Johnson joining NASCAR Truck Series field for San Diego

Jimmie Johnson will pull double duty during NASCAR’s inaugural event in San Diego with an entry in the Craftsman Truck Series race for Tricon Garage.

Johnson, a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion who plans to compete in the Cup Series race with the team he owns, Legacy Motor Club, will drive the No. 1 Toyota for Tricon. It will be his first start in the Truck Series since 2008. Carvana will be Johnson’s partner for both events.

“Racing in San Diego means everything to me – it’s home,” Johnson said. “Getting behind the wheel of a Truck Series entry has been on my mind for a while. The competition is incredible, and doing it at a historic street race on a Navy base in my hometown? That’s special. 

“I’m grateful to Tricon and Carvana for making this happen, and honestly, I can’t think of a better way to honor our military and celebrate where I’m from.”

Johnson hails from El Cajon, just outside San Diego.

Johnson qualified ninth at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2008 in his only previous Truck start, driving a Randy Moss entry. He was classified 34th after being involved in a crash.

NASCAR will visit Naval Base Coronado the weekend of June 19-21. The Truck Series field will compete on Friday, June 19.