Jimmie Johnson, the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, is set for a triumphant return to the legendary Goodwood Revival in September 2025, promising fans an unmissable showdown at one of the world’s most prestigious historic racing events. After an electrifying victory in the 2024 Stirling Moss Memorial Trophy, where Johnson masterfully piloted a 1960 Aston Martin DB4GT to the delight of an international audience, his decision to come back underscores both his passion for Goodwood’s racing heritage and his ever-expanding legacy in the global motorsport scene.
Johnson’s previous triumph at Goodwood made headlines worldwide, captivating motorsport enthusiasts who watched as an American icon, famed for his NASCAR supremacy, not only conquered a new discipline but did so against a fiercely competitive field.
“It is not a high-speed parade. It is a legitimate race, and it is something that I hope to never miss again. I’m already making my plans for 2025,”
Johnson said after his stirring win last year, making it clear that his Goodwood ambitions had only just begun. Now, with the 2025 event looming, anticipation runs high as Johnson prepares to measure himself once again against a host of world-class rivals in classic machinery.
The 2025 Goodwood Revival line-up is being heralded by organizers as
“one of the most impressive line-ups of racing drivers and riders in the event’s history.”
Johnson’s inclusion stands as a testament to the event’s growing stature, attracting top names from across the motorsport spectrum. His rapid adaptation from roaring NASCAR ovals to the tight, technical, and unpredictable terrain of historic circuits has been nothing short of remarkable, with many observers noting how seamlessly he has embraced both the cars and culture of international vintage racing.
Johnson’s journey at Goodwood in 2024 was nothing short of a whirlwind. Not only did he and four-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti clinch the Stirling Moss Memorial Trophy, but Johnson also made his mark in other iconic races—securing third place in the St. Mary’s Trophy riding a Ford Galaxie, and finishing twelfth in the fiercely contested RAC TT Celebration driving an AC Cobra Le Mans Coupe. Those results, while impressive for any competitor new to such machinery, have left Johnson hungrier than ever. With unfinished business and the desire to improve, he returns to Goodwood’s 2.4-mile circuit in pursuit of further success.
This year, Johnson’s list of competitors reads more like an all-star celebration than an ordinary race weekend. Jenson Button, the 2009 Formula 1 World Champion, will pilot his newly acquired Jaguar E-type in the coveted RAC TT Celebration race. Current IndyCar standout and six-time series champion Scott Dixon is set for his Goodwood debut, while an extraordinary roster of past and present motorsport titans—including nine Le Mans victors with a collective 33 wins—ensure that every race will be fiercely contested.
Among the Le Mans heroes confirmed for the Revival, Tom Kristensen stands out with nine wins at the iconic French endurance. He will be joined by other luminaries such as Derek Bell, Emanuele Pirro, Dindo Capello, Marcel Fassler, Romain Dumas, Andre Lotterer, David Brabham, and Neel Jani, forming one of the most accomplished lineups in Goodwood history. Their presence reflects the event’s unparalleled allure, where winners from global circuits converge to test themselves on British soil.
Formula 1 representation will also be robust this year. Jenson Button leads the charge, but he will be joined by well-known figures such as Karun Chandhok, Max Chilton—holder of the Festival of Speed Time Shoot-Out record—Jean-Eric Vergne, and Érik Comas. Even F1 technical mastermind Adrian Newey will participate, bringing a unique perspective as a designer who has not only engineered winning machines but also raced them at Goodwood, even sharing a hospital recovery room with Franchitti after separate incidents in 2006. It’s a vivid reminder that the racing at Goodwood is real, and even legends face the risks of pushing priceless cars to their limits.
This genuine sense of competition is what keeps Johnson and other world-class drivers returning year after year. Rather than ceremonial processions, the Goodwood Revival is defined by wheel-to-wheel battles and unyielding commitment. When asked about the event’s intensity, Franchitti described it best after last year’s race:
“The cars are pushed to the limit. From the very first lap, I was so comfortable just sliding it around.”
For Jimmie Johnson, the Revival isn’t merely an exhibition—it’s a chance to extend his competitive legacy across continents and proven disciplines.
