a few more, so as we plan for next year, as long as it doesn’t take away from our full-time cars, we hope to run an unchartered vehicle and have me in it, and use that to develop talent, and also help develop partnerships and such. It is part of our plan. We don’t have ’26 picked yet, but rest assured, there is more than 700 starts. I’m jumping up and down asking for more races than two.”
Johnson also touched on the importance of competing in one of racing’s crown-jewel events on Memorial Day weekend.
“I think this weekend is the culmination of everything from a patriotic point of view for a racing enthusiast,” Johnson said. “I love endurance races, and this is our marathon. Before I ever came here to drive, I was intrigued by a 600-mile race. It’s certainly hard on the drivers, but it’s probably more hard on the party animals in the infield.”
