Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson has already secured his spot in the 2026 DAYTONA 500, despite the event being more than a month away.
Following a report from Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports on Wednesday, NASCAR confirmed to TobyChristie.com that LEGACY MOTOR CLUB has applied, and been approved, for the ‘Open Exemption Provisional’, meaning that the El Cajon, California-native will be making his 701st NASCAR Cup Series start in the season-opener at Daytona.
As previously announced, Johnson will be getting behind the wheel of the No. 84 Carvana-sponsored Toyota Camry XSE for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, the multi-car NASCAR Cup Series team in which Johnson is the majority owner.
The 50-year-old driver retired from full-time competition following the end of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series campaign, but after running for two years in the NTT IndyCar Series, chose to return to the sport on a part-time basis — while also taking on team ownership.
With official confirmation that the Open Exemption Provisional is being used for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season-opener, the event, which typically features more entries than spots on the grid, will have 41 starters.
In 2025, Trackhouse Racing was able to use the ‘Open Exemption Provisional’ to get four-time Indianapolis 500 race-winner Helio Castroneves in the field for ‘The Great American Race’ in the No. 91 Chevrolet. The weekend ended up being a rough experience for Castroneves, who, after crashing in his Duel, needed to take the 41st starting spot.
However, since the provisional was first used last February, the rules have been tweaked a little bit. Now, to use the provisional, the driver and team will have to declare their desire to take the 41st spot in the field — meaning that Johnson and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB have already confirmed that they will not be taking any prize money or any points for the effort.
The qualifying process and procedures for the 2026 DAYTONA 500 have not changed, as there will still be four spots available in the field for Open entries. As of January 7, there are expected to be at least seven drivers fighting for those four spots in the field.
Now, Johnson will not have to sweat it out on Wednesday during DAYTONA 500 Pole Qualifying or on Thursday in the Duel Races. Last year, Johnson was involved in a tight battle for the final transfer position with JJ Yeley, where the No. 84 was almost knocked out by the NY Racing driver.
The 83-time NASCAR Cup Series race-winner went on to finish third in the DAYTONA 500, behind William Byron and Tyler Reddick.
NASCAR will begin its season with the NASCAR Cup Series season-opener at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 15. Coverage of the event will be on FOX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
