Jimmie Johnson Daytona 500 participants will see a familiar face as NASCAR confirmed Wednesday that Johnson and Legacy Motor Club will use the Open Exemption Provisional (OEP), securing Johnson as the 41st entry in the 2026 Daytona 500. This special provision ensures Johnson’s participation in the marquee NASCAR Cup Series event on Sunday, February 15.
Details of the Open Exemption Provisional and Its Impact
The OEP was established before the 2025 season as a guaranteed promoter’s choice entry, reserved for elite drivers from NASCAR or other motorsports arenas. Unlike the standard 40-car field, the OEP now requires that a 41st spot be added whenever the rule is used, making room for a seasoned competitor like Johnson. Last year, Trackhouse Racing used the provisional for Hélio Castroneves, a four-time Indianapolis 500 champion, marking his NASCAR debut in similar fashion. The revised rules remove any uncertainty; qualifying races no longer determine if the provisional will be needed for a driver with OEP status, as was the case during Castroneves’s entry.
Johnson’s 2026 Racing Schedule and Career Highlights
Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time winner of the NASCAR Cup Series championship and a recent inductee into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, will take the wheel of the No. 84 Carvana Toyota for Legacy Motor Club in the 68th “Great American Race.” The event airs live on FOX, with coverage also on HBO Max, MRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Johnson, who retired from full-time competition in 2020, returned as a part-time racer in 2023 and has also served as a team owner with Legacy Motor Club. In addition to the Daytona 500, Johnson is slated to compete in the June 21 race at Naval Base Coronado, which is located near his hometown of El Cajon, California. This race will be the first NASCAR event ever held on an active United States military base, adding historic significance to his schedule.
Eligibility Limits and What’s at Stake for Johnson
While Johnson’s use of the provisional secures his chance at the race win, trophy, and qualification for the All-Star Race, provisions of the rule limit his eligibility. Specifically, he will not be awarded any championship points or race prize money for the Daytona 500. This adjustment was designed to allow world-class drivers like Johnson to compete for the prestige of victory without affecting the regular season championship standings for full-time drivers.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
The OEP’s application for esteemed champions like Johnson and Castroneves brings added excitement and visibility to NASCAR’s landmark events. As Johnson returns to the Daytona 500 field, fans and competitors alike will watch closely to see how the seasoned champion fares in his latest appearance on the sport’s biggest stage. His presence further highlights NASCAR’s efforts to blend tradition with new opportunities for both legacy drivers and teams.
