Jimmie Johnson isn’t just back—he’s making history. In a race filled with chaos, crashes, and comebacks, Johnson proved again why he’s one of NASCAR’s all-time greats. Showcasing remarkable endurance and skill, the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion secured a third-place finish at the 2025 Daytona 500, marking a significant milestone in his racing career.

Having your name alongside Richard Petty is an honor for any NASCAR driver. Although Jimmie Johnson has had his name alongside ‘The King’ ever since his record-equaling seventh championship in 2016, his achievement at Daytona stands apart. Petty and Johnson are both revered for their longevity, as Petty raced full-time for 34 years and Jimmie Johnson won his seventh title at the age of 41. Longevity is what brings them closer at Daytona as well.

Jimmie Johnson refuses to be forgotten as he rewrites history at the Daytona 500

Jimmie Johnson recorded a stellar top-three finish at the Daytona 500 in 2025. Despite being 10th on the last lap in Turn 3, a crash between leaders Denny Hamlin, Austin Cindric, and Cole Custer, allowed him to follow William Byron and Tyler Reddick to the checkered flag. This achievement comes exactly 22 years after his first top-5 finish at the Daytona 500, placing him second among the five drivers with the longest spans between their first and most recent top-5s at ‘The Great American Race’.

He overtakes another Hendrick Motorsports legend, Jeff Gordon, who had 21 years and nine days between his first and last top-5 finishes at the Daytona 500. Gordon’s last top-5 came in 2014, finishing 4th as Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the race. However, Gordon’s first was in his very first Daytona 500 back in 1993, a remarkable feat for a rookie. However, Sunday night was all about Jimmie Johnson‘s revival of Legacy Motor Club.

Reflecting on the emotions after a historic finish, Johnson said, “This feels incredible, I have emotions I didn’t expect to have. I’ve never been in this position as an owner, and it really opens up a different set of emotions. The pride I have in this result and the pride I have in this company and all we’re trying to achieve and the journey we’re on, I’m so satisfied, so happy right now. It’s been an interesting couple of years, and to have our cars come out and be this strong, this Toyota was rocket-ship fast, I’m just smiling inside and out.”

In a career spanning over two decades, Jimmie Johnson has continually redefined success in NASCAR. From his early days as a formidable driver to his recent transition into ownership, Johnson’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. In 2025, he expanded his influence in the sport by becoming the majority owner of Legacy Motor Club, a team he co-owns with businessman Maury Gallagher. This strategic move not only signified a new chapter for Johnson but also aimed to elevate the team’s performance in the NASCAR Cup Series.

A significant crash on the penultimate lap provided an opportunity, and Johnson seized it, advancing from 15th to a remarkable third-place finish at the overtime checkered flag. It hasn’t been an easy road. Johnson’s transition from full-time driving to ownership came with its own set of challenges, setbacks, and learning curves. His part-time seat with LMC saw him struggle in the Next-Gen car as he failed to finish in the top 20 in the 12 part-time races leading up to this year’s Daytona 500.

Johnson’s impact extended beyond his own performance. Under his stewardship, Legacy Motor Club achieved its most successful outing since his acquisition of majority ownership. Teammate

John Hunter Nemechek delivered a career-best fifth-place finish, while Erik Jones overcame late-race challenges to secure 12th place in the No. 43 Toyota. “Coming home fifth was a really solid day, a really solid effort, really solid Speedweeks from the whole Legacy Motor Club group, excited to see where 2025 goes — we already know we are better than 2024, just how much is the question,” Nemechek said.

This collective success not only highlighted the team’s competitive resurgence but also underscored Johnson’s effective leadership and commitment to excellence in his dual role as owner-driver.

Johnson is very proud of William Byron

The 2025 Daytona 500 winner, William Byron’s NASCAR journey came full circle as he now competes against Jimmie Johnson, the driver he once idolized. As a five-year-old, Byron used to celebrate Halloween in Johnson’s neighborhood, a memory that the veteran recollected fondly, saying, “I’ve known William for a long time. He would trick-or-treat at my house when he was maybe five or six years old, coming through with his little pillow sack and I’d sign it for him.”

Byron’s breakthrough came in 2020 at Daytona, where he earned his first Cup Series win under crew chief Chad Knaus—the same mastermind behind Johnson’s seven championships. Their relationship evolved from admiration to mentorship, with Johnson’s influence shaping Byron’s disciplined approach as the two were teammates at Hendrick Motorsports from 2018 to 2020. However, Johnson never believed such a day would come. He added, “I remember one time he said ‘I’m gonna be your teammate someday.” I’m like ‘Yeah sure kid’. And to see the success he’s had and two of these big trophies is amazing.”

For Johnson, watching Byron lift another prestigious trophy wasn’t just a testament to Byron’s talent—it was a full-circle moment. From trick-or-treating at Johnson’s house to standing on Victory Lane, Byron’s journey is proof that NASCAR’s next generation isn’t just arriving—they’re thriving.