“Jimmie and Shaq are two of the most legendary athletes in their sports, and when they started going back and forth, we knew something fun had to come out of it”, said Carvana co-founder and Chief Brand Officer, Ryan Keeton. The partnership was formulated when an online feud between Jimmie Johnson and Shaq O’Neal started to make rounds.

In a unique crossover between basketball and NASCAR, Shaquille O’Neal took the creative reins to design both the car and firesuit for Jimmie Johnson. Inspired by Shaq’s legendary Orlando Magic days, the design featured the iconic “Dunkman” logo and a sleek blue-and-black scheme. Johnson was set to hit the track in full Shaq-inspired gear, but as fate would have it, he couldn’t wear the custom firesuit for the final race. Why? Johnson himself revealed the surprising reason.

Johnson speaks about what went wrong during the Daytona 500

The 67th Daytona 500 faced multiple delays due to persistent rain. Anticipating bad weather, officials moved the start time up to 2 p.m. ET, but rain still arrived early, forcing a red flag just 11 laps in. Once the rain came to a halt, the cars had to wait for three long hours before the track could dry up and resume the race. However, even before hitting the tracks, one could see that Jimmie Johnson wasn’t in his special suit. Instead, he was in his traditional Carvana fire suit that he previously wore. But, wasn’t he supposed to go for the ‘Shaq Special’?

Speaking of what went wrong just before the race restarted on the ‘Never Settle’ podcast, Jimmie Johnson said, “So the rain delay happens and I go in motorhome. I change out of the shocked fire suit, put on my street clothes, go outside. Someone exits the motorhome, shuts the door. I hear over the loudspeakers drivers to your cars like oh boy. I got to go, so I go to open the door. To get back on the bus. And the door handle won’t operate. My suit shoes, everything is inside.”

The seven-time Cup series champion further added, “So I’ve hooked it into the garage area and pull out one of my just traditional carvana fire suits and throw it on. And that’s what I wore. So nothing like a little drama to kind of freak you out. Once I got to the car, it delayed me. All the other drivers were the cars and officials were like, where are you, man? We’re going to start cars. Give me three minutes, I’ll get buckled in.” It’s sad to see something that exciting missing out from the track! However, fans and staff were seen enjoying taking pictures with Shaq’s suit. Here’s a video: 

Johnson’s special firesuit was a tribute to the NBA legend, Shaq O’Neal and the kind of enigma he had created for the sport, back in the 1990s. Pairing it up with his car, the match was made in heaven. Despite the initial anxiety that took over him, Johnson was able to secure a good run for him. Surging from 15th place on the final lap, Johnson claimed the third position during an overtime checkered flag. The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion capitalized on a chaotic last-lap crash on the backstretch. He skillfully maneuvered through the wreckage to gain multiple positions. This has been his best finish since his Daytona 500 win in 2013. 

Johnson receives a three-word message from NASCAR 

After years of effort and consistency, Jimmie Johnson was finally able to make it to the third position in the Daytona 500. As a team owner too, he was in for a delight, given that John Hunter Nemechek finished in the fifth position. Right after Johnson secured the finish, he was seen ecstatic. 

Johnson said, “This feels incredible. I have emotions that I didn’t expect to have. I’ve never been in this position as an owner, and it’s really opened up a different set of emotions. NASCAR’s official X account acknowledged Johnson’s performance after the event, giving him a special mention. “Still got it,” the post read, accompanied by a photo of Johnson stepping out of his No. 84 Toyota car.

With a strong finish as both a driver and an owner, Johnson proved his enduring impact on the sport. His return to the Daytona 500 podium was not just a personal victory, it was indeed a statement.