Jimmie Johnson’s Bold Culinary Choice: A Mexican Fiesta for Daytona 500 Champions
NASCAR has long been a sport rich with traditions, from kissing the bricks at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to raising a goblet of wine at Sonoma Raceway. Yet, surprisingly, the Daytona 500, NASCAR’s most iconic race, lacks a signature celebratory tradition. Taking a page from the golf world, where the Masters Champion selects a dinner menu in their honor, NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson has thrown down the gauntlet with an unexpected culinary choice.
In a recent episode of the ‘Never Settle Podcast,’ hosted by Johnson and sports journalist Marty Smith, the conversation took a delectable turn. Smith challenged Johnson to craft a dinner menu fit for past Daytona 500 winners, and the results were tantalizingly untraditional.
Jimmie Johnson’s Mexican-Inspired Feast
Ditching any semblance of traditional American cuisine, Johnson proposed a mouthwatering array of Mexican delights. His menu began with taquitos, laden with guacamole, sour cream, and salsa. As the main course, guests would enjoy build-your-own fajitas, promising a customizable feast. For dessert, churros drenched in caramel sauce would satisfy any sweet tooth. Of course, no Mexican meal would be complete without Coronas, served with lime wedges for an authentic touch.
Johnson, a California native from El Cajon—a region known for its significant Mexican influence—clearly has a deep-rooted love for Mexican cuisine. This passion even inspired him to open a taco restaurant in Charlotte back in 2017, bringing the flavors of Southern California to the east coast.
Daytona 500 Winners and Their Love for Mexican Cuisine
Jimmie Johnson isn’t the only NASCAR star with a penchant for Mexican food. William Byron, a back-to-back winner of the Great American Race in 2024 and 2025, has openly professed his love for Tex-Mex, aligning perfectly with Johnson’s menu. Denny Hamlin, another Daytona 500 victor, is famously known as a “Mexican food connoisseur,” with a deep affection for tacos that even made headlines when a taco was accidentally dropped on his windshield by Michael Waltrip at Texas Motor Speedway.
Even the legendary Dale Earnhardt Jr., affectionately known as “the Pied Piper,” is a self-proclaimed fan of Mexican food. In interviews, he has expressed a fondness for cooking tacos, making him a perfect guest for Johnson’s proposed dinner.
Johnson’s Menu: A Hit or Miss?
While some might question Johnson’s decision to exclude traditional American dishes from a Daytona 500 celebration, his bold choice reflects his personal culinary journey and the diverse tastes of the NASCAR community. Would a Key Lime Pie have added a Floridian touch? Perhaps. But Johnson’s menu is a testament to his roots and his personal preference.
So, what do you think of Jimmie Johnson’s Mexican-themed menu for the Daytona 500 champions? Would you add or change any dishes? Share your thoughts and culinary suggestions in the comments below.
