When you pair excellence with longevity, you get Jimmie Johnson. The seven-time Cup Series champion is ready to take to the tracks once again and this year will mark his 22nd Daytona 500. This is the beginning of his journey in 2025, as Johnson will be seen across a few races in the Cup Series season this year, notably the Coca-Cola 600. However, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal was critical of Johnson’s 22nd run in NASCAR, asking the veteran on X, “Dang, @jimmiejohnson going for another Daytona?! 22 years not enough for you?”

This escalated to a back and forth which involved Johnson critiquing Shaq’s poor jump shot and free throw percentage throughout his NBA career. However, as the exchange turned into Shaq and Johnson setting up a free throw competition, the conversation started to feel more doctored. After Johnson’s latest tweet, fans are all but sure this is a set-up by the two sporting legends.

O’Neal strikes a fascinating deal with Johnson

The deal reached its peak when the two agreed to an exchange offer. The 53% career free throw shooter, surprisingly agreed to a free throw contest against Johnson, but with one condition—if he succeeded, Johnson would let him take a lap in his Daytona car. Responding with his signature humor, Johnson replied, “Oh, classic @SHAQ sliding in my DMs. Only place you’re driving my car is to dinner. If you win, you can design my Daytona car—how good are you with crayons? If I win, I’ve got some sweet gear for you to rock.”

While the exchange does seem to be quite fun and lighthearted, NASCAR fans have started to smell some kind of partnership or collaboration deal between the two. Shaq is no stranger to teaming up with NASCAR. In 2013, Shaq turned up to Daytona International Speedway, to promote his movie, Grown Ups 2 and was seen taking laps with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Shaq also commended the fitness of NASCAR drivers that day, saying, “Whoever said these guys aren’t athletes are out of their minds. That was the toughest three hours I’ve ever had in my life.” Powerful words coming from a 3-time NBA Finals MVP. While his partnership with Jimmie Johnson has no confirmation, it seems like something is brewing for sure.

Jimmie Johnson’s 2025 schedule is carefully planned. He will be featured in two iconic races—the Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600. If he qualifies for both, he will reach an impressive 700 career starts, complementing his seven championships in a numerically satisfying manner. However, securing a Daytona 500 spot won’t be easy. With only nine open cars competing for just four slots, the drive will get complicated. His challenge is even greater with the addition of legends like Helio Castroneves and recently retired Martin Truex Jr. all eyeing their first Daytona 500 win. Last year, Johnson narrowly pulled through in a head-to-head battle with JJ Yeley and NY Racing, making his 2025 attempt even more critical.

Fans react to the exchange between O’Neal and Jimmie Johnson

The back-and-forth exchange between the two legends has certainly not gone unnoticed, given that sports fans are quite active on social media. Citing how the conversation does not seem to be natural at all, a fan commented, “This seems so planned!”. Cementing on the same idea, another fan responded, “Wow, totally organic back and fourth convo. Totally”. 

With Jimmie Johnson and Shaq being two of the most popular entities in their sport, one fan couldn’t help but point out an obvious collaboration opportunity, they wrote, “I smell a superbowl commercial or a new partnership yet to be announced. @shaq is a business renaissance man”. Shaquille O’Neal indeed is a business renaissance, and his portfolio proves it. Just in terms of restaurant chains, O’Neal has an ownership stake in Five Guys, Big Chicken (co-founder), Papa John’s, Krispy Kreme, and Auntie Anne’s. The Big Diesel never blinks at an opportunity to make money, and fans think this is another one of those opportunities.

Expressing how this could be the prelude to some kind of partnership between the two, another fan expressed his ideas. He said, “This is all some big marketing promotion isn’t it. SMH”.  While some fans are speculating, others are quite lighthearted about the entire thing and just want to see the two icons together. Focusing on the same emotion, another fan commented “Can’t wait to see this 💯💯”. Whether staged or spontaneous, the exchange has certainly fueled curiosity, leaving fans eager to see if this playful banter leads to something bigger—on the track or beyond.