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Legacy Motor Club

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Legacy Motor Club
Owner(s)Maury Gallagher
Jimmie Johnson
Richard Petty (Team Ambassador)
Principal(s)Cal Wells (CEO)
Mike Beam (President)
BaseStatesville, North Carolina[1]
SeriesNASCAR Cup Series
Race driversCup Series
42. Noah Gragson (R), Grant Enfinger, Josh Berry, Mike Rockenfeller, Carson Hocevar, John Hunter Nemechek
43. Erik Jones
84. Jimmie Johnson (part-time)
SponsorsCup Series
42. Wendy's, Sunseeker Resort, Black Rifle Coffee
43. Guns N' Roses,[2] Allegiant, U.S. Air Force, Club Wyndham, Bommarito Automotive Group, Draiver, Vs. Everybody
84. Carvana, Club Wyndham
ManufacturerChevrolet (currently)
Toyota (in 2024)
Opened2021
Career
DebutCup Series:
2022 Daytona 500 (Daytona)
Latest raceCup Series:
2024 Straight Talk Wireless 400 (Homestead)
Races competedTotal: 70
Cup Series: 70
Drivers' ChampionshipsTotal: 0
Cup Series: 0
Race victoriesTotal: 1
Cup Series: 1
Pole positionsTotal: 0
Cup Series: 0

Legacy Motor Club, formerly known as Petty GMS Motorsports, is an American professional stock car racing team owned by Maury Gallagher and Jimmie Johnson.[3] The team competes in the NASCAR Cup Series where they currently field three Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 teams: the No. 42 full-time for multiple drivers, the No. 43 full-time for Erik Jones, and the No. 84 part-time for team co-owner Johnson. The team has a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing.[4]

History

The team was known as Petty GMS Motorsports from December 2021 to January 2023

On December 1, 2021, Gallagher purchased a majority interest in the former Richard Petty Motorsports for US$19 million. The deal included both of RPM's charters; the No. 43 continued to operate with its charter while the second charter - which was leased to Rick Ware Racing for the No. 51 from 2019 to 2021 - was transferred to a second car for the team, the No. 42.[5] Following the purchase, the team was renamed to Petty GMS Motorsports.

On September 16, 2022, Kelly Crandall tweeted that Petty GMS Motorsports will use Joe Gibbs Racing pit crews in 2023.[6] On November 4, seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson purchased an ownership stake in Petty GMS.[7][8] Following the 2022 season, Richard Petty sold all shares of Petty GMS Motorsports to majority owner Gallagher.[9]

On January 11, 2023, the team announced the rebranding of the organization to Legacy Motor Club, marking the first time since the founding of NASCAR in 1949 that the Petty family has not had their name on a team in NASCAR's top series.[10] On February 18, Petty announced that Johnson had taken control of the team's day-to-day operations, leaving him without decision-making power.[11] On May 3, the team announced it will switch manufacturers from Chevrolet to Toyota in 2024.[12] On July 26, Cal Wells was appointed as the team's CEO.[13] On August 25, Bill Scott was promoted from Executive Vice President & General Counsel to COO.[14] On October 10, Matt Kenseth was named the team’s Competition Advisor.[15]

Cup Series

Car No. 42 history

Ty Dillon (2022)
Ty Dillon in the No. 42 at Auto Club Speedway in 2022

On June 17, 2021, Gallagher announced that GMS Racing would move up to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2022.[16] On October 10, GMS announced that Ty Dillon would drive the then-No. 94 in their inaugural Cup season.[17] On December 1, Gallagher purchased a majority interest in Richard Petty Motorsports for US$19 million. The deal included both of RPM's charters; the No. 43 would continue to operate with its charter while the second charter - which was leased to Rick Ware Racing for the No. 51 from 2019 to 2021 - would be transferred to GMS' entry which was re-numbered from 94 to No. 42.[18]

