NASCAR icon and Legacy Motor Club team owner Jimmie Johnson has all but confirmed that he will be returning behind the wheel for the Cup Series season-opening Daytona 500 in February 2026.

While Johnson, 50, retired from full-time driving after the 2020 season, he has gone on to compete in a handful of Cup Series races behind the wheel of the No. 84 for Legacy, since first investing in the team in 2022.

This has included all three Daytona 500s since, including the 2025 edition, which saw him finish a remarkable third, marking the team’s joint-best result of the season, as William Byron took the checkered flag in the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet for the second consecutive season.

Previously, Johnson’s only confirmed race for 2026 was the inaugural race at San Diego’s Naval Base Coronado, marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy in his hometown.

However, in a hilarious social media post on Wednesday, Johnson appeared to confirm he will run the 500 again in February, sponsored once again by Carvana.

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In a Bob Ross-inspired video, Johnson painted the No. 84’s paint scheme for the race, commenting, “Let’s make some magic here. The key to a happy paint scheme is happy colors…We can’t forget the Carvana happy halos. Because every cardeserves a happy driver.”

The clip was accompanied by the caption, “The 2026 Daytona paint scheme drops tomorrow! Stay tuned to watch your favorite artist (and driver) design a new look for the iconic Carvana 84 car.”

Fans were thrilled by the announcement and justifiably loved the video, with one commenting, “This is quality content.” A second said, “Oh didnt realize Jimmie was making an attempt again for the 500!!! Oh this made my day hearing so.” While another simply replied, “HAPPY COLORS HAPPY CARS.”

Johnson’s decision to run the 500, a race won in 2006 and 2013, adds to what is currently a relatively quiet Cup Series schedule for the No. 84 in 2026. This isn’t a surprise given that back in August, he told fellow former champion Kevin Harvick that while he “would like” to compete this coming season, “I am finding that I am more impactful for the business side of the house out of the car and in the suite or in our hospitality area with our sponsors.”

Johnson will be racing alongside the returning full-time Legacy start Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek, who finished 12th and fifth, respectively, at the 2025 500, going on to finish the season 24th and 25th in the drivers’ standings.

To date, Legacy’s only Cup Series win since 2022 came in its inaugural season courtesy of Jones, taking the checkered flag at Darlington Raceway in the Cook Out Southern 500. Beyond NASCAR, it remains unclear if Johnson plans to race in any further events in 2026.

(WGHP) — Join FOX8 Photojournalist Chris Weaver as we show you the world behind the driver’s seat in Racing Report.

Today on Racing Report with Chris Weaver, we’ve got a full breakdown of the settlement between NASCAR, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports in the antitrust lawsuit filed by the two teams against NASCAR.

Matt Weaver, the senior motorsports editor at Motorsport.com, joins us today to give his detailed analysis of the case. He spent nearly every day in the courtroom during the trial and much of the last year following the proceedings as it came to this point.

With the settlement, NASCAR is giving the teams much of what they asked for in their lawsuit. We’ll break it all down on Racing Report.

Tune in using the video player above or watch it on the MyFOX8+ connected TV app on Roku, AppleTV and Fire TV.

Today, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB released a comprehensive behind-the-scenes video documenting a recent trip to Japan. The YouTube video titled “The Climb to Mt. Fuji | Building NASCAR for Japan” highlights global motorsports culture, fan connection, and the cross-cultural exchange between two countries who share a passion for motorsports. The video recaps the journey made by a ten-member delegation from LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, along with drivers John Hunter Nemechek and Jimmie Johnson to participate in a special exhibition event hosted by the Automobile Business & Culture Association of Japan (ABAJ). 

While in Japan, Nemechek drove the No. 42 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry XSE and Johnson piloted the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Garage 56 Chevrolet, the same vehicle that competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The multi-day visit included time in Tokyo, where the drivers explored iconic districts and neighborhoods, as well as extensive fan-focused activities at Fuji Speedway. Johnson and Nemechek participated in media interviews, autograph sessions, and provided ride-along experiences for guests. Both cars completed exhibition pace laps and celebratory burnouts ahead of the Super Taikyu Series endurance championship finale on November 16.

The event at Fuji Speedway offered Japanese fans a rare opportunity to see NASCAR vehicles on their home soil. Fans waved American flags as Johnson and Nemechek, along with Japanese drivers Kamui Kobayashi and Takuma Koga, took their places on the grid before the exhibition laps.

A Trip Focused on Culture and Connection 
During their stay, Johnson and Nemechek toured Toyota facilities, visited an active volcanic site, explored Tokyo, immersed themselves in the Japanese culture, and connected with hundreds of fans who have followed their careers for years.

