Jimmie Johnson Retirement: Vegas Odds Project Title Chances in Final NASCAR Season

In shocking news, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson announced on Twitter that 2020 will be his final season racing as a full-time driver in the sport's top division.

While Johnson's on-track performance has certainly dropped off in recent years, it was generally believed that the driver of the No. 48 Chevy would remain in the car for at least a couple more seasons.

With 2020 now officially Johnson's final full-time season, it also means it's the last time that the Hendrick Motorsports driver will run for a championship. This is significant since Johnson's seven titles put him in a first place tie with NASCAR legends Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

As a result, next season will mark Jimmie's final chance to break the tie and retire with the most championships in NASCAR Cup Series history.

But after two winless seasons, can Johnson put it all together for one final title run?

Jimmie Johnson 2020 NASCAR Championship Odds

According to the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas, Johnson is a 40-1 longshot to win his record-setting eighth championship.

Eleven drivers currently have better odds than Johnson, with Alex Bowman, Kurt Busch, Clint Bowyer, Aric Almirola and Matt DiBenedetto also listed at 40-1.

Fans hoping to see Johnson go out on a higher note should instead turn to the 2020 Daytona 500.

Jimmie Johnson 2020 Daytona 500 Odds

At 30-1, oddsmakers in Vegas believe that the two-time winner of the Great American Race (2006, 2013) has a better chance to win the 2020 Daytona 500 than the season-long championship.