Jimmie Johnson set to make first NASCAR Truck start in over 17 years

Seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson will drive the No. 1 Toyota Tundra for Tricon Garage when NASCAR heads to Naval Base Coronado for a unique street race in San Diego, California. 

Johnson, a California native, will also be attempting doubly duty that weekend as he plans to run the NASCAR Cup Series race as well. Carvana will sponsor both efforts.

While Johnson has over 700 starts in the Cup Series with 83 race wins and seven titles, he has just one start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. That came all the way back in 2008 at Bristol Motor Speedway, where he started ninth and led 29 laps before a crash relegated him to a 34th-place finish.

“Racing in San Diego means everything to me – it’s home,” said Johnson. “Getting behind the wheel of a Truck Series entry has been on my mind for a while. The competition is incredible, and doing it at a historic street race on a Navy base in my hometown? That’s special. I’m grateful to TRICON and Carvana for making this happen, and honestly, I can’t think of a better way to honor our military and celebrate where I’m from.”

Johnson, who retired from full-time NASCAR racing after the 2020 season, has been competing part-time since then. His next appearance will come in the 2026 Daytona 500, where he will make his 23rd start in the crown jewel event after securing the Open Exemption Provisional.