“Rookie Mistake” Bites Jimmie Johnson in 700th Cup Start

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer/Photographer

At a venue Jimmie Johnson was the most successful, his 700th NASCAR Cup Series start ends in heartbreak at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The seven-time Cup Series champion became the 21st different driver to reach the 700 Club after taking the green flag for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600. The same venue where he made his Cup debut in October 2001.

As has been much of the case since coming back to NASCAR on a limited basis, Johnson was towards the back of the field and ended the opening stage in 36th.

Then coming to Lap 112, Johnson was running in 31st when his No. 84 Carvana Toyota Camry XSE got loose and brushed the Turn 3 wall.

The impact darted Johnson onto Connor Zilisch, who was making his Cup oval debut, sending him around and also collecting Cole Custer, who slid into the Turn 4 grass.

Problems for @JimmieJohnson in the No. 84! @ColeCuster and @ConnorZilisch are also involved. pic.twitter.com/7E96HqaGbK

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 25, 2025

The three-car incident brought out the third caution of the 400-lap race. While Zilisch and Custer soldiered on, Johnson’s car sustained significant damage with the crew noting the right rear toe link being broken as noted over the radio.

Consequently, Johnson had to bring the wounded Toyota to the garage and his day was over.

After getting out of his car in what people speculate could be the final bow, which isn’t confirmed by any stretch of the imagination, Johnson admitted wrongdoing behind the wheel that spelled doom to his milestone race.

“I think I just made a rookie mistake with the way I let out of the throttle,” said Johnson. “I knew, right when I let off the throttle, I came out too abruptly in the car was a little sideways.

“The traffic situation is just different with this car. My instinct, I kind of reacted the way I shouldn’t have. Once I realized it, it was too late.”

All Johnson could do now is get his street clothes on and watch his LEGACY MOTOR CLUB cars of Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek continue racing. Both cars were to bring home stage points with Nemechek taking fifth and Jones taking eighth.