“It left out our own.” Kevin Harvick’s verdict on the OEP was simple. Leaving out a 7-time Cup Series champion whose record equaled the likes of Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty is no joke. But, as champions do, Jimmie Johnson took it on the chin. He wasn’t going to let it deter him. Fast forward to the Daytona 500, 2025, Jimmie Johnson was able to secure a much-deserved P3 position.

Kevin Harvick cited how luck does have a role to play in every win on the track. 

Johnson reflects on his Daytona 500 performance and Harvick backs it up

“Still Got It. I have emotions I didn’t expect to have. This feels incredible.” Jimmie Johnson mentioned after he accorded his best finish since the 2013 victory at Daytona. It was Johnson’s skillful maneuvering in the chaotic final laps and strategic fuel management that helped him etch this position. However, Kevin Harvick believes that it was his luck through the years of attempts at Daytona that had played a role in the recent finish. 

Speaking of the same, Harvick said, “I think that Jimmy being able to finish third and John Hunter running up toward the front of that pack at the end of the Daytona 500—that’s a great way to start the season. That’s great momentum for a team. Whether it’s luck, perfect execution, or whatever it is, it doesn’t matter. You have to have all those things work together at Daytona, Talladega, and Atlanta to have good finishes.”

Despite an early setback when he got caught up in the first wreck of the race. The seven-time Cup series champion and his team executed a well-planned approach. His crew chief, Chad Johnston, devised the perfect strategy. Johnson pitted just before the end of Stage 2 to gain track position while conserving fuel.

During the final green flag pit stops, Johnson lost over 20 spots after getting stuck behind another car on pit road. However, he steadily worked his way forward. He entered the final lap in 15th place amidst a tightly packed three-wide battle. As the leaders crashed ahead of him, Johnson masterfully navigated through the wreckage. He avoided a major contact and moved ahead to claim a third-place finish behind William Byron and Tyler Reddick. 

Speaking of how this entire incident resembled that of Dale Earnhardt’s 1990 Daytona 500 missout, Harvick added, “Yes, you need luck to get to the finish line first, but let me remind you of something—Dale Earnhardt lost a ton of Daytona 500s due to bad luck. And that bad luck resulted in 1990 for Derrick Cope’s good luck. He was running second and was the first guy available to capitalize on Earnhardt’s bad luck. He became a Daytona 500 champion.”

Earnhardt had dominated the race from start to nearly the finish, leading 155 of the 200 laps. With the checkered flag in sight, he appeared to be on the verge of finally securing his long-elusive Daytona 500 victory. However, fate had other plans. Heading into Turn 3 on the final lap, Earnhardt’s right-rear tire suddenly gave out. This forced him to slow down just enough for Cope to surge past in his No. 10 Purolator Chevrolet. Cope, who had never finished higher than sixth in a Cup race before, found himself in NASCAR’s most prestigious Victory Lane. 

While skill and strategy are essential in racing, Johnson’s long pursuit of success at Daytona proves that luck can be the final, unpredictable factor. This time, it finally tilted in his favor!

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Johnson opens up on prospects of racing 

Jimmie Johnson has set his sights on competing in at least two NASCAR Cup Series races in 2025. His schedule at the moment has two races in his sight. He has already driven at the Daytona 500 securing a P3 finish. The next race is the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway  While his primary focus remains on managing Legacy Motor Club, Johnson has expressed interest in expanding his racing calendar. However, this can be actualized only if he gets the right sponsorship opportunities.

Speaking of the same, Johnson said, “I would consider a few more [races]. The time it takes to be prepared and do it right is something I overlooked running nine races. I’ve been living out of the country, a chance for my family to live abroad, as a minority owner of the team, it was easier to do.”

With his future in racing, hinging on sponsorship support, Johnson remains open to seizing the right opportunities. Whether he will be able to balance his passion for competition with the evolving responsibilities of team ownership is a test of time.