“Japan has always had an incredible passion for motorsports,” said Johnson, owner of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB. “Being able to share our sport with fans halfway around the world – seeing them decked out in our gear and experiencing their racing culture firsthand – was something I’ll never forget.”

Nemechek echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the special connection made with fans abroad. He also posted a behind the scenes video exclusive to his YouTube channel which can be viewed HERE.

“Japan welcomed us with open arms,” said Nemechek. “From the action on track to the energy of the fans, this trip showed how powerful motorsports can be as a universal language. I am very thankful to Toyota and the ABAJ for their hospitality and hope we get to go back.”

Inside the Video: A Closer Look at the Journey 
LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s behind-the-scenes feature “The Climb to Mt. Fuji | Building NASCAR for Japan” captures the authentic, unfiltered experience of the trip and includes contributions from Johnson, Nemechek, key team members and fans.

• Logistics of preparing the NASCAR vehicles and sending them to Japan
• Candid moments between Johnson and Nemechek
• Build of the two-seater No. 42 Mobil 1 Toyota at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB
• Street-level exploration of Tokyo’s districts
• Cultural highlights including temples, cuisine, and traditional craft demonstrations
• Conversations with Japanese motorsports fans and longtime NASCAR supporters
• The lighter side of international travel – traveling across the world and team camaraderie

The video can be seen across LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s social platforms, in hopes to offer fans an entertaining and immersive look at the international experience. LEGACY MC also released a photo gallery which can be seen HERE.

LMC PR

William Byron’s path to NASCAR’s top tier did not follow the traditional script. But he is pretty much at home alongside the sport’s elite right now. Unlike most drivers who begin in go-karts almost as soon as they can reach the pedals, Byron, 28, did not climb into a race car until his early teens.

Byron’s introduction to motorsports came through iRacing, where he picked up racecraft in a virtual environment before applying those skills to the real world. That unconventional foundation did little to slow his ascent, though.

Once Byron entered NASCAR’s national ranks in 2016, results followed quickly. His early years in the Truck and Xfinity Series progressed impressively. He won seven races during his rookie Truck season in 2017, and followed that with four victories in Xfinity, a performance that saw him win the 2017 championship.

The transition to the Cup Series, however, demanded patience. His first forays at the sport’s highest level proved more challenging. However, during that period, Byron relied heavily on guidance from within Hendrick Motorsports, particularly Chase Elliott.

In 2018, as he continued to learn the Cup Series and its finer details, Byron acknowledged that he was still a work in progress. Despite having legends such as Jeff Gordon available, he frequently turned to Elliott for perspective.

“I think I lean on all of them pretty equally. I think that I lean on Alex [Bowman] the least amount because we’re both new to what’s happening. We have little conversations of what our cars are doing here and there. But it’s not as broad of information as Chase or Jimmie [Johnson],” Byron had said.

The way Byron leaned on some drivers more than others in the team was logical. Elliott and Johnson represented recent success within the organization, and Byron recognized the value of measuring himself against drivers who consistently contended.

“I feel like Chase and Jimmie are the guys I lean on most because those are the guys that have had the most success the last couple [of] years in our organization. I try to gauge myself off of Chase a lot of times because I think we have very similar styles. We’re really close in the shop. It makes a little more sense for me to lean on him,” added Byron.

That willingness to learn has shaped Byron’s growth. Over eight Cup seasons, he has collected 16 wins across 288 starts. The past three seasons have reinforced his growth. Byron finished each year in the top four, securing a spot in the Championship 4.

The #24 driver captured back-to-back Daytona 500 wins in 2024 and 2025, a feat that places him in rare company and reflects his ability to perform on the sport’s biggest stage. Though Byron’s most prolific season came in 2023, when he won six times, his production has remained steady.

Over the last two seasons, Byron added three wins each year, maintaining his presence near the front of the field. And his decision to lean on the stalwarts like Johnson and Elliott seems to have elevated him as one of the top drivers of this generation.

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AVONDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 31: Chandler Smith, driver of the #38 QuickTie Ford, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on October 31, 2025 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

Front Row Motorsports announced that Chandler Smith will return to the team for the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. Smith will again drive the No. 38 Ford F-150, continuing a pairing that produced strong results in 2025.

The decision keeps the team’s Truck Series lineup intact, with Smith returning alongside Layne Riggs. Smith, 23, earned two wins during the 2025 season and finished eighth in the final standings.

Front Row Motorsports said the move reflects confidence in the progress made during their first year together and provides stability heading into the 2026 season, which opens at Daytona International Speedway in February.

