Before the green flag dropped for the Coke Zero 400 on Saturday night, Jimmie Johnson took a Kulwicki victory lap around Daytona International Speedway to show off what will be his final paint scheme for his final NASCAR Cup Series start next season.
In February, Jimmie Johnson will make his final NASCAR Cup start in the Daytona 500, and for this final goodbye, Hendrick Motorsports and current No. 48 driver Alex Bowman are lending him his old number.
A number synonymous with success for Hendrick and Chevrolet will be seen on a Toyota Camry as Johnson attempts his final Daytona 500 run.
When news broke of the deal last month, Johnson’s primary sponsor, the home improvement store Lowe’s, joined in the online discourse and alluded to a final partnership with the help of Johnson’s main sponsor, Carvana, and Ally Bank, a primary sponsor for Bowman and HMS.
Lowe’s was Johnson’s primary sponsor from when he started with Hendrick Motorsports in 2001 through his final full-time season in 2018.
Johnson’s No. 48 Toyota Camry for Daytona will feature small Lowe’s logos across the car, including a “Thank You” message above the back bumper where the license plate would be on a stock vehicle.
The livery is based on Johnson’s primary paint scheme from 2016, his record-tying seventh championship season.
In a press release from Legacy Motor Club, Johnson thanked the three companies for working together to pull off a fitting tribute to a storied career.
“Seeing this car for the first time brings back a lifetime of memories,” Johnson said. “Lowe’s was there for the foundation of my Cup career and so many of its greatest moments. Ally supported me through my final full-time seasons and helped make it possible for the 48 to return for this race. Carvana believed in what came next and has continued to support my journey as a driver and team owner. To have all three represented on this car is incredibly meaningful. It honors where I’ve been, the relationships that made it possible, and the people who are still beside me for one last ride.”
Lowe’s chairman and CEO Marvin Ellison echoed the sentiment in the same release. “Jimmie will always hold a special place in Lowe’s history and in the hearts of the associates, customers and fans who cheered on the No. 48 for nearly two decades,” Ellison said. “Our associates took tremendous pride in Team Lowe’s Racing and everything Jimmie accomplished — from 83 wins and seven championships to the meaningful work he did with Lowe’s in communities across the country. We’re grateful to have been part of his remarkable journey, and it’s an honor to be along for his final ride at Daytona.”
