The back-and-forth between Jimmie Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal took another turn Friday. The NASCAR icon fired back at the NBA legend and made a new proposal in their free throw competition.
This all started when O’Neal called out Johnson for trying for the Daytona 500 once again. He will look to make his 22nd appearance in the race, and O’Neal joked about whether 22 years was enough. Johnson said he still has more in the tank, but asked how Shaq’s jump shot is.
The social media spat continued and developed into a free throw competition. O’Neal suggested he’d get to drive Johnson’s Daytona car if he wins. But Johnson took things a step further.
“Oh, classic @SHAQ sliding in my DMs,” Johnson wrote Friday. “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.”
More on Jimmie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal’s back-and-forth
O’Neal, of course, wasn’t known much for that jump shot or his efficiency at the charity stripe. He retired as a career 52% free throw shooter but was as dominant a center as anyone has ever seen in the NBA. Without knowing much of his prowess on the hardwood, Johnson has to like his chances against O’Neal — in a free throw competition, that is.
O’Neal, of course, retired from the NBA in 2011 and is a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. He’s also a staple of TNT’s Inside The NBA, which will move to ESPN next season as part of a sublicensing agreement.
Johnson, meanwhile, made his Daytona 500 debut in 2002 and has two victories to his name. But at 49 years old, he’s racing a more limited schedule.
As part of his announcement, he also released his 2025 schedule. It only includes a second race in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte. If he qualifies in both races, Charlotte will be his 700th Cup Series start. Carvana will serve as the sponsor for Johnson, and he will be back in the No. 84 for his team, Legacy Motor Club.
Johnson, who co-owns Legacy alongside Maury Gallagher, has competed in 12 races over the last two seasons, making nine starts in 2024. His best finish was a P26 result in the last season’s finale at Phoenix. Johnson has an average finish of 31.8.
Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson is not backing down from his latest challenge against basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal. After their intense free throw competition went viral on social media, Johnson has decided to raise the stakes and double down on their friendly rivalry.
In a recent interview, Johnson revealed that he and Shaq have agreed to a rematch on the basketball court, but this time with even higher stakes. Not only will the loser have to wear the other’s jersey during a NASCAR race, but they have also decided to donate $10,000 to charity in the winner’s name.
“I’m not one to back down from a challenge, especially when it comes to competing against a legend like Shaq,” Johnson said. “I may not be able to dunk like him, but I’ll do whatever it takes to come out on top in this free throw competition.”
The NASCAR superstar has been putting in extra practice on the basketball court in preparation for the rematch, determined to show that he has what it takes to outshoot the 7’1″ basketball icon.
Fans are eagerly awaiting the results of this epic showdown between two sports greats, eager to see who will come out on top and claim bragging rights in this unique cross-sport rivalry. Stay tuned for updates on the Johnson vs. O’Neal free throw competition!
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