NASCAR racer Jimmie Johnson will have his father serve as grand marshal for his final race.
The Race
The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion will hear his father’s voice to start his engine on Sunday, Oct. 25. Johnson is racing in the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.
Johnson will start the race in 26th place. His car will also feature a special paint job, a fan-turned-designer created the car’s look for the final race of his career. Johnson drives the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE for Hendrick Motorsports. Carvana will sponsor him and his car for the race.
The 45-year-old has won seven of the NASCAR Cup Series. Johnson is tied for the most wins with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. As of now, he has had 83 career race wins. He began racing full time professionally in 2002 in the Winston Cup Series.
NASCAR honored Johnson with the Drive for Diversity award. As a friend of changemaker Bubba Wallace, Johnson has pushed for diversity and equality in the sport. Johnson stood with Wallace during the National Anthem and helped coordinate efforts with fellow racers to show their support for Wallace after the incident.
What Jimmie Johnson Had to Say
Johnson shared that the race will be emotional for him and his family.
“I’m excited for my dad to be the grand marshal at Texas to give the command to start the engines,” he said in a press release. We have family in Texas so I feel like there’s going to be some extra sentimental value for my dad. Knowing his sister lived there and was from that area.”
“He’s been such a supporter of me in my career,” he added. “And I know how special and meaningful it will be for him to be there in my final start at Texas Motor Speedway.”
