Jimmie Johnson set to leave NASCAR with famous friends in tow and a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame

48 back for his final Cup race at next season’s Daytona 500. His former sponsor should be along for the ride. Take a look at pit road on NASCAR’s brightest day and don’t be surprised to see celebrities from the kitchen to the stage rooting on Johnson.

Even with the white flag about to drop on Johnson’s racing career, he’s still one of stock car racing’s biggest stars — and by Daytona, he should have a spot on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to prove it. “I’m going out swinging,” Johnson said with a laugh. Maybe new Legacy Motor Club investor and Phillies slugger Bryce Harper can offer some tips.

The 50-year-old Johnson is busy in the boardroom these days looking for investors and growing his race team as the majority owner of Legacy. Almost as busy as he was on the track, when he was one of three drivers to win seven NASCAR Cup Series championships, earning a spot in the Hall of Fame. Johnson is expected to make his 703rd and final — for real, this time — Cup start in February’s Daytona 500.

Until then, the two-time Daytona 500 champion is spending his time sharpening Legacy’s future. Johnson growing into ownership role Johnson used to spend his race weekends signing countless autographs in the garage. The fan requests are still there, for sure, only now his signature is needed more on the dotted line for deals including trying to back long-time sponsor Lowe’s to the 48 — a number Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman surrendered for the Daytona 500.

Johnson also soon hopes to announce Legacy’s third driver for the 2027 season. “I’ve approved press releases, rollout plans, all the elements have all been approved,” Johnson said. “It’s just a matter of slotting them all in.” Johnson added some big-time winners to his race team last month as part of a strategic ownership group that includes championship athletes, Grammy Award winners, entrepreneurs, investors, motorsport greats and cultural leaders.

The Legacy investors include six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon, four-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti, a two-time National League MVP in Harper, Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan, former U.S. Open champion Andy Roddick, Grammy Award winner Darius Rucker, celebrity chef Guy Fieri, and six-time MLB All-Star Chase Utley. “Jimmie’s a good friend of mine and I like what he’s doing,” Utley said.