Johnson puts Daytona 500 qualifying “nightmares” behind him

Jimmie Johnson‘s been plagued by last year’s “frightening” Daytona 500 qualifying experience. But after Wednesday’s qualifying run, earning a locked spot in Sunday’s race, he might finally enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep again.

“It’s a big weight lifted off to say the least,” said the Legacy Motor Club co-owner. “The experience I had last year, it’s been ringing through my brain at night. I’ve jumped out of bed a few times with some nightmares as this day got closer.”

The two-time Daytona 500 winner is considered one of the most successful active drivers in the sport counting 83 career wins and seven championships to-date. Yet even with all that experience, none of it prepared him for 2024’s race.

Attempting to race his way into the “final show” via the Duel qualifying race, Johnson found himself spinning late in the running. He had to march back through the field in a mad-dash to the finish with his focus fixated on the only car he needed to pass — journeyman driver J.J. Yeley, who was attempting to pull off a David vs. Goliath upset. However, panic quickly took hold as Johnson pleaded for assistance from his Toyota teammates, but there was nowhere to go on the final lap. Trapped behind Yeley, Johnson could only watch as his hopes faded, replaced by the coming embarrassment of missing the race and letting down sponsors. But suddenly, the outside line checked up due to jostling amongst the race leaders. Yeley was forced out of line leaving Johnson scrambling to fill the newly opened hole. The two drivers touched doors as Johnson swiped the transfer spot away, mere seconds from the finish line.

This year, the 49-year-old NASCAR Hall of Famer can focus on enjoying the Duel races — free of taking unnecessary risks, spending the race learning more about his car, and his teams’ cars in preparation for Sunday. He has three cars in the Daytona 500, which is huge for an organization like LMC that is trying to build up its program. “Money equals speed,” he said. “The more we can bring in the door, the better we’re going to be. Excited for that. Just hope we can roll some cars back on the trucks when the race is over. That will help the bottom line, too, at the end of the year.

“We’re doing so much to turn Legacy Motor Club around, have it point in the right direction. The partnership with Carvana and bringing Shaquille O’Neal in, what’s in the days ahead, what we have planned, man, it would have really been a bummer to miss the race.

“Just excited. The partnership with Carvana, Shaq being onboard, Reebok logo on the car. Hopefully we can grow the relationship more and have a great showing here.”

Jimmie Johnson, Legacy Motor Club Toyota

Photo by: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Nightmare crisis averted

Johnson locked himself into the 500 alongside Martin Truex Jr., another Cup champion and fellow Toyota driver. Both of them qualifying on speed helps NASCAR to avoid a potentially awkward situation on Thursday night.

NASCAR’s newly introduced Open Exemption Provisional, which guarantees a starting spot to a ‘world-class driver’ and is available to Helio Castroneves (should he need it), was seen by some as disrespectful to champions like Johnson and Truex. Critics claimed it wasn’t fair that two Hall of Fame-level drivers would have to face possible exclusion from the sport’s biggest race while Castroneves was guaranteed a place. Kevin Harvick was outspoken about it, saying on his Happy Hour podcast: “I think it caught a lot of people off guard. I love the intent and I love the fact that it’s going to attract people from other forms of racing. But I don’t like the fact that it left out our own.”

Johnson wasn’t even aware of the provisional until it was announced, saying prior to qualifying on Wednesday: “Evidently, it was buried in the charter agreement that came out. But when the rule came out, I forget the time of the morning, three minutes later, we were on the phone with NASCAR and recognized it wasn’t within the 90 day-window (to apply) and we weren’t eligible. So, we’ve had a lot of talks with everyone at NASCAR and I have a better understanding of the intent of the rule, and I would anticipate some changes following here (Daytona) to better define and clarify that. When first read, our reaction wasn’t great, but it is what it is and hopefully, we have a fast-enough car to get in.”

The changes Johnson referenced may involve opening the provisional up to top drivers of the sport in open rides such as Johnson and Truex, making it reminiscent of the champion’s provisional of old. But NASCAR is surely breathing a sigh of relief as both of these veterans made their way into the field — Truex for his 21st start in the 500 and Johnson, for a 22nd.