Dillon began the 2022 season with an 11th place finish at the 2022 Daytona 500. Throughout the season, he only scored a top-10 finish at the Bristol dirt race. On July 15, Dillon announced that he would part ways with Petty GMS at the end of the 2022 season.[19] Prior to the Pocono race, the No. 42 was docked 35 driver and owner points for an L1 penalty when the pre-race inspection revealed issues on the car's rocker box vent hole.[20] At Kansas, the No. 42 began to use pit crew members from Joe Gibbs Racing; both the No. 42 and No. 43 will use JGR pit crew members starting in 2023.[21] Dillon ended the season 29th in the points standings.[22]

Noah Gragson, multiple drivers (2023)
Noah Gragson in the No. 42 at Auto Club Speedway in 2023

On August 10, Petty GMS announced that Noah Gragson would replace Dillon for the 2023 season, having signed a two-year contract with the team.[23][24] Gragson started the season with a 24th-place finish at the 2023 Daytona 500. Shortly after finishing 29th at Kansas, he confronted Ross Chastain over a racing incident between them that resulted in Gragson hitting the outside wall. Gragson shoved Chastain, who retaliated with a punch to the face.[25] At Gateway, Gragson was involved in a hard crash due to a brake rotor failure. His car spun down toward the apron and then back up the track, hitting the wall first with the rear of his car and then the front. Gragson suffered concussion-like symptoms from the crash and was replaced by Grant Enfinger at Sonoma.[26] Enfinger finished 26th.[27] On August 5, NASCAR and LMC suspended Gragson indefinitely for violation of Section 4.4.D. of the NASCAR Rule Book, which concerns member conduct, after Gragson liked an offensive meme related to the murder of George Floyd on social media.[28] Josh Berry replaced Gragson at Michigan, where he finished 34th after a hard crash in Turn 4 on Lap 51.[29] Mike Rockenfeller drove the No. 42 to a 24th place finish at Indianapolis and 19th at Watkins Glen.[30] He is scheduled to race at the Charlotte Roval.[31] On August 10, Gragson requested to be released from his contract with LMC so he can focus on the reinstatement process.[32] Carson Hocevar drove the No. 42 to a 17th place finish at Darlington.[33] Hocevar finished 20th at Kansas, earning the No. 42’s first back-to-back top 20 finishes since Atlanta and COTA. A week later, he scored a career-best 11th place finish at the Bristol night race.[34] On October 4, Hocevar was signed for the final four races.[35] On October 16, LMC announced that John Hunter Nemechek would drive the No. 42 at Homestead instead of Hocevar, with Hocevar still running the final two races.[36] Nemechek finished 32nd after being involved in a crash on Lap 222.[37]

John Hunter Nemechek (2024)

On September 6, 2023, Legacy Motor Club announced that John Hunter Nemechek will drive the No. 42 in 2024.[38]

Car No. 42 results

Legacy Motor Club #42
NASCAR Cup Series results
Year Driver No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Owners Pts
2022 Ty Dillon 42 Chevy DAY
11
CAL
17
LVS
20
PHO
15
ATL
36
COA
20
RCH
24
MAR
23
BRD
10
TAL
33
DOV
27
DAR
12
KAN
20
CLT
13
GTW
27
SON
23
NSH
31
ROA
20
ATL
28
NHA
33
POC
22
IND
34
MCH
14
RCH
17
GLN
16
DAY
18
DAR
22
KAN
20
BRI
26
TEX
16
TAL
23
CLT
25
LVS
33
HOM
24
MAR
31
PHO
26
31st 518
2023 Noah Gragson DAY
24
CAL
22
LVS
30
PHO
29
ATL
12
COA
20
RCH
37
BRD
33
MAR
30
TAL
32
DOV
34
KAN
29
DAR
26
CLT
36
GTW
33
NSH
26
CSC
25
ATL
33
NHA
32
POC
22
RCH
28
* *
Grant Enfinger SON
26
Josh Berry MCH
34
DAY
22
Mike Rockenfeller IRC
24
GLN
19
ROV
29
Carson Hocevar DAR
17
KAN
20
BRI
11
TEX
16
TAL
35
LVS
35
MAR PHO
John Hunter Nemechek HOM
32
2024 Toyota DAY ATL LVS PHO BRI COA RCH MAR TEX TAL DOV KAN DAR CLT GTW SON IOW NHA NSH CSC POC IND RCH MCH DAY DAR ATL GLN BRI KAN TAL ROV LVS HOM MAR PHO

Car No. 43 history

Erik Jones (2022–present)
Erik Jones in the No. 43 at Auto Club Speedway in 2022

On October 21, 2020, it was announced that Richard Petty Motorsports had signed Erik Jones to a multi-year contract to drive the 43 car.[39] When GMS bought Richard Petty Motorsports in 2021, Jones was retained to drive the 43 car.

