Jimmie Johnson, legendary NASCAR driver, has shared his ultimate celebration ritual: indulging in pineapple-topped pizza paired with an ice-cold beer, offering fans a candid look at his post-race traditions. The Jimmie Johnson post-win pizza and beer tradition captures his unique take on victory laps, as he discussed during his recent podcast appearance.
Over his storied career, Johnson racked up seven Cup Series championships, solidifying his place among NASCAR’s elite. Racing primarily for Hendrick Motorsports in the iconic #48 Chevrolet, he notched 83 victories—a record that places him alongside Cale Yarborough on NASCAR’s all-time wins list. Johnson wrapped up his tenure as a full-time Cup driver in 2020, but made a return as a part-timer at Legacy Motor Club starting in 2023.
On his Never Settle podcast, co-hosted with New York Times bestselling author Marty Smith, Johnson reminisced about what made his post-race moments special. At 49, Johnson spoke openly about his food preferences and beverage of choice following a race win, weighing in on the ever-polarizing pineapple pizza topic.
“For whatever reason, the flights home, we always had pizza. I’m a big fan of Canadian bacon and pineapple on a pizza. There are mixed opinions on that. But I’m a pineapple guy on my pizza and a Bud Light,”
Johnson said. —Jimmie Johnson, driver and co-owner
He emphasized how those simple pleasures provided the perfect finish to an intense day on the track, especially when shared with his team during their journeys back home.
“I just have a cold beer, Bud Light… Coors Light, whatever was in the cooler on the way back. Something about a hot day in the car, a slice of pizza, and an ice-cold beer that really hit well,”
he added. —Jimmie Johnson, driver and co-owner
Johnson’s final Cup Series win took place at Dover International Speedway in 2017. He stepped away from full-time competition three seasons later, citing various reasons including changing NASCAR formats and the mounting financial challenges drivers faced.
After a brief run in the IndyCar Series, the Californian racer made a comeback to NASCAR as a part-time competitor, piloting the #84 Toyota Camry. As a co-owner of Legacy Motor Club—a team formerly known as Petty GMS Motorsports—Johnson has continued to make headlines. His most impressive finish since returning to the series was a third place at this year’s Daytona 500, underscoring his enduring skill even as a part-timer.
Jimmie Johnson Outlines Legacy Motor Club’s Ambitions
Looking beyond his race-day rituals, Jimmie Johnson has also been vocal about his strategic vision for Legacy Motor Club. In discussion with Paul Tracy via The RACER Channel, Johnson described the organization’s plans to build on its recent progress. He believes that growing the team will be key to staying competitive and relevant in the NASCAR landscape.
“Focus on building the team and getting it right. We also want to expand to a third car so that we can maximize everything within the NASCAR ecosystem.”
—Jimmie Johnson, driver and co-owner
This move to field an additional car is aimed at boosting both the team’s overall performance and its ability to gather valuable data. Expanding the driver roster could also increase their chances for more consistent playoff appearances and greater financial success within the intensely competitive environment of NASCAR.
Moreover, Johnson highlighted the importance of nurturing new racing talent for the future of Legacy Motor Club.
“From there, we need to think of our driver pipeline and how we’re going to bring along future drivers for Legacy Motor Club. Is that Xfinity, Trucks, Trans Am, down to karting… like where do we start.”
—Jimmie Johnson, driver and co-owner
Currently, the full-time drivers for Legacy Motor Club are John Hunter Nemechek in the #42 Toyota Camry and Erik Jones driving the #43 car. The team, which is based in Statesville, has demonstrated marked improvements over the previous season, with both Nemechek and Jones positioned close to the cutoff for the top 16 playoff spots.
Jimmie Johnson’s blend of racing excellence and leadership at Legacy Motor Club ensures he remains influential within the sport, both on and off the track. His distinctive Jimmie Johnson post-win pizza and beer tradition reveals a lighter side of a fierce competitor, while his forward-looking plans point toward continued progress for his team and for NASCAR as a whole.
