Legacy Motor Club has announced that Erik Jones will have Justin Alexander as his new crew chief for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series, a change aimed at strengthening the No. 43 team as they enter a pivotal season. The Erik Jones new crew chief move is expected to provide valuable experience to the lineup as the organization seeks enhanced performance on the track.
Alexander Brings Years of Winning Experience
Justin Alexander, coming from over a decade with Richard Childress Racing, brings a proven record of success to Legacy Motor Club. Alexander guided drivers to five Cup Series victories, including a win at the 2018 Daytona 500, and two triumphs in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. His leadership and communication style are seen as highly compatible with Legacy’s current ambitions and team culture.
Team owner Jimmie Johnson expressed optimism about the transition, stating,
“We’re continuing to evolve and refine every part of our race program and Justin is a tremendous addition to our crew chief lineup,”
Johnson said.
“His experience, communication style and leadership align perfectly with the direction we’re headed. We appreciate Ben’s hard work and look forward to his continued contributions as he transitions into his new role.”
– Jimmie Johnson, Team Owner
Ben Beshore Moves to Director of Race Engineering
Ben Beshore, who served as Erik Jones’ crew chief through 2025, will step into the role of director of race engineering for the team. In the 2025 season, Beshore helped lead Jones to four top-five finishes, showing marked improvement from the previous year’s two top-10s and a 28th-place points finish. Beshore’s results with the team indicate a step forward, and his background at Joe Gibbs Racing, as well as his 15 NOAPS wins and three NASCAR Cup Series victories with Kyle Busch, highlights his depth of experience and engineering talent.
Legacy’s Plans and Lineup for 2026 and Beyond
Legacy Motor Club’s 2026 racing plans include fielding two cars with John Hunter Nemechek in the No. 42 and Erik Jones in the No. 43. The team has signaled openness to future expansion, potentially adding a third full-time car in 2027. There was recent speculation about growth following a settled charter dispute with Rick Ware Racing, but Johnson clarified there will be no third car in 2026. Attention remains on Jesse Love, the 2025 NOAPS champion currently driving for Richard Childress Racing, as a strong candidate for future opportunities. Love is set to return to RCR’s No. 2 Chevrolet in 2026 to defend his title.
Changes within the upper management were also announced, with Scott Roggenbauer, previously the chