Hendrick Loans No. 48 to Johnson for Final Cup Start

Jimmie Johnson will return to the No. 48 for his final NASCAR Cup Series start in the 2027 Daytona 500, after Rick Hendrick announced a one-race loan of the number that defined Johnson’s Hall of Fame career. Hendrick said the deal, reached with Legacy Motor Club and Ally Financial, was arranged to give Johnson a fitting farewell, and NASCAR approved the move without affecting owner or driver points standings.

Johnson won all 83 of his Cup Series races and all seven of his championships in the No. 48, including five straight titles from 2006 through 2010. He also won the Daytona 500 twice and the Brickyard 400 four times. Johnson said the number is far more than a number and said it represents the relationships and memories that shaped him.

Hendrick made the announcement during the Brickyard 400 pre-race show on TNT Sports, saying the arrangement gives Johnson back the car number he first drove in 2001 and last raced in 2020. Johnson’s final Cup start will come in the 69th Daytona 500, his 703rd career Cup start. Hendrick Motorsports’ current No. 48 driver, Alex Bowman, will switch to another number for the race, and Hendrick Motorsports said its Ally-sponsored number for the 2027 Daytona 500 will be announced later.