If I have to go through all that he should be taking me out to dinner.
One of the great things about NASCAR has always been how accessible the drivers are to fans. Walk through the garage on any given race weekend and chances are you’ll be able to find your favorite driver for an autograph, and we’ve seen many times where the drivers even spent time with fans who were camping out in the infield the night before a race.
It’s part of why NASCAR fans feel so connected to the sport – and the reason that Jimmie Johnson’s upcoming autograph signing in San Diego is rubbing people the wrong way.
The 7-time NASCAR Cup Series champion retired from full-time racing in 2020 and is now the co-owner of Legacy Motor Club. But this weekend, he’ll be hopping back behind the wheel of not only a Cup Series car but also a Truck Series ride during the inaugural race at the San Diego Street Course at Naval Base Coronado.
Over the weekend, Johnson will be holding an autograph signing for fans, but once you dig into the fine print you see that it’s not exactly for ALL fans: To get into the autograph signing you’ve got to get a wristband, and the only way to get one of those is to buy the 2026 Jimmie Johnson San Diego diecast car from the NASCAR merch store. (For reference, a 1:24 diecast from the NASCAR store usually runs around $100).
Oh, and if you were hoping to buy a diecast to get a wristband so you can get Jimmie to sign your shirt? Forget it, because autographs are limited to signing the diecast car that you just bought.
Now, Johnson isn’t the only driver who requires fans to make a purchase before they’re able to get into an autograph signing. And some drivers require fans to line up to get a wristband, though they don’t require a purchase.
And I get it, to some extent: If a driver doesn’t find some way to limit the crowds, they would either be there forever or leave a lot of fans disappointed when they left without an autograph. And there’s also the problem of autograph sellers, who show up with suitcases full of merch to get signed and turn around and sell on eBay, who are taking opportunities from real fans and forcing drivers to limit autograph signings.
But fans aren’t happy about the requirements just to get the 7-time champion’s signature:
Nobody will ever accuse you of being Richard Petty! What a holier than thou prick! pic.twitter.com/RUbYqyJ6yQ
— Zicklefoose Nazelrod (@Zicklefoose) June 16, 2026
You have to buy a diecast AND are only allowed to get that specific diecast signed? Good lord.
— Harry Bosch (@Derk1587) June 17, 2026
These rules are getting out of hand… really taking the experience AWAY from the fans.. can’t have my bro stand next to me, can’t buy what I want, can’t get signed what I want… @NASCAR do better for your fans .
— Bettertakes (@Hereforinfor23) June 16, 2026
We can argue the $100 all day but what I don’t like that they force you to only get the car signed. Why should they care if I get their car they just sold signed or if I get a hat signed instead
— SocMediaIsSometimesOk (@socmediaisdumb) June 17, 2026
Of course, there will still be plenty of opportunities for fans to collect autographs from drivers who DON’T require you to make a $100 purchase first – something Noah Gragson reminded his fans of after the uproar over Jimmie’s requirements:
That’s how it should be.
