CONCORD, N.C. -- The start of Jimmie Johnson's final playoff appearance as a full-time driver kicks off at Darlington Raceway where the track will honor the Cup Series seven-time champion.
The track "Too Tough to Tame" will rename three, eight-person suites on top of the Colvin Grandstand the Jimmie Johnson Champions Club.
“It’s such an honor to have my name on anything at Darlington," Johnson said. "The history of the sport runs so deep here, it’s so special to me. Not many people know this but my first time testing a Busch Series car was when I was ‘discovered’ by Ricky Hendrick and Jeff Gordon and my Cup career at Hendrick Motorsports got started.
"I love this track, the racing is second to none, always exciting and am humbled by the support over the years."
Johnson has won at Darlington three times in his 19-season Cup Series career. He won the Southern 500 two times (2004 and 2012) and was victorious at the 400-mile race there in 2004. Overall, he has nine top-five finishes at the track and 13 top-10s. He is one of nine drivers to sweep a NASCAR season at the South Carolina venue.
Watch Johnson compete at Darlington for the final time as a full-time driver Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Take a look below to see how Darlington Raceway paid homage to Johnson and his legacy.