Jones began the 2022 season with a 29th place finish at the 2022 Daytona 500. He scored thirteen top-10 finishes during the season, including a third-place finish at Fontana and a fourth-place finish at Atlanta. Prior to the Pocono race, the No. 43 was docked 35 driver and owner points for an L1 penalty when the pre-race inspection revealed issues on the car's rocker box vent hole.[20] Jones was signed to a multi-year agreement on July 30.[40] Despite not making the playoffs, he won at Darlington, giving Petty GMS its first win. In addition, he gave the No. 43 its first win since 2014 and its overall 200th win.[41] Jones ended the season 18th in the points standings.[22]

Jones started the 2023 season with hard rock band Guns N' Roses sponsoring the No. 43 for the 2023 Daytona 500, where he finished 37th after wrecking out early.[2][42] At Talladega, Jones earned his third consecutive sixth place finish at the track (he finished sixth in both races in 2022), and claim his second top-10 of the season.[43] On June 7, following an 18th place finish at the Gateway race, NASCAR gave the No. 43 an L1 penalty after a post-race inspection revealed illegal modifications to the car's greenhouse. As a result, the team was docked 60 driver and owner points and five playoff points. In addition, crew chief Dave Elenz was fined US$75,000 and suspended for two races.[44] After a 32nd place finish at Sonoma, Jones finished 16th or better in the next 5 consecutive races, including an 8th place finish at Nashville and a 9th place finish at Pocono. Jones earned his fifth top-10 of the season at Michigan, finishing 10th. Jones failed to qualify for the playoffs after finishing 18th in the regular season finale at Daytona. At Darlington, Jones finished 10th, his sixth top-10 of the season. At Kansas, Jones started on the front row for an overtime restart after a two-tire gamble. After battling Joey Logano for the lead, Tyler Reddick passed them both coming to the white flag. Jones ultimately finished 3rd, his first top-5 since his victory at the 2022 Cook Out Southern 500 and his seventh top-10 of the season. Additionally, this was LMC’s first top-5 finish as an organization.

Car No. 43 results

Legacy Motor Club #43
Year Driver No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Owners Pts
2022 Erik Jones 43 Chevy DAY
29
CAL
3
LVS
31
PHO
25
ATL
14
COA
9
RCH
23
MAR
13
BRD
24
TAL
6
DOV
10
DAR
25
KAN
32
CLT
14
GTW
7
SON
22
NSH
11
ROA
26
ATL
4
NHA
19
POC
9
IRC
15
MCH
8
RCH
35
GLN
10
DAY
17
DAR
1
KAN
29
BRI
21
TEX
6
TAL
6
ROV
11
LVS
8
HOM
30
MAR
18
PHO
14
19th 831
2023 DAY
37
CAL
19
LVS
19
PHO
21
ATL
8
COA
23
RCH
31
BRD
14
MAR
31
TAL
6
DOV
16
KAN
21
DAR
25
CLT
32
GTW
18
SON
32
NSH
8
CSC
16
ATL
11
NHA
11
POC
9
RCH
23
MCH
10
IRC
36
GLN
29
DAY
18
DAR
10
KAN
3
BRI
24
TEX
30
TAL
26
ROV
36
LVS
27
HOM
14
MAR PHO * *
2024 Toyota DAY ATL LVS PHO BRI COA RCH MAR TEX TAL DOV KAN DAR CLT GTW SON IOW NHA NSH CSC POC IND RCH MCH DAY DAR ATL GLN BRI KAN TAL ROV LVS HOM MAR PHO

Car No. 84 history

Part-time with Jimmie Johnson (2023–2024)
Jimmie Johnson in the No. 84 at Daytona International Speedway in 2023

