Jimmie Johnson will drive the No. 84 car for Legacy Motor Club after acquiring an ownership stake in the organization last year. Johnson, 47, will compete in the 2023 Daytona 500 next weekend.
The seven-time NASCAR champion announced the new name for the organization, which was previously Petty GMS Motorsports, and his new number last month. Many speculated the No. 49 or No. 44 would have made sense but Johnson went with the No. 84 car.
While the process of choosing a number could have been hard for Johnson, it sounds like that was not the case and the No. 84 was the perfect fit for him moving forward into the 2023 NASCAR season.
Related: Jimmie Johnson could drive up to 10 NASCAR Cup Series races in 2023
Jimmie Johnson talks about choosing the No. 84, why the team didn’t select the No. 44
Johnson drove the No. 48 car for Hendrick Motorsports from 2001 to 2020 so many may have been expecting him to choose the No. 84 car as the numbers are switched. However, it appears that may not be the specific reason why it was chosen.
The seven-time champion spoke to FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass about the process of picking the No. 84 car and revealed another number that was considered by everyone.
“No. 84, well, to back up to my childhood racing days. The No. 4, the No. 8, have always been significant numbers for me. That’s why when I was able to help pick the number at Hendrick Motorsports, I chose No. 48. Looking at the list and what was available, No. 84 was on there. They are two numbers I can’t live without, so No. 84 it is…There was a thought process around No. 44 and maybe long-term for the race team itself it might make sense, but No. 44 is not available.”
Jimmie Johnson on choosing the No. 84 as his new NASCAR number
Johnson actually explained why he chose the No. 48 car at Hendrick Motorsports in this answer too. Plus, it does not appear to be a surprise that he chose the No. 84 car based on his response.
The No. 44 car would have made sense for Legacy Motor Club since they already run the No. 42 and No. 43 cars but NY Racing Team has the rights to the No. 44 car after Greg Biffle piloted it in select events last season.
Therefore, the No. 84 car made the most sense for everyone involved. Johnson gets to continue the tradition of running a number linked to his childhood, which even took place in the NTT IndyCar Series with Chip Ganassi Racing.
Legacy Motor Club can always change the No. 84 car to the No. 44 car if the number ever becomes available; however, it seems like the right choice was made for the 2023 season.