“Records are a mark and they set something for everyone to shoot at. Jimmie and his team have done that. … Jimmie is a great champion and this is really good for our sport.” said Richard Petty, seeing Jimmie Johnson tie his record Championship wins back in 2016. Although no one has come close to matching the seven, the former HMS driver will be feeling that nostalgia thanks to NASCAR’s new shakeup. The sport is bringing its Championship Weekend back to Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2026, and it’s stirring up deep emotions for those who’ve followed JJ’s legendary career.
This isn’t just a venue switch—it’s a heartfelt return to a track that shaped NASCAR history, and for Johnson, it’s a personal journey back to some of his greatest moments. Homestead-Miami Speedway has long been a cornerstone of NASCAR’s biggest stage, hosting the season-ending championship race from 2002 to 2019 before Phoenix Raceway took over in 2020. Now, as announced on May 6, 2025, NASCAR is introducing a rotation model for its championship venues starting in 2026, with Homestead as the first stop. And this change has not only struck a chord with the fans, but also with Johnson.
Jimmie Johnson can’t keep calm with NASCAR’s venue announcement
Steve Kennedy, NASCAR’s executive vice president, shared, “The racing product, I think, is another big part of this. And then overall, it’s just the entire industry’s feedback on this,” emphasizing Miami’s suitability as a championship venue with its 1.5-mile oval layout. The track is set for major upgrades by November 2026, including improvements to amenities, infrastructure, and promotional plans to enhance the fan experience. This rotation model aims to keep the playoffs unpredictable, giving different teams and drivers a chance to shine, a sentiment echoed by three-time champion Joey Logano, who said, “Whether it’s a short track or mile-and-a-half, that’s what our roots really are. That is what built our sport.”
So, when NASCAR posted with an image showcasing past champions and the caption, “Legends have been cemented at @HomesteadMiami. Who’s up next in 2026?” Johnson couldn’t contain his excitement. He quoted the post, sharing his feelings: “I’m excited to see the championship return to a place that’s been a defining part of my legacy.” The emotion in his words couldn’t be missed as he’s not just a driver reflecting on a track; he’s reliving the moments that defined his career. Fans felt the same way, pouring out their memories in the replies. One wrote, “The 2016 championship race here to make you 7x was the most exciting sports fan moment I have ever had.”
I’m excited to see the championship return to a place that’s been a defining part of my legacy. https://t.co/8VU02d2NP5
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) May 8, 2025
For the 7-time Cup Series champion, the news isn’t just exciting—it’s deeply personal. Homestead is where he carved out some of his most iconic achievements, most notably in 2016, when he clinched his seventh NASCAR Cup Series championship, tying the record held by legends Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr. That race was a nail-biter—Johnson started at the back of the field due to an unapproved body modification. He had to fight his way through a stacked field, including Championship 4 contenders Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, and Joey Logano, while pole-sitter Kevin Harvick and Kyle Larson dominated much of the race.
But in overtime, Johnson surged ahead, leading the final two laps to beat Larson and claimed the Ford EcoBoost 400, securing his historic seventh title. Hendrick Motorsports reflected, “A seventh championship had finally come. History had been made in the process.” NASCAR threw a curveball at the #48 in trying to keep them at par from the seventh. Interestingly, 2016 was the third year of the knockout format, and it was the first time Johnson made it to the finals. That’s not it, the win in 2016 was also his first win at Homestead Miami Speedway.
Johnson’s heartfelt approval of Homestead’s return is a beautiful full-circle moment. With 2026 marking the 20th anniversary of his first title and the 10th of his seventh, it’s a chance to celebrate the legacy he built on that iconic track—a legacy that still inspires fans and drivers alike. For the time being, the veteran driver will be hoping that his team, Legacy Motor Club, continues on the positive momentum they’ve gained at Texas last weekend.
Finally, some positives for Legacy Motor Club
After conquering the ovals as a race car driver, Jimmie Johnson took on a massive undertaking with the ownership role at LMC. But unlike his NASCAR career, his team has hit a slump ever since they switched to the Toyotas. After a torrid 2024 outing, the pressure was on the driver duo of Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek to deliver the goods. And it looks like they’ve finally had their breakthrough moment of the 2025 season with a strong run at Texas.
A total of 12 caution flags and multiple restarts led to a chaotic finish, but the LMC driver not only survived the race, but they also registered good points after a long slump. Jones brought home the #43 Toyota in a P5, whereas his teammate Nemechek posted his second top 10 finish of the season. This was the first time that both LMC cars had finished inside of top 10 posts on a non-superspeedway race.
“It was a sloppy day in a lot of ways. We had two pit road penalties, but just happy to come back from it and get a top five. It would have been pretty disappointing to have a car this good, kind of our first car this year that’s been pretty strong to throw it away.” Jones said this after the race. With another mile-and-a-half race lined up at Kansas Speedway next, the team will look to build on this positive momentum.
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