Humbled Jimmie Johnson Embraces Shaq’s Orlando Magic Scheme for Daytona 500

Michael Jordan and Brad Daugherty may be the big NBA names in NASCAR, but there’s a new guy on the block, and it’s the man who can’t make free throws. After getting involved in online banter with Jimmie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal stunned the world by actually winning a free throw contest against Johnson. The result? Well, while Johnson can’t give Big Diesel a ride in his car at Daytona, his promise of bringing the Shaq ‘magic’ to the Daytona 500. 

In a stunning move, Jimmie Johnson unveiled an Orlando Magic-themed car for the Daytona 500.

Big Diesel carved Johnson’s car design with intricacy 

Just a few days ago, Neil was spotted around in Miami. In classic Shaq fashion, he drove up in his Cybertruck, hitting fans with a, “How you liking your Cybertruck, boys?”  With the Daytona 500 event scheduled for 16th February, it led to speculations. Was he really designing Jimmie Johnson’s car? That too from starting a trash talk contest on X? It sounded unbelievable. However, once Johnson offered to make the free-throw contest, little did they know both athletes would make good on it. More surprisingly, Shaq stunned fans by winning the contest 5-4!

 With that win, he earned the ultimate prize—a chance to give Johnson’s car a full Shaq-style makeover. Unveiling the look, Steve Taranto posted, “Carvana has unveiled Jimmie Johnson’s Shaquille O’Neal-designed paint scheme and firesuit for the Daytona 500. It’s based on Shaq’s original NBA uniform with the Orlando Magic in the 1990s complete with pinstripes and the “Dunkman” logo.”

The newly unveiled design for Jimmie Johnson’s car isn’t just a paint job. It’s a tribute to Shaq’s early dominance in the NBA, paying homage to his iconic Orlando Magic uniform from the 1990s. The sleek pinstripes, and the bold blue-and-black color scheme, all add up quite well. The Orlando Magic’s 90s aesthetic remains one of the most recognizable in basketball history. It represents a time when Shaq was redefining the game with his unstoppable presence. When the Orlando Magic drafted Shaquille O’Neal first overall in 1992, the franchise was still searching for its identity.

Enter Shaq—a towering force who didn’t just play basketball but dominated it. From the moment he stepped on the court, he shattered expectations. Neil moved on to become the first rookie since Michael Jordan to start in an All-Star game. He even earned the title of Rookie of the Year honors.  By his third season, Shaq had led them to their first-ever NBA Final. This proved they were no longer just an expansion team but true contenders. His time with the team laid the foundation for a Hall of Fame career that would leave a lasting impact on the game of basketball.

 Additionally, the car also has the unmistakable “Dunkman” logo. Given that O’Neal had it patented, it’s presence on a Next-Gen car is a new step in the sport. Who knows? It might even spark a long-term commitment from the NBA legend. After all, Johnson is a driver for Legacy Motor Club. It might be the perfect entry point for Shaq in the sport, following in the footsteps of Jordan.

As for Jimmie Johnson, he is gearing up for the 2025 Daytona 500, continuing his part-time role with Legacy Motor Club. He qualified for last year’s race and finished 28th. With months of preparation ahead, he joins a competitive field, including Martin Truex Jr. and Helio Castroneves, aiming for a strong performance on NASCAR’s biggest stage. And before he can get to the Great American Race, there were words of encouragement

Tony Stewart places Johnson as a ‘great friend’

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For a duo that has competed for 10 long years in the Cup Series, sharing a camaraderie might be strange to some. When Jimmie Johnson secured his seventh championship in 2016, Tony Stewart was bidding farewell to NASCAR. As a retirement gift, Johnson presented Stewart with his championship-winning helmet, a prized addition to Stewart’s collection of over 200 helmets.

Speaking about Johnson, Stewart said, “He’s in the top five for sure, and it’s not always just about what he does on the racetrack. It’s all the stuff he does off the racetrack, and the kind of person he is off the racetrack. I mean, I consider him a great friend, and somebody that I admire. I mean, whatever it is he chooses to do in his life, whether it’s his personal life, whether it’s his professional life, he gives 110% to it.”

Stewart had always held Johnson high and he had mentioned in an interview how he thought that someone like Dale Earnhardt Sr would also find it challenging to topple Johnson’s numbers. He had mentioned, “If Dale (Earnhardt) Sr. was around during his era of championships, he would not have been able to rattle Jimmie Johnson. He just wouldn’t. Jimmie is just that solid. He had that much confidence.” Stewart’s words not only cement Johnson’s legacy but also highlight the rare blend of talent, determination, and character that made him one of NASCAR’s all-time greats.