Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson secured his spot in the 2026 season’s inaugural race, the Daytona 500, a month ahead. The stock car racing analyst Bob Pockrass shared an X post and revealed the spot has been awarded following the ‘Open Exemption Provisional’ rule.
The majority shareholder of Legacy Motor Club, Johnson, previously announced his return to the event at Daytona International Speedway. The former NASCAR champion will be piloting the #84 Carvana-sponsored Toyota Camry XSE for LMC, alongside his teammates Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek on February 15, 2026.
According to Bob Pockrass, the NASCAR Cup Series team applied for the Open Exemption Provisional for Jimmie Johnson, and the governing body approved their request. The stock car analyst wrote:
“Jimmie Johnson has guaranteed spot in Daytona 500. Legacy applied for and has been granted the “open exemption provisional” … so Johnson is guaranteed spot and field will be 41 cars. Johnson won’t get purse $. Where he starts I’d expect depends on finish in duels. @NASCARONFOX”
The OEP is a special rule in NASCAR that allows an extra car on the grid. This rule guarantees a spot for world-class drivers and has been used once before.
Hélio Castroneves used the rule to compete in the 2025 Daytona 500, driving the #91 Chevy Camaro ZL1 for Trackhouse Racing. The rule has been tweaked since last year. The new guideline states that if fewer than 40 cars attempt to qualify, the OEP isn’t triggered.
Previously, if the OEP driver qualified on speed, the field was set to 40 entries. However, the new rule claims that if any race has OEP, the field is set to 41 cars.
“Really Tough To Do on a Limited Schedule”: When Jimmie Johnson Opened Up About His Future in NASCAR
In November 2025, former Hendrick Motorsports driver Jimmie Johnson appeared in an interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90. During the conversation, he discussed completing items on his bucket list, as well as his future in the stock car racing series.
Johnson debuted in the Cup Series with Hendrick Motorsports in 2001. Following his debut, he earned his maiden full-time seat in 2002 and piloted the #48 Chevy for the team until his full-time retirement in 2020. He then took a three-year hiatus and returned in 2023 with Legacy Motor Club, driving the #84 Chevy part-time.
During the interview, Jimmie Johnson told the press:
“Running at a high cadence in the Cup Series is really, really difficult, and I had a lot of exposure to that last year running the nine events. The cars are so specific, and the way you drive them, the team support, pit stops, all these different elements are really tough to do on a limited schedule. But for the right races and the right reasons, that really makes a lot of sense. I’d love to continue to expand and tick more of these bucket list opportunities off my list.”
Jimmie Johnson will compete in the Great American Race, the Daytona 500, as well as at the 3.4-mile street circuit at Naval Base Coronado. NASCAR will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy from 19 to 21 June 2026.
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