DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Jimmie Johnson was concurrently relieved and overwhelmed as he climbed out of his No. 84 Toyota at Daytona Worldwide Speedway on Sunday evening.
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It was a unique set of feelings for the seven-time NASCAR champion and the two-time Daytona 500 winner.
Johnson drove a masterful last lap within the Daytona 500, ending third behind William Byron and Tyler Reddick and practically getting retired NBA nice Shaquille O’Neal to victory lane — no less than nearly. It was Johnson’s finest end in “The Great American Race” since profitable his second one in 2013 and tied his finest Cup Collection end since his final full season in 2020.
Though he got here up quick within the rain-delayed occasion that featured a go to from President Donald Trump, the general end result might have been as particular as these Daytona 500 wins as a result of it got here in his first 12 months as majority proprietor at Legacy Motor Membership and included a robust exhibiting from his drivers, John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones.
Nemechek got here house fifth within the No. 42 Toyota, giving Legacy two of the highest 5 spots. Jones was twelfth.
“I have emotions that I didn’t expect to have,” Johnson stated afterward. “I’ve never been in this position as an owner. It’s really a different set of emotions. The pride that I have in this resolve and the pride I have in this company, knowing what we’re trying to achieve and the journey we’re on, I am so satisfied, so happy right now.”
Johnson tightened his dedication at Legacy and have become the bulk proprietor beneath an offseason restructuring during which a personal fairness agency purchased into the Cup Collection group. Johnson is Legacy’s final boss and obtained assist from Shaq on the No. 84 Toyota.
After working with rock bands Creed and Weapons N’ Roses every of the final two seasons, Johnson turned to a paint scheme for the five hundred that was impressed by the present NBA analyst.
“I love racing,” Johnson said. “A long time ago, my give-a- meter broke, and I’m not here for me. I know other people have different opinions. But I’m not here for me.”
Johnson, a member of the 2024 class, skipped NASCAR’s Corridor of Fame ceremony final week to shoot hoops and promote his automotive and the Daytona 500 at a carnival-themed Tremendous Bowl get together thrown by O’Neal. Johnson and O’Neal ripped the quilt off the automotive with cameras on them — good luck getting “ Entertainment Tonight ” to Daytona — and engaged in a free-throw capturing contest.
What Johnson did on the observe Sunday proved he nonetheless has some quick laps left.
“Absolutely,” he quipped. “The situation I’m in, being a recent team owner and driving my own equipment, it was just something I didn’t have on my bingo card growing up and I never dreamed of. Those emotions are just new, and I guess that’s’ why I’m still do this — to experience new things.”
Johnson was 15th when he took the white flag for the final lap but passed a dozen cars – some of them wrecking – over the final 2 1/2 miles around the famed speedway.
“Jimmie blew my doors off,” Nemechek said. “I don’t think he ever lifted.”
Johnson was scheduled to have Shaq in his pits at Daytona, but O’Neal ended up having All-Star game commitments across the country. Nonetheless, Shaq’s supersized firesuit was on hand for the 500 and, had Johnson won the season opener, the team owner surely would have gotten Shaq to victory lane through a video call.
“I hope Shaq is watching,” Johnson stated. “Thanks, buddy. We obtained your automotive within the high three. It’s been an fascinating couple of years, and to have our vehicles come out and be this robust — this Toyota was rocket-ship quick — I’m simply smiling inside now.”
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