Chan the man is back again.

We’re excited to announce that Chandler Smith will return to drive the No. 38 in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2026! pic.twitter.com/OmfUQctRkE

— Front Row Motorsports (@Team_FRM) December 16, 2025

Chandler Smith’s 2025 season with Front Row Motorsports

Smith joined Front Row Motorsports ahead of the 2025 season with a short turnaround. Even with limited preparation time, he quickly became a factor in the championship picture. He won two of the first six races and showed early title pace, including a victory at Bristol, where he raced Kyle Larson for the win, as reported by Toby Christie of TobyChristie.com.

As the season went on, Smith and the No. 38 team faced challenges during the playoffs that slowed their momentum. Despite that, Smith finished the year eighth in the championship standings. It marked his first full season with Front Row Motorsports and laid the foundation for continued improvement.

“It’s incredible what this group accomplished in just one season,” Smith said in a press release. “When I came to Front Row on such short notice, no one expected us to make a playoff run, but this team never backed down.”

Front Row Motorsports keeps its lineup and leadership

The announcement confirms that Front Row Motorsports will bring back the same two-driver lineup in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Smith will continue as the teammate to Layne Riggs, who drives the No. 34 Ford F-150. Team officials said continuity was an important factor in the decision, according to TobyChristie.com.

Crew chief Jon Leonard will also return to the No. 38 team in 2026. Leonard enters his sixth season as a Truck Series crew chief and worked closely with Smith throughout the 2025 campaign.

“I’m looking forward to working with Chandler again, Leonard said.” “We have a mutual trust for each other; we just click. He knows what he needs out of the truck, and he communicates that well.”

Front Row Motorsports said sponsorship partners for Smith and the No. 38 truck will be announced at a later date.

Focus shifts to the 2026 Truck Series season

With Smith confirmed for 2026, Front Row Motorsports now turns its attention to the upcoming Truck Series schedule. The season will feature races across a wide range of tracks, starting at Daytona and ending at Phoenix Raceway.

Smith said the team plans to build on what it learned during its first year together. “The work, the belief, and the effort they put in made all the difference, he said.” “I’m excited for what’s ahead and confident in what we can achieve together.”

Offseason preparation is expected to begin soon as Smith and the No. 38 team look to improve on their 2025 results. Front Row Motorsports said more updates will be shared before the season begins.

Dogli Wilberforce is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce

Nissan has a long, proud history in motorsport, which began with a victory in 1958 at the 10,000-mile Round Australia Trial with a Datsun 210. Peter Brock’s BRE Datsun program brought success to America with SCCA dominance throughout the late 1960s and early ’70s. The 1984 founding of Nissan Motorsports International, or NISMO, sharpened Nissan’s efforts to a fine point, and over the next several decades we saw Nissans competing at the sharp end of the grid in motorsports as diverse as Group C endurance racing, GT and touring cars, rallying, and Baja-style off-road events. And with the company’s on-track successes, NISMO performance parts trickled down to the company’s production cars.

Performance enthusiasts take note, then, because in an effort to add more verve to its current lineup, Nissan announced yesterday that is launching new initiatives aimed at enhancing the brand through new motorsport activities and by growing the NISMO lineup.

According to a press release shared on the company’s global newsroom, this will include the introduction of new prototype performance cars for racing as well as to “accelerate technological advancements in both hardware and software development for racing purpose and car lineup expansion.” This initiative is set to begin in 2026. 

Further, for 2026, the company aims to increase the number of NISMO-branded offerings, which currently includes vehicles such as the Z NISMO, Armada NISMO in the U.S. And by 2028, Nissan plans to increase the volume of NISMO vehicles from approximately 100,000 to 150,000. “In pursuit of added customer value,” the statement says, “Nissan will actively consider collaborations with external partners to expand its NISMO car lineup business.” No further information is provided, so we’ll have to see how that shakes out. 

With more than just a focus on new performance cars, Nissan is also doubling down on its restoration and heritage efforts. To that end, Nissan Motorsports & Customization Co. (NMC) “will grow its restoration, restomod, and parts sales businesses, with an initial focus on expanding around the Skyline GT‑R R32, R33, and R34, with more vehicles and regional offerings to follow.” As more and more of these hot JDM machines hit the market, increased factory renovation efforts can only help from a brand identity standpoint, as well as from the perspectives of preservation and values. 

We’ve commented recently that these are turbulent times for Nissan, but the tone of yesterday’s release carries a lot of excitement. A bigger selection of high-performance Nissans, more actively engaged in global motorsport, with an eye on heritage preservation, to boot, bodes well for the company and its loyal fans.