In a heartfelt reunion that bridges eras of NASCAR greatness, seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson will strap into the legendary No. 48 one final time for his last NASCAR Cup Series start at the 2027 Daytona 500.
The announcement came Sunday during TNT Sports’ pre-race coverage of the Brickyard 400, confirming that Hendrick Motorsports and longtime partner Ally Financial will loan the stylized No. 48 to Johnson and his Legacy Motor Club team for the one-race tribute. NASCAR has approved the arrangement, ensuring it does not impact points standings for either organization.
“This is far more than a number,” Johnson said. “The 48 represents people, relationships, memories and a chapter of my life that shaped who I am. To have the opportunity to make one final Cup Series start carrying that number is something I never imagined. I’m incredibly grateful to Rick, Hendrick Motorsports, Ally and everyone who made this possible. It’s a gesture I’ll carry with me forever.”
The gesture reunites the Hall of Famer with the number that defined his dominance. Driving the Hendrick No. 48 full-time from 2002 through 2020, Johnson captured a record-tying seven championships—matching Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt—while becoming the only driver in history to win five consecutive titles from 2006 to 2010. He amassed 83 points-paying Cup victories in the car, placing him sixth on the all-time wins list (tied with Cale Yarborough), including two Daytona 500 triumphs (2006, 2013) and a record-tying four Brickyard 400 victories.
Those 83 wins came alongside 222 top-five finishes and 341 top-10s across his primary Hendrick tenure, cementing the No. 48 as one of the most successful programs in modern NASCAR. Johnson’s partnership with team owner Rick Hendrick remains among the sport’s most iconic, producing consistent excellence that redefined championship expectations.
“The No. 48 is part of Hendrick Motorsports’ history, and it’s forever connected to Jimmie,” Hendrick said. “When Jimmie asked about using the number for his final race, it just felt right. Ally immediately understood why it mattered, too. Seeing Jimmie back in the No. 48 at Daytona one last time will be quite a moment.”
Ally, which served as primary sponsor for Johnson’s final two full-time seasons in 2019 and 2020, fully endorsed the loan. “The 48 has always stood for something bigger than racing: a relationship built on trust, shared wins, and a fanbase that gives everything they have,” said Andrea Brimmer, Ally’s chief marketing and PR officer. “Jimmie is part of the Ally family, and the chance to see him at Daytona one last time with that number is something our fans deserve as much as he does.”
Hendrick Motorsports will reveal the number for its Ally-sponsored entry in the 2027 Daytona 500 at a later date. For Johnson—now a team owner with Legacy Motor Club, broadcaster, and entrepreneur whose personal motto is “Never Stop Starting”—the return to the 48 closes the loop on a career that began with that very number and elevated him into the pantheon of NASCAR immortals.
One more race. One more start. One final ride in the car that made him a legend.