Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time champion and one of NASCAR‘s most accomplished drivers, has expressed intense interest in making a return for the upcoming San Diego NASCAR Cup Series event in 2026, aligning his ambitions closely with the hopes of racing on his hometown streets. The announcement of the San Diego street race has captured Johnson’s attention, setting the stage for a possible homecoming that blends his competitive drive with personal history.
NASCAR Legend Targets Hometown Race
Johnson, who grew up in El Cajon, California, just northeast of San Diego, has become a legendary figure in the NASCAR Cup Series, having earned 83 career victories and several consecutive championships. Five years after his initial departure from full-time racing—marked by a detour into the NTT IndyCar Series and a part-time NASCAR comeback with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB as driver and part-owner—Johnson’s focus has narrowed to a select number of high-profile events. Most recently, he drove in select races, such as the DAYTONA 500 and Coca-Cola 600, with his 2024 calendar limited to these marquee appearances.
With NASCAR confirming a race on San Diego’s city streets, Johnson’s local ties and memories of watching the region’s transformation, including the closure of the iconic El Cajon Speedway, have fueled both nostalgia and motivation. The prospect of competing in front of a hometown crowd is one he described as both exciting and almost surreal, given the historic absence of NASCAR races in the area.
Driven to Make the Grid in 2026
As the official schedule stands, Johnson has completed his planned races for the current season. However, the lure of making his mark in the inaugural San Diego Cup Series race has pushed him to consider what it might take to be on the starting grid in 2026. He emphasized that securing a spot would require persistent and dedicated effort, and insisted that participating in this race ranks high on his list of professional goals.
“This is really exciting. I honestly didn’t think that NASCAR would ever be able to race in San Diego. Growing up in El Cajon, watching it develop and change so much, watching El Cajon Speedway sadly go away, it’s just a reality or thought of NASCAR in a traditional sense on an oval in San Diego, it just never seemed possible.”
—Jimmie Johnson
The path isn’t without its challenges, as LEGACY MOTOR CLUB continues to work on securing a third full-time charter slot in the Cup Series, which would facilitate more starts for the team and provide Johnson with increased opportunities to race. The idea of returning to race more frequently is firmly on the table if these logistical pieces fall into place.
“[The race] definitely intrigues me,” Johnson said.
“Obviously, it’s not news, but the desire to race in my hometown is off the charts. I will aggressively work on being in the event. If for some reason I am not able to pull that off, I will absolutely be there and help support LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, all of our partners, NASCAR, the city.”
—Jimmie Johnson
“#NASCAR… Asked by @Jordan_Bianchi if he will be competing in the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series event at San Diego, @JimmieJohnson says that he will be working hard to compete in the event. Johnson adds that his desire to race in his hometown is ‘off the charts.’”
—Joseph Srigley
Looking at Scenarios for an Extended Career
Though some fans hope the San Diego event could be a storybook farewell, Johnson made it clear he’s not considering retirement just yet. Instead, he is evaluating multiple scenarios for continuing his racing career, potentially increasing his participation if LEGACY MOTOR CLUB can formalize another charter and assemble the necessary support staff.
“It hasn’t crossed my mind,” Johnson said about San Diego possibly being his final race.
“I want to respond with no, but who knows. We’ll have to do some planning over the off-season.”
—Jimmie Johnson
“I want to keep going. I want to stay in a car. I think it’s good for us. We’re hopeful to have a charter. Need to start building a team. There’s a chance that I run more races next year if we have a third charter on the docket and have a sponsor to bring along, team members to groom, a crew chief to get reps, a driver to get reps. There’s a lot of scenarios that are in play. I’m hopeful I can keep going.”
—Jimmie Johnson
Future Prospects and Impact of a San Diego Comeback
Currently, Johnson has no additional NASCAR Cup Series races on his 2025 calendar, having completed his scheduled appearances at Daytona and Charlotte. Nevertheless, the upcoming San Diego event stands as a unique opportunity for Johnson to compete in front of a home audience, reinvigorating his role as both driver and ambassador for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB and NASCAR at large.
The energy around the Jimmie Johnson San Diego NASCAR race grows as fans and the racing community eagerly await further updates on his plans. If he secures a start, Johnson’s presence will unite local supporters and bolster the significance of the Cup Series’ newest event, reinforcing his enduring legacy as one of the sport’s most iconic drivers.
