Jimmie Johnson will return to the NASCAR Cup Series to race the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE for Legacy Motor Club at the inaugural San Diego street race on the U.S. Naval Base Coronado in 2026, with Carvana as the primary sponsor.

The Coronado race is part of NASCAR's push to explore fresh venues and markets, underscoring Southern California as a key region for the sport's growth.

Johnson has been a co-owner of Legacy Motor Club since 2022 and became majority owner in January 2025, with top results including a Daytona 500 podium after the ownership change.

The club’s leadership includes Hall of Famer Richard Petty as ambassador, highlighting Legacy Motor Club's blend of tradition with forward-looking initiatives.

Neha Dwivedi, a NASCAR journalist for The SportsRush, provides attribution for the article and includes her bio and social links.

Since stepping back from full-time racing, Johnson has already earned a Daytona 500 podium in 2025 while continuing select appearances with Legacy Motor Club.

Questions surround his 2026 schedule, as he has suggested a possible shift toward team roles off the track and even indicated San Diego could be his final NASCAR start.

Johnson’s entry heightens weekend excitement and could require an exemption or a speed-qualifying effort as an unchartered entrant.

Legacy Motor Club is co-owned by Johnson and Knighthead Capital Management, fields Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek in other Cup entries, while Johnson occasionally drives the No. 84.

The 3.4-mile, 16-turn city street circuit will weave through waterfront areas and military base landmarks as NASCAR expands to street racing.

A native of El Cajon, California, Johnson calls this hometown stop a lifelong dream and a full-circle moment, noting his grandparents are buried nearby in a military cemetery.

Johnson's career spans from his 2001 debut to 700 Cup Series starts, with recent top-20 finishes and a 2025 Daytona 500 third-place result.

The San Diego track is designed to honor military history and coastal scenery, signaling a fusion of heritage and motorsport to attract new audiences.

NASCAR released renderings of the San Diego circuit, outlining the layout before next summer's race.

This announcement follows Johnson’s limited post-2020 full-time activity, during which he has competed selectively and earned recent top-five results.

Johnson, an 83-time Cup winner and seven-time champion with 700 career starts in 2025, views San Diego as a lifelong dream and a special homecoming.