Jimmie Johnson has won 83 races in NASCAR’s premier Cup series. He is one of three drivers to have won seven season championships and the only driver to win five straight titles under three different scoring systems.
But there is one thing the El Cajon native and Granite Hills High School graduate has never done in a stock car — race in San Diego County.
He is hoping that changes next June, when NASCAR’s Cup series visits Naval Base Coronado for the sport’s first-ever race on an active military base and over its second street course.
“The desire to race in my hometown is off the charts,” Johnson said Wednesday after NASCAR and the Navy announced the race scheduled to be run on an approximately 3-mile hybrid street/road course across the streets of Naval Base Coronado and the connected tarmac and taxiways of Naval Air Station Coronado.
“I will aggressively work on being in the event,” said the 49-year-old Johnson, who continues to drive a limited NASCAR schedule in his role as majority owner of the two-car Legacy Motorsports Club.
NASCAR doesn’t have a sponsor’s exemption rule like the PGA. To race here on June 21, Johnson will have to qualify and claim one of the expected 40 spots on the starting grid.
“I’m so excited to have a race in my hometown,” Johnson continued. “It definitely does intrigue me. If for some reason I’m not able to pull that off, I will still be there and help support Legacy Motor Sports Club and all of our partners.
“We’re also coming up on the 20th anniversary for the Jimmie Johnson Foundation. I see a really neat opportunity for me to come home and really be a part of the festivities.”
Johnson has limited experience driving the newest generation of NASCAR cars on a road-style course. And he has exactly zero experience on local tracks. Johnson never raced at Cajon Speedway, although he grew up a 10-minute drive away from the 3/8-mile oval.
“My upbringing was more dirt-surfaced,” said Johnson, whose racing roots were in dirt bikes and off-road racing.
Johnson believes NASCAR on a street course on Navy Base Coronado is a perfect mix.
“This is really exciting,” he said. “I honestly didn’t think NASCAR would ever be able to race in San Diego. Growing up in El Cajon and watching it change so much and watching Cajon Speedway sadly go away … there was just no reality of NASCAR on a traditional oval in San Diego. It never seemed possible.
“But when the Chicago street race came on the schedule a couple years ago, I wondered what other cities might host the event. Not long after that, there was the talk about NASCAR and San Diego.”
Johnson said he was not part of NASCAR’s planning.
“When I was approached, it was more of ‘this is what we’re doing,’” he said.
Johnson’s first reaction: “No way.”
But he thinks the event will thrive in San Diego, especially with its ties to the military.
“The community loves big events,” said Johnson. “San Diegans look for those experiences. There are more fans to be discovered there. I think it’s a smart strategic move. I’m biased. I think it’s a perfect location. I can’t wait for San Diego to shine.
“NASCAR is doing something unique and different here. San Diego is more of a destination and more of where a street circuit needs to go.”
As for the military connection …
“No area has a stronger military connection than San Diego,” he said. “NASCAR also has strong military ties. Personally, my grandfather and brother-in-law served. I have friends with military careers. It’s been close to my heart for a long time. And the way NASCAR has a history of honoring those who serve, it’s a good collaboration. It will be done top-notch and be correct. I think NASCAR honors those who serve better than anybody.”
Johnson also sees NASCAR’s move into markets like San Diego, Chicago and Mexico City as ways to expand the sport.
“I think major markets are really important,” he said. “I also think international markets are important. The more we can move into major markets and also hit new pockets around the country where we haven’t traditionally been will only grow the sport. And it bolsters relationships that we already have.
“It’s really smart strategy moving into new markets and moving dates around to do what is best for the sport. I want what’s best for the sport, the fans. We need to grow the sport.
“The uniqueness and location of this event will drive it.”