“With my connection, my grandfather serving, brother-in-law, friends, it’s just been close to my heart for a long time.” Those were Jimmie Johnson’s words when NASCAR announced the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series Street Race in San Diego, held at the US Naval Base Coronado. Racing in front of your home crowd is beyond special, and Jimmie Johnson knows it all too well.  And if you thought the 7-time NASCAR Cup Series champion was done with living life in the fast lane, think again.

Jimmie Johnson, who hit the 700-start milestone this year, isn’t ready to hang up his helmet just yet. The 83-time race winner is set to make his return for the inaugural race at San Diego’s naval base next year. Johnson shared the news at BrandWeek in Atlanta on Wednesday, confirming he’ll drive the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE for Legacy Motor Club, the team he owns, with Carvana as the primary sponsor. And the fans can’t get enough of it.

The return of the hometown hero

For the 50-year-old Hall of Famer, racing in San Diego is a childhood dream come true. Taking to X, Jimmie Johnson posted, “Growing up in El Cajon, I dreamed about racing in #SanDiego one day, but I never imagined it would actually happen. To come back and compete in front of my hometown community, the military, family, and friends, makes this a full-circle moment in my career. Thank you to our partners @CarvanaRacing and everyone @LEGACYMotorClub for making this possible. Can’t wait to hit the track in #SoCal next summer.”

This race holds significant importance for Johnson, as El Cajon, 17 miles east of San Diego, is the closest he can get to home, and it also marks a shift in his approach to racing at the brand-new track. And many expect the 7-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion to recreate his brilliant Daytona 500 run when the inaugural race rolls out in June 2026.

In his 2025 run this year, Johnson has often battled near the back of the pack, but he broke through with a standout performance at the Daytona 500, earning his first top 20 finish with Legacy Motor Club. He finished an impressive third, just behind 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick and Hendrick Motorsports’ two-time Daytona winner William Byron.

Johnson reflected on the significance of returning to his roots, not far from where his career began on motorcycles. He added, “When I think about everything this sport has given me and where it all started, being able to race in San Diego at this level feels like my career has come full circle. Starting out on two wheels, racing motorcycles throughout the West Coast, and now being able to race on four in the same region is something I never thought I would see. Additionally, my grandparents were military and are buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery nearby the base, so it’s an honor to race there – this is going to be very special.”

The race will help celebrate the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary, with drivers taking to a recently revealed 3.4-mile, 16-turn street course around the base. As for 2026, Johnson hasn’t confirmed how many races he plans to enter, but he’s becoming increasingly effective in his off-track, team leadership role rather than behind the wheel. But the fans have made it clear that they cannot wait for the San Diego race.

Fans rally behind Jimmie Johnson’s highly anticipated appearance

The moment the 50-year-old announced his return for the San Diego Street Race, fans flooded social media with excitement, nostalgia, and a few grounded expectations. One fan kicked off things with curiosity about his broader 2026 plans, asking, “Do we know what else he’s doing? After last year I can’t imagine him not doing the 500 again. Outside of that though any inklings?”

In response, another fan chimed in, with a hint of insider confidence, saying, “All we know is this officially and that he’s actually doing the double with trucks here unofficially.” However, such speculation needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. The rumors didn’t stop there though, with others being quick to suggest where they would love to see the seventh champion return next, saying, “I’d like to see him do Martinsville or the All Star/open at Dover – two really good tracks for him in the olden days.” 

When the venue was confirmed in his hometown of San Diego, the sentimental reactions poured in. One netizen even went on to say, “No way was he missing a race at his home base.” Still, amid all the excitement, one fan kept expectations, realistic but heartfelt, replying, “If he doesn’t win(lets be honest, he won’t), I hope he has fun.” Together, the reactions painted a perfect picture of where Johnson stands with NASCAR fans today: a mix of respect for the legend he is, excitement for one more run, and appreciation for the joy he still brings to the sport.