Legacy Motor Club Overview
Legacy Motor Club is an American professional stock car racing team headquartered in Statesville, North Carolina. The organization competes in the NASCAR Cup Series, where it fields three Toyota Camry entries: the No. 42 full-time for John Hunter Nemechek, the No. 43 full-time for Erik Jones, and the No. 84 part-time for co-owner Jimmie Johnson. The team maintains a technical alliance with Toyota Racing Development and has expanded its operations to include IndyCar Series participation. Founded in 2021 through Maury Gallagher’s acquisition of Richard Petty Motorsports, the organization underwent a significant rebranding in 2023 when seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson became majority owner, marking a new era for the team with high-profile ownership and competitive driver lineups.
Founding and Organizational Origins
The origins of Legacy Motor Club trace back to December 1, 2021, when Maury Gallagher purchased a majority interest in the former Richard Petty Motorsports for $19 million. This acquisition included both of RPM’s NASCAR charters, with the No. 43 continuing to operate under its existing charter while the second charter—previously leased to Rick Ware Racing for the No. 51 from 2019 to 2021—was transferred to a second entry, which became the No. 42. Following the purchase, the organization was renamed Petty GMS Motorsports.
Gallagher’s acquisition represented a significant investment in NASCAR’s top series, bringing GMS Racing up from the NASCAR Xfinity Series to the Cup Series level. The deal preserved the iconic No. 43 car number, which carries deep NASCAR heritage tied to Richard Petty, one of the sport’s most celebrated drivers. The new ownership structure allowed the team to immediately field two full-time entries in the NASCAR Cup Series while building out the operational infrastructure needed for sustained competition.
On November 4, 2022, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson purchased an ownership stake in Petty GMS, bringing additional prestige and experience to the organization. Following the conclusion of the 2022 season, Richard Petty sold all remaining shares of Petty GMS Motorsports to majority owner Gallagher, concluding the Petty family’s direct ownership role in NASCAR’s top series that dated back decades.
Growth Into NASCAR Cup Series Competition
The transition from Xfinity Series competition to the NASCAR Cup Series required substantial organizational growth. On September 16, 2022, Petty GMS Motorsports announced a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing, whereby the team would utilize Joe Gibbs Racing pit crews beginning in the 2023 season. This partnership provided immediate operational support and expertise that helped elevate the team’s competitive capabilities.
On January 11, 2023, the organization announced its rebranding to Legacy Motor Club, representing a new chapter in the team’s history. The rebrand marked the first time since NASCAR’s founding in 1949 that the Petty family did not have their name associated with a team in the sport’s top series. Less than two months later, on February 18, Richard Petty announced that Johnson had assumed control of the team’s day-to-day operations, though Petty retained a minority ownership stake.
The team underwent significant leadership changes during this period. On July 26, Cal Wells was appointed as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer, bringing experienced leadership to guide the team’s competitive direction. On August 25, Bill Scott was promoted from Executive Vice President and General Counsel to Chief Operating Officer, further strengthening the executive team. On October 10, former NASCAR champion Matt Kenseth joined the organization as Competition Advisor, adding valuable technical insight to the team’s engineering and strategy operations.
Legacy Motor Club Competitive Journey
Since its formation, Legacy Motor Club has steadily built its presence in professional motorsports, progressing from a newly formed Cup Series organization to a multi-series competitor with experienced drivers, technical partnerships, and growing achievements. The team’s competitive journey spans its initial Cup Series seasons, a manufacturer transition, and expansion into additional racing disciplines, establishing Legacy Motor Club as a notable presence in American stock car racing.
Early Seasons and Development (2022)
The 2022 season marked Legacy Motor Club’s inaugural campaign under its new ownership structure. Ty Dillon drove the No. 42 entry in the team’s first Cup Series season, beginning with an eleventh-place finish at the Daytona 500. Throughout the season, Dillon managed to score only one top-ten finish, coming at the Bristol dirt race, as the organization focused on establishing its operational footing at NASCAR’s highest level.
Erik Jones, who had signed with Richard Petty Motorsports in 2020, continued driving the No. 43 car after the ownership transition. Jones demonstrated stronger performance, recording thirteen top-ten finishes during the season, including a third-place result at Fontana and a fourth-place finish at Atlanta. The team’s first season culminated with a breakthrough victory at Darlington, where Jones won the Cook Out Southern 500. This win gave Petty GMS Motorsports its first victory and marked the No. 43 car’s first win since the 2014 Coke Zero 400, bringing the total career wins for the number to 200.
Breakthrough in NASCAR Cup Series (2023–2024)
The 2023 season brought significant changes and challenges for Legacy Motor Club. On August 10, the team announced that Noah Gragson would replace Ty Dillon in the No. 42 entry for the 2023 season under a two-year contract. Gragson’s season was derailed at Gateway when a brake rotor failure caused a hard crash that resulted in concussion-like symptoms, requiring replacement driver Grant Enfinger to take over at Sonoma.
