Jimmie Johnson is back in the Daytona 500 after qualifying for “The Great American Race” on Wednesday, and he’s sporting a new look for 2025.
The NASCAR great’s No. 84 car, sponsored by Carvana, comes with a custom Shaquille O’Neal-themed paint job. As it turns out, Johnson isn’t just a fan of the NBA legend — O’Neal had a major hand in the design.
The design harkens back to O’Neal’s time with the Magic when he quickly emerged as one of the most dominant forces in basketball.
Here’s what you need to know about the bet that landed Johnson a pretty sweet paint scheme.
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Jimmie Johnson paint scheme, explained
O’Neal earned the right to design Johnson’s Daytona 500 car when he won a free throw contest over the 49-year-old driver.
While O’Neal was never known for free throw prowess during his legendary career, it’s a reminder that weaknesses for NBA players are typically still much better than the average person. Johnson may not be the average person, but he couldn’t keep up with O’Neal from the free throw line.
O’Neal and Johnson are both sponsored by Carvana, so the promotion resulted in O’Neal designing Johnson’s paint scheme on the No. 84 car.
Well, a bet’s a bet… @SHAQ designed it, and I’m sticking to my word. See it on track February 16th! #Daytona500 pic.twitter.com/JK1nDUm2PA
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) February 8, 2025
“The car looks amazing, and I can’t wait to see him tear up the track next Sunday,” O’Neal said in a release ahead of the race. “Lucky for him, he’s got a better shot at victory lane than at the free-throw line!
The design will excite any 1990s NBA fans, as the hood of Johnson’s car prominently features O’Neal’s “Dunkman” logo, and the pinstripes over black paint resemble the classic Magic uniforms from O’Neal’s four years in Orlando.
O’Neal might have won the bet, but Johnson looks like he came away a winner as well with how fresh his paint scheme will be for the Daytona 500.
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Is Jimmie Johnson racing in the Daytona 500?
Johnson qualified for the Daytona 500 on Wednesday night, securing his spot in “The Great American Race” for the third consecutive year.
Hey @SHAQ, get your popcorn ready. We’re in the show! 🕺🏻 pic.twitter.com/tYXEMlVTl9
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) February 13, 2025
Johnson finished 31st and 28th, respectively, in his last two Daytona 500 appearances since returning to NASCAR on a part-time basis, but the objective at this point in his career isn’t to win every time he races. The 49-year-old was proud of just snagging one of the four open spots in the race.
“It’s a big weight lifted off, to say the least,” Johnson told reporters after qualifying, explaining that it “would’ve really been a bummer to miss the race.”
Johnson qualified alongside another NASCAR veteran in Martin Truex Jr., ensuring plenty of experience will be on the track Sunday.
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