Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson is gearing up for what could be one of the most emotional races of his career, as he prepares to return to his hometown with NASCAR’s inaugural event in San Diego at Naval Base Coronado during the 2026 season. In an interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Johnson opened up about the significance of the race, expressing a mix of excitement, nostalgia, and pride.

Jimmie Johnson will drive the #84 Toyota Camry XSE for his team Legacy Motor Club around the 16-turn, 3.4-mile street course next season. He grew up 20 miles outside the military base in El Cajon, California, and the return marks a full-circle moment. It’s going to be the first time the Legacy Motor Club owner has competed in Southern California since 2020.

Speaking to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Jimmie Johnson expressed his emotions and excitement about NASCAR bringing a race to his hometown of San Diego—a place he never imagined would host a Cup Series event.

Here’s what the LMC owner said:

“With a chance to go back race at home. First and foremost, I just never thought that NASCAR would be in San Diego. There’s plenty of racing in and around the area, but with how densely populated San Diego is, it never seemed like there’d be a day. But now that we have street courses and we certainly have the confidence as a sport to take our street racing abroad, here we go. And it’s going to be fun. I’m so excited for it. Going home will be a massive, I don’t know, it’s just gonna be a huge opportunity for myself and our company.”

The 50-year-old Johnson still feels the competitive fire in him and hinted at an extended NASCAR racing schedule for the 2026 Cup Series season.

“I still have the desire to compete and certainly hope to very soon announce a more broad schedule of events for myself in 2026.” Johnson added.

Jimmie Johnson has a plan to race in San Diego’s Xfinity and Truck Series event

Despite achieving a lot of success in his career on NASCAR’s biggest stages from Daytona to Indianapolis, getting the opportunity to race in his hometown represents something deeply personal for Jimmie Johnson. He also expressed his desire to race in NASCAR’s Truck race and Xfinity race if possible.

In the aforementioned interview, Johnson said:

“That kind of opportunity to go home, to race there. Honestly, the opportunity at hand with a Truck race and Xfinity race and a Cup race, first time that we’ve all been there. If I could figure out a way to being in a Friday race or Saturday race. I would certainly look really hard at that as well.”

All three NASCAR national series—the Truck, Xfinity, and Cup Series—are competing in San Diego at Naval Base Coronado for the first time. The San Diego weekend will kick off with the truck race on Friday, June 19, and conclude with the Cup event on Sunday, June 21.