When the green flag drops for the Coca-Cola 600 this Memorial Day Weekend, the field will be the largest it’s been since the season-opening Daytona 500. It will be a full 40-car lineup packed with talent, storylines, and NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson.
As NASCAR’s longest night is shaping up to be one of its most star-studded events, among the most notable entries is Johnson, a name synonymous with dominance in stock car racing.
The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion is set to make his 700th career start in the Coca-Cola 600, piloting the No. 84 Toyota for Legacy Motor Club, the team he now co-owns. The race also marks his return to the Coca-Cola 600, a race he has won four times, most recently in 2014.
Jimmie Johnson’s 700th Start Adds Weight to Memorial Day Showdown
Johnson’s milestone appearance won’t just be about stats or nostalgia. He will roll out with a striking new look on his car. His No. 84 entry will feature a special paint scheme, with a deep blue base, a yellow outline, and the number on the roof. Carvana will sponsor Johnson’s car.
That’s a great-looking scheme for Cup start No. 700.
Let’s make it count, @KevinFrazier! https://t.co/qp8idk23HG
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson)
While Johnson’s return naturally grabs headlines, the race’s 40-car field brings extra attention to the event. It’s the first time since Daytona that NASCAR’s Cup grid will be completely filled, featuring the 36 chartered teams plus four open (non-chartered) entries.
Among them are upcoming teams and drivers looking to make a statement under the lights at Charlotte Motor Speedway, one of the sport’s most grueling and prestigious tests.
While Johnson’s return will draw much of the spotlight, another story is gaining traction further down the entry list. Trackhouse Racing’s 18-year-old prospect Connor Zilisch is set to make his second career Cup Series start, piloting the No. 87 Chevrolet.
Zilisch, who made headlines with a promising debut earlier this year, has been sidelined in recent weeks due to a lower back injury sustained in a crash at Talladega. After missing the Xfinity Series race at Texas and sitting out during the two-week break, Zilisch has been medically cleared and will be returning to action at Charlotte.
Zilisch’s reappearance is not only a personal comeback, but also a continuation of Trackhouse’s aggressive youth movement, one that also includes New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen, who will race the No. 88 Chevrolet.
The Coca-Cola 600, a 400-lap marathon that demands endurance, strategy, and focus, is always a defining and highly entertaining moment in the NASCAR season. With Johnson’s 700th milestone race, a packed grid, and multiple veterans and rookies in the mix, 2025’s edition promises to deliver.