Jimmie Johnson’s return to NASCAR in 2024 was a modest one. The seven-time Cup Series champion competed in nine races for Legacy Motor Club (LMC). Johnson’s best result, not a good one by the legend’s standards, came at Phoenix Raceway, where he finished 26th. While the season didn’t deliver the competitive results Johnson hoped for, it was clear that LMC’s rebuild was still a work in progress.

As the team eyes a stronger 2025 campaign, Johnson is doubling down on efforts to turn things around. With ambitious plans to revitalize performance, Legacy Motor Club has appointed Chad Johnston, Tony Stewart’s former crew chief, as Johnson’s crew chief for the No. 84 car. This move signals LMC’s commitment to pairing veteran experience with renewed energy for the upcoming season.

A fresh start for Legacy Motor Club under Jimmie Johnson with Chad Johnston on board

Jimmie Johnson’s journey in NASCAR is far from over. Though no longer a full-time driver, the seven-time Cup Series champion continues to shape the future of the sport, particularly at LMC. Recently, Johnson was named majority owner of LMC, succeeding Maury Gallagher, who stepped back from daily operations, marking a pivotal shift in the team’s future.

As part of LMC’s ongoing transformation, Chad Johnston will serve as crew chief for Jimmie Johnson and the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE in 2025. The announcement was shared in a tweet by Racing America, where LMC confirmed that Johnston, known for his technical expertise and leadership, would play a crucial role in revitalizing the team’s performance. Johnson, in turn, will make a return to NASCAR’s premier division for select races in 2025, including attempting to qualify for the Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in the No. 84 car.

Johnston is poised to help Johnson and the team take on the challenges of the upcoming season. He previously served as Tony Stewart’s crew chief at Stewart-Haas Racing (2014–2015) and worked with Ryan Preece (2022–2024). After SHR’s closure, Johnston joined LMC as Manager of Race Engineering. While Johnson’s numbers working with Ryan Preece at SHR is nothing to rave about, he does bring in a ton of experience. Apart from his stint at SHR, he has worked with organizations such as Michael Waltrip Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing.

The entire driver lineup at LMC is in dire need of on-track performance. Although the team is a tier-1 Toyota partner, the switch from Chevy has been a huge learning curve. So Johnston’s arrival at the team is an indicator that they are making all the necessary changes to turn a corner for good in 2025. Speaking of new arrivals, LMC has also brought in Travis Mack from Kaulig Racing to work with John Hunter Nemechek and the No. 42 team. We might be able to get a fair idea or judge the changes made within LMC from Jimmie Johnson’s Daytona 500 attempt.

Jimmie Johnson and Chad Johnston face their first challenge at Daytona 500

As mentioned earlier, Jimmie Johnson’s return to NASCAR in 2025 includes a part-time role. Thus, he is not guaranteed a spot in the prestigious Daytona 500. To secure his place in the race, Johnson must qualify his No. 84 Legacy Motor Club entry into the 40 or 41 driver-field.

This can be achieved either through his single-car qualifying speed on Wednesday, February 12. Alternatively, he can place his car in a qualifying position in the Duel race on Thursday, February 13. “The Daytona 500 is a crown jewel of Nascar – there’s nothing like it,” Johnson said, expressing his excitement for the race.

After Daytona, Johnson will have his eyes set on the Coca-Cola 600. If he manages to qualify for this, too, it will be his 700th Nascar Cup Series start. With rumors of Johnson quitting NASCAR after this, the milestone would be an emotional one for him and his fans alike. A 700th start would further solidify his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest drivers. It will mark another significant chapter in his historic career.