Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and longtime motorsports star, will make a highly anticipated NASCAR Truck Series return on June 19 at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, marking his first Truck start in nearly 18 years. Johnson’s comeback, with TRICON Garage and Carvana backing, injects fresh excitement into the race, especially as he’ll compete on home turf in California.
Johnson Teams With TRICON for San Diego Race
Jimmie Johnson, originally from El Cajon—just a short drive from Naval Base Coronado—will pilot the No. 1 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event. His entry is made possible with sponsorship from Carvana and team support from TRICON Garage. The event holds special significance as it takes place on a distinctive 16-turn, 3.4-mile street course set up at a Navy base, an unusual and historic setting for NASCAR.
“Racing in San Diego means everything to me – it’s home,”
Johnson said.
“Getting behind the wheel of a Truck Series entry has been on my mind for a while. The competition is incredible, and doing it at a historic street race on a Navy base in my hometown? That’s special. I’m grateful to TRICON and Carvana for making this happen, and honestly, I can’t think of a better way to honor our military and celebrate where I’m from.”
—Jimmie Johnson, Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Returning to Truck Competition After Nearly Two Decades
Johnson last competed in the NASCAR Truck Series in August 2008, racing for Randy Moss Motorsports at Bristol Motor Speedway. He started that race in ninth position and impressively led for 29 laps before a crash cut his day short after 101 laps, resulting in a 34th-place finish. Since then, the decorated driver shifted his focus toward Cup Series and open-wheel racing, leaving the Truck Series behind—until now.
In 2025, Johnson made just two Cup Series starts—one at the Daytona 500 and another at the Coca-Cola 600—behind the wheel of the No. 84 Carvana Toyota with Legacy Motor Club, a team he co-owns. His legacy also includes competing in all road course events during the 2021 NTT INDYCAR Series season, and a full INDYCAR campaign in 2022, before returning his attention to NASCAR.
A Rare Chance on a West Coast Street Course
Though Johnson boasts 794 NASCAR starts, he has taken only one victory on a road or street course, triumphing at Sonoma Raceway in 2010 after outlasting Marcos Ambrose, who lost the lead while conserving fuel late in the race. The upcoming Truck race in San Diego marks a rare and significant opportunity for Johnson to pursue another win on a challenging street circuit, this one unfolding in front of his local fans and military personnel at Naval Base Coronado.
The June 19 event will air on FS1, NASCAR Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, bringing both dedicated supporters and casual viewers a unique spectacle as Johnson brings his experience and star power back to where it all began. This high-profile return underscores the strength and tradition of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series while offering a nod to both regional ties and the military community.
With anticipation building, Johnson’s involvement not only heightens the competitive stakes but also brings a personal element, as he honors both his roots in California and the service members of the Navy stationed at Coronado. All eyes will be on whether this return can end with Johnson conquering the San Diego street course and adding another historic chapter to his storied career.