The American presence at Goodwood this September is expected to be one of the strongest ever, with Johnson, Franchitti, and Dixon all bringing their championship pedigrees to the iconic circuit. However, the international field is equally formidable, making for a grid brimming with talent from every corner of the racing world. Organizers have promised a level of action unseen in recent years, stating,
“This is quite the list of motorsport legends, and a great indication of the kind of action we can expect to see when the racing gets underway this September.”
All eyes will be on Johnson, whose competitive fire and rapidly developed skills have already ignited debates about his place among the greatest crossover drivers in motorsport history.
For Johnson, 2025 will be more than a return—it will be an evolution. His ability to excel at the Goodwood Revival not only expands his illustrious racing resume but also bridges oceans and cultures, introducing American stock car bravado to the refined tactics of vintage road racing. The legendary circuit’s high-speed corners, limited runoff, and unpredictable British weather present unique challenges, yet Johnson’s calm under pressure and car control legends him as a consistent threat, regardless of the vehicle or conditions.
The excitement of this year’s Goodwood Revival has already spilled over into other marquee racing events. On May 25, 2025, Johnson will partner with NFL legend Tom Brady for a spectacular moment at the 109th Indianapolis 500. In the pre-race festivities, Brady—widely regarded as the greatest quarterback in NFL history—will take his place in the “Fastest Seat in Sports,” a custom IndyCar driven at speed around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway by Johnson. This highly anticipated “G.O.A.T. Ride” will see the two sporting icons lead the 33-car field, providing an unforgettable spectacle for fans and underscoring the respect Johnson commands not just within motorsports but across global sports culture.
Both men’s achievements are staggering. Brady’s NFL resume includes five Super Bowl MVPs and three league MVP honors, while Johnson’s motorsport accomplishments list seven NASCAR Cup titles and recognition as the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. Johnson’s driving acumen at Indianapolis is well established too, having been named Indy 500 Rookie of the Year in 2022—a fitting partner for Brady in a celebration of sporting greatness.
Back on the NASCAR home front, Johnson’s influence extends far beyond his own driving. His team, Legacy Motor Club, has recently begun to find its rhythm, with drivers Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek consistently achieving top ten finishes. Though the battle for playoff contention remains fierce, these results point to a brighter future sparked in part by Johnson’s leadership, determination, and refusal to rest on past success.
All of these storylines coalesce to make Johnson’s 2025 Goodwood Revival appearance much more than a race. For fans new and old, the event represents a meeting place between eras, continents, and styles of racing—one where the best drivers are defined not just by their past triumphs, but by their willingness to risk, adapt, and entertain. Johnson’s narrative epitomizes this spirit, as he continues to transform perceptions of what’s possible for American racing legends on the global stage.
With each lap at Goodwood, Jimmie Johnson is not only challenging the status quo, but inspiring the next generation of drivers who dream of following his path—from the oval to the circuit, from America to Europe, and from contemporary racing to its most storied and challenging roots. The resurgence of legendary names on a track steeped in history—combined with the palpable energy of fans and competitors—ensures that this year’s Goodwood Revival will be both a tribute to tradition and a showcase of modern skill and daring.
Looking forward, the significance of Johnson’s return to Goodwood in 2025 reaches well beyond the results on the scoreboard. His presence strengthens the event’s credibility as a true test of talent among multiple racing disciplines and generations. As the motorsport world continues to debate the boundaries between series and eras, Johnson exemplifies how passion and skill can transcend all barriers, captivating new audiences and reaffirming Goodwood’s status as a destination for greatness.
No matter the outcome this September, one thing is clear: Jimmie Johnson’s journey at the Goodwood Revival is reshaping racing history with every turn. With leading figures from Formula 1, IndyCar, endurance racing, and beyond all converging on this iconic circuit, the stage is set for historic moments and high drama. Fans can expect not only a celebration of speed and legacy, but a continued evolution of what it means to be a racing legend—driven in large part by the enduring passion and competitive spirit of Jimmie Johnson.
