Fall of 2001, Charlotte Motor Speedway, a relatively unknown driver starting 15th for Hendrick Motorsports, was wrongly assumed to be from Wisconsin even though he hailed from California. Starting off well and also making it into the top 10 for some laps, he spun around in turn 4, eventually finishing 39th in that race. That young man would go on to win 7 NASCAR Cup Series Championships. That young man was Jimmie Johnson. Johnson is a NASCAR legend, and there is no debate about that fact.

With 7 championships and 83 Cup Series wins, he has etched his name alongside legends like Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty. With a career that has spanned almost two decades, Johnson is also one of the few racers who has claimed victory in 20 out of the 26 racetracks in the Cup Series. With a career that stands as a perfect balance between longevity and wins alike, Johnson is set to reach another milestone this Sunday at the Coca-Cola 600.

Is Jimmie Johnson going to hang up his boots at Charlotte Motor Speedway?

At the start of the season, many NASCAR fans were worried about Johnson’s dream farewell. Many speculated that the Legacy Motor Club co-owner was going to retire at the Coca-Cola 600. But there was a problem. He needed to start the Daytona 500, and that looked sketchy with Helio Castroneves getting the Open Exemption Provisional. Not only did he dodge the duels, but he also finished the crown jewel race with a P3 finish, his best finish since the 2013 win. And just like that, the stage was set up for him to cap his career off at Charlotte. Imagine a 7-time NASCAR champion signing off on his 700th race. And as the race is edging closer, the veteran driver is feeling all the emotions, perhaps hinting that the rumors just might be true.

“The thing that really has put a lot of emotional meaning into this for me is that my first start and my 700th start will be at the same track,” Johnson said in an interview with RACER. Back in 2001, no one knew that a young boy from California would go on to etch his name in the history book. He wasn’t the Intimidator; rather, Johnson was reserved and liked to do his talking on the racetrack. Even when he reached the summit and joined NASCAR’s Mount Rushmore, he remained humble and grounded, “I’ll never be the King or the Intimidator. I’m just a guy from California who wanted to race.” While he just wanted to race, he has embarked on new adventures that he couldn’t envision as a driver.

“One, looking at my career, and what I was able to accomplish… that shouldn’t have happened, and I shouldn’t have been the guy for a variety of different reasons. But it did. Where I am now in the business, I never, ever wanted to be a car owner, and here I am. I guess it speaks to that point that anything can happen.” He is now the majority owner of his team, Legacy Motor Club, and this change was possible because of the investment from Knighthead Capital Management. So even if Johnson decides that he is done with racing, he isn’t going away from NASCAR.

Sunday’s race could be his swan song, a perfect send-off at the track that saw his first and potentially last major moment. The Coca-Cola 600, with its demanding 400 laps, is a fitting backdrop for Johnson to bow out, if indeed this is his farewell. It’s a poignant reminder of Johnson’s legacy, and Charlotte, with its rich history and personal significance, is the perfect place for it.

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Johnson’s New Paint Scheme: Honoring Legacy and Heroes

As Johnson prepares for his 700th start, his car’s new paint scheme is a tribute to his legacy and the heroes who’ve inspired him. Carvana, his sponsor, unveiled a stars and stripes design for the Coca-Cola 600, a nod to his NASCAR journey and the fallen heroes remembered during Memorial Day weekend. “The wait is OVER. We can’t wait to see this thing under the lights in Charlotte. Shoutout to .@KevinFrazier for riding shotgun on this one, literally,” Carvana Racing tweeted, capturing the excitement.

The scheme, carries the name of 1st Lt. Matthew Robert Davis, USMC, a fallen service member selected in partnership with CarVets, adding a layer of solemnity to the celebration. “To reach my 700th start at the very race and track where my Cup career began makes this moment incredibly special,” Johnson said. The paint scheme, with its patriotic flair, is more than just a visual; it’s a statement, a reminder of the sacrifices that underpin the sport and the legacy Johnson is leaving behind.

As he navigates the 400 laps, this car will be a symbol of his journey, a fitting tribute as he potentially rides off into the sunset. The retirement guess game, coupled with the milestone and the heartfelt paint scheme, makes this Coca-Cola 600 a moment that’s impossible to ignore. It’s a celebration of Johnson’s journey, a tribute to the heroes who’ve inspired him, and a potential farewell to a legend, all wrapped up in one unforgettable race.