Jimmie Johnson, the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champ, is strapping back into a Cup car at age 50. Nick Degroot of Motorsport report that Johnson will compete in a groundbreaking event on June 21, 2026: NASCAR’s first-ever street race held on an active military base. The location? Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, California.
For Johnson, the announcement hits way deeper than a return-to-racing headline. He grew up in El Cajon, just up the road from Coronado. As a kid, he used to imagine NASCAR coming close to home, then shrugged it off because there wasn’t a racetrack anywhere nearby.
Now, NASCAR is literally building one in his backyard. Fans are fired up, and honestly, the timing feels like one of those full-circle sports moments that couldn’t be scripted any better.
NASCAR Builds Its First Street Course on a Military Base
NASCAR’s newest event introduces a street course routed through parts of Naval Base Coronado. This race replaces the Chicago Street Race on the Cup schedule, showing NASCAR’s push to shake things up and bring major events to new places, especially out West. The event also lines up with a major milestone: the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy.
Jimmie Johnson’s Hometown Return Comes With Heart
Johnson’s return isn’t just professional, it’s emotional. Because he will be racing on streets he grew up driving near.
“Growing up just miles from San Diego, I dreamed about racing here in a NASCAR vehicle someday,” Johnson said in a team press release. “To come back home, compete in front of my community, the military, my family and friends, and do it with Carvana and Legacy Motor Club, this is one of those full-circle experiences you never forget.”
“It’s absolutely a bucket-list race for me. When I think about everything this sport has given me and where it all started, being able to race in San Diego feels like coming full circle. It’s going to be special.”
“When I think about everything this sport has given me and where it all started, being able to race in San Diego at this level feels like my career has come full circle. Starting out on two wheels racing motorcycles throughout the west coast and now being able to race on four in the same region is something I never thought I would see. He said. Additionally, my grandparents were military and are buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery nearby the base, so it’s an honor to race there, this is going to be very special.”
Even after stepping back from full-time racing, Johnson hasn’t exactly been chilling on the couch. He’s competed in the Daytona 24, the Le Mans 24, and even the Indy 500. Retirement never really slowed him down because he also swap Formula 1 ride with Fernando Alonso.
Jimmie Johnson will race while also serving as co-owner of Legacy Motor Club. He’ll drive the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE, with Carvana returning as the primary sponsor.
Earlier in 2025, Johnson hit a major personal milestone: his 700th career start at the Coca-Cola 600.
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