NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal have taken their friendly rivalry to the next level with a new challenge. The well-known NASCAR driver and the towering NBA star have enjoyed some light-hearted exchanges over the years, but things really picked up on Friday.
What started with O’Neal’s good-natured teasing about Johnson’s persistent attempts at the Daytona 500 quickly turned into a challenge.
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The roots of this humorous feud trace back to O’Neal’s remarks about Johnson’s long history with the Daytona 500, having made 22 attempts.
O’Neal, who is not one to shy away from making his thoughts known, wondered aloud if Johnson might be overdoing it a little. Johnson, unfazed and ever the competitor, took it in stride and even jabbed back at the NBA star by questioning his skills on the basketball court.
Turning up the heat, O’Neal threw down the gauntlet with a free-throw shooting challenge, poking fun at his career average of 52% from the line, and proposed an unusual wager. If O’Neal managed to win this friendly competition, he would earn the right to get behind the wheel of Johnson’s Daytona car. In classic Johnson fashion, he quickly responded with a counteroffer.
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O’Neal suggests taking Johnson’s car for a spin, but Johnson had his own idea if he won. He posted:
“Oh, classic @SHAQ sliding in my DMs. Only place you’re driving my car is to dinner. If you win, you can design my Daytona car—how good are you with crayons? If I win, I’ve got some sweet gear for you to rock.”
Oh, classic @SHAQ sliding in my DMs. Only place you’re driving my car is to dinner. If you win, you can design my Daytona car—how good are you with crayons? If I win, I’ve got some sweet gear for you to rock. https://t.co/VH22i2jnpY
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) January 31, 2025
Jimmie Johnson boasts a remarkable NASCAR career, including two impressive triumphs at the Daytona 500. Despite scaling back his racing schedule, he is still a huge figure in the sport.
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2025 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule
Regular Season
- Feb. 2: Winston-Salem (Clash) – 8 p.m., FOX
- Feb. 16: Daytona 500 – 2:30 p.m., FOX
- Feb. 23: Atlanta – 3 p.m., FOX
- Mar. 2: Austin – 3:30 p.m., FOX
- Mar. 9: Phoenix – 3:30 p.m., FS1
- Mar. 16: Las Vegas – 3:30 p.m., FS1
- Mar. 23: Homestead – 3 p.m., FS1
- Mar. 30: Martinsville – 3 p.m., FS1
- Apr. 6: Darlington – 3 p.m., FS1
- Apr. 13: Bristol – 3 p.m., FS1
- Apr. 20: Off (Easter)
- Apr. 27: Talladega – 3 p.m., FOX
- May 4: Texas – 3:30 p.m., FS1
- May 11: Kansas – 3 p.m., FS1
- May 18: North Wilkesboro (All-Star) – 8 p.m., FS1
- May 25: Charlotte – 6 p.m., Prime Video
- June 1: Nashville – 7 p.m., Prime Video
- June 8: Michigan – 2 p.m., Prime Video
- June 15: Mexico City – 3 p.m., Prime Video
- June 22: Pocono – 2 p.m., Prime Video
- June 28: Atlanta – 7 p.m., TNT
- July 6: Chicago street course – 2 p.m., TNT
- July 13: Sonoma – 3:30 p.m., TNT
- July 20: Dover – 2 p.m., TNT
- July 27: Indianapolis – 2 p.m., TNT
- Aug. 3: Iowa – 3:30 p.m., USA
- Aug. 10: Watkins Glen – 2 p.m., USA
- Aug. 16: Richmond – 7:30 p.m., USA
- Aug. 23: Daytona – 7:30 p.m., NBC
Playoffs
- Aug. 31: Darlington – 6 p.m., USA
- Sept. 7: St. Louis – 3 p.m., USA
- Sept. 13: Bristol – 7:30 p.m., USA
- Sept. 21: New Hampshire – 2 p.m., USA
- Sept. 28: Kansas – 3 p.m., USA
- Oct. 5: Charlotte road course – 3 p.m., USA
- Oct. 12: Las Vegas – 5:30 p.m., USA
- Oct. 19: Talladega – 2 p.m., NBC
- Oct. 26: Martinsville – 2 p.m., NBC
- Nov. 2: Phoenix – 3 p.m., NBC
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