Has Jimmie Johnson won the Daytona 500? All you need to know

Jimmie Johnson, one of NASCAR’s champion drivers, drove for Hendrick Motorsports for a large part of his career. He is a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and continues to race part-time for Legacy Motor Club.

Over the course of his NASCAR career, Johnson has registered 83 Cup Series wins, which also includes two wins at the Daytona 500, one in 2006 and the other in 2013.

The Daytona 500 is a 500-mile NASCAR Cup Series race held every year at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The race has been taking place since 1959, and is now one of NASCAR’s most prestigious events.

It is quite interesting to note that during both his wins in "The Great American Race", Johnson was ninth on the starting grid and won the race from there. Here’s all you need to know about his wins at Daytona 500.

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The 2006 Daytona 500

Syndication: USA TODAY, Daytona 500 - Source: Imagn

In this race that took place on February 19, 2006, Jimmie Johnson started ninth and took the lead on lap 187 from teammate Brian Vickers just before the final round of pit stops. On the final lap of the race, Greg Biffle lost control of his car and triggered a caution, which helped Johnson hold onto his lead and win the race.

Right before the race, Chad Knaus who was Johnson’s crew chief, was suspended for making illegal car modifications in the pre-race inspection and Darian Grubb, who was the lead engineer for Hendrick Motorsports filled for him. Johnson won this race and not only was it special for being his first win on this track, it was also his first win at a superspeedway.

This was the season where Johnson won five races, and also won the first of his seven NASCAR Cup Series Championships.

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The Daytona 500, 2013

NASCAR: Daytona 500 Media Day 2023, Jimmie Johnson - Source: Imagn

On February 24, 2013, Jimmie Johnson went on to record his second Daytona 500 win. Much like 2006, he raced for Hendrick Motorsports in his No. 48 Chevrolet, starting ninth on the grid. He led 17 laps in the race and maintained his lead in the final laps by holding off his then teammate, Dale Earnhardt Jr., who finished second.

Danica Patrick started on pole, and finished in eighth place, which is the highest ever finish by a woman at the Daytona 500. As for Jimmie Johnson, this was his first win of the 2013 Cup Series season.

With two Daytona 500 wins under his belt, the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, is now a co-owner of the Legacy Motor Club where he drives the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE in the NASCAR Cup Series on a part-time basis.