More significantly, on August 5, 2023, NASCAR and Legacy Motor Club suspended Gragson indefinitely for violating Section 4.4.D of the NASCAR Rule Book concerning member conduct, after Gragson liked an offensive meme related to the murder of George Floyd on social media. Josh Berry, followed by Mike Rockenfeller and Carson Hocevar, filled the No. 42 seat for the remainder of the season. Hocevar scored a career-best eleventh-place finish at the Bristol night race and was signed for the final four races. The No. 42 team concluded the season 32nd in the owners’ standings.
Erik Jones and the No. 43 team delivered a more consistent performance. Despite not qualifying for the playoffs, Jones accumulated six top-ten finishes, including a third-place result at Kansas during the playoff race at Darlington. This third-place finish represented LMC’s only top-five finish of the entire 2023 season.
On May 3, 2023, Legacy Motor Club announced it would switch manufacturers from Chevrolet to Toyota beginning in 2024, establishing a technical alliance with Toyota Racing Development. This marked a significant technical shift for the organization and aligned the team with a manufacturer known for its strong commitment to NASCAR programs.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2025–Present)
On January 27, 2025, Jimmie Johnson was named majority owner of Legacy Motor Club, with Knighthead Capital Management purchasing a minority stake and Maury Gallagher transitioning to an ambassador role. This leadership transition placed the seven-time champion at the helm of the organization’s day-to-day operations. Bobby Kennedy was named General Manager on July 14, 2024, strengthening the executive leadership team.
For the 2024 season, the team hired Corey Heim as a simulation and reserve driver, with Heim also serving in the same capacity for 23XI Racing. Heim filled in for Erik Jones at Dover and Kansas after Jones sustained a compression fracture in a lower vertebra following a hard crash at Talladega. Kaz Grala replaced Heim as the reserve driver for the 2025 season.
On March 25, 2026, Darius Rucker was named co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, adding further celebrity involvement and investment to the organization. The team announced on April 28, 2026, that it would partner with Arrow McLaren to field the No. 31 entry for Ryan Hunter-Reay in the 2026 Indianapolis 500, marking the team’s expansion into IndyCar Series competition.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
Legacy Motor Club operates with a philosophy centered on building sustainable competitive infrastructure while leveraging its high-profile ownership and driver lineup. The team’s technical alliance with Toyota Racing Development provides access to industry-leading engineering support and development resources. With drivers including the experienced Jimmie Johnson, the established Erik Jones, and the emerging John Hunter Nemechek, the organization balances veteran leadership with youthful talent development.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
The team’s most significant milestone remains Erik Jones’s victory at the 2022 Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, delivering Petty GMS Motorsports its first win and the No. 43 car’s first victory since 2014. The 2025 season saw Jimmie Johnson achieve his highest finish as an owner-driver with a third-place result at the Daytona 500. The organization has also navigated legal disputes, including a lawsuit against Rick Ware Racing over a charter purchase that was ultimately settled in September 2025, with LMC acquiring the disputed charter.
Legacy Motor Club Achievements and Results
Legacy Motor Club has accumulated competitive results across multiple seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series while expanding its racing portfolio. The organization’s record includes one total victory, participation across 165 total races, and consistent top-ten performances from its drivers. While championships remain an aspirational goal, the team has established itself as a competitive presence in NASCAR’s top series with growing infrastructure and technical resources.
NASCAR Cup Series Achievements
The team’s signature achievement came at Darlington Raceway on September 4, 2022, when Erik Jones drove the No. 43 car to victory lane in the Cook Out Southern 500. This win marked the organization’s first Cup Series victory and delivered the 200th career win for the iconic No. 43 car number, a significant milestone in NASCAR history. Jones also secured third-place finishes at Fontana in 2022 and Kansas in 2023, representing the team’s best overall results during its formative seasons.
Driver Performance Highlights
Erik Jones has served as the backbone of Legacy Motor Club’s competitive efforts, delivering consistent performances including the landmark 2022 Darlington victory and multiple top-ten finishes each season. John Hunter Nemechek took over the No. 42 entry beginning in 2024, bringing experience from his Xfinity Series championship background. Jimmie Johnson’s part-time participation in the No. 84 has provided valuable insights and publicity, with his third-place finish at the 2025 Daytona 500 representing the team’s best superspeedway result as an organization.
Multi-Series Competition
Legacy Motor Club expanded beyond NASCAR competition in 2024 by joining the Extreme E electric off-road racing series. Jimmie Johnson served as the lead driver, with Travis Pastrana substituting during the season’s opening rounds alongside Gray Leadbetter. The team finished sixth in the opening two rounds at the Desert X-Prix while scoring its first Super Sector achievement. The organization did not continue into the series’ transition to Extreme H in 2025. Looking ahead, the 2026 IndyCar Series entry with Ryan Hunter-Reay at the Indianapolis 500 represents the team’s continued diversification into open-wheel competition.