On January 11, 2023, Legacy Motor Club announced seven time champion Jimmie Johnson will run with a part time schedule in 2023, starting with the 2023 Daytona 500 driving the No. 84 entry. The number is an inverse of Johnson's famous 48 car (still run by Johnson's long-time team Hendrick Motorsports). Johnson also chose the number due to him having 83 wins, and his goal to get one more, which would tie him with Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip for fourth all time. On February 14, Johnson made the entry field by scoring the fastest lap among the non-chartered teams.[45] He would finish 31st after wrecking out in the first overtime attempt on Lap 203.[42] Johnson would then make a start at the COTA race in March, where he finished 38th after wrecking out on Lap 1.[46] Johnson's next start would come at the 2023 Coca-Cola 600 in May. He finished 37th after spinning out twice and only completing 115 laps.[47] On June 26, Johnson’s in-laws were involved in a possible murder-suicide at their house in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Johnson was on the original entry list for the Chicago street course race, but on June 27, Legacy Motor Club announced it would withdraw his entry from the race due to the tragedy.[48][49] On September 6, Johnson announced on NASCAR Race Hub that he would not compete in any more races in 2023.[50]

On June 13, 2023, Toyota Racing Development President David Wilson said that Johnson will run another part-time schedule in 2024 when Legacy Motor Club switches from Chevrolet to Toyota at the end of the season.[51] On September 6, Johnson also announced on NASCAR Race Hub that he would drive select races again in the No. 84 in 2024 and that a schedule should be released soon.[50]

Car No. 84 results

Legacy Motor Club #84
Year Driver No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Owners Pts
2023 Jimmie Johnson 84 Chevy DAY
31
CAL LVS PHO ATL COA
38
RCH BRD MAR TAL DOV KAN DAR CLT
37
GTW SON NSH CSC
Wth
ATL NHA POC RCH MCH IRC GLN DAY DAR KAN BRI TEX TAL ROV LVS HOM MAR PHO 40th 12
2024 Toyota DAY ATL LVS PHO BRI COA RCH MAR TEX TAL DOV KAN DAR CLT GTW SON IOW NHA NSH CSC POC IND RCH MCH DAY DAR ATL GLN BRI KAN TAL ROV LVS HOM MAR PHO

References

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  33. ^ "Cook Out Southern 500 Race Results". NASCAR. September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
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  38. ^ "John Hunter Nemechek to drive Legacy Motor Club No. 42 in 2024". NASCAR. September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  39. ^ Fryer, Jenna (October 21, 2020). "Jones lands iconic No. 43 with Richard Petty Motorsports". Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  40. ^ "Erik Jones Returning to Petty GMS Racing". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. July 30, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  41. ^ Spencer, Reid (September 4, 2022). "Erik Jones pulls off Southern 500 stunner in upset win at Darlington". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  42. ^ a b "Daytona 500 results: The finishing order of the 2023 NASCAR Cup opener". Motorsport Network. February 20, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  43. ^ Glover, Luken (April 24, 2023). "The Underdog House: Erik Jones' Luck Finally Turns Around at Talladega". Frontstretch. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  44. ^ "NASCAR levies L1-level penalty against No. 43 Cup team post-St. Louis". NASCAR. June 7, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  45. ^ Albert, Zack (February 15, 2023). "Jimmie Johnson, Travis Pastrana seal Daytona 500 berths". NASCAR. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  46. ^ "2023 NASCAR Cup at COTA race results". us.motorsport.com. 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  47. ^ Christie, Toby (2023-05-29). "Video: Jimmie Johnson Done for Day After Two Crashes in Coca-Cola 600". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  48. ^ "NASCAR driver's in-laws, nephew dead after possible murder-suicide in Muskogee". www.fox23.com. 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  49. ^ "Jimmie Johnson withdraws from Chicago race after family tragedy". www.motorsport.com. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  50. ^ a b "No more races for Jimmie Johnson this season". Jayski’s Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  51. ^ "TRD president David Wilson says Jimmie Johnson will run a Toyota in 2024". Jayski’s Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. June 15, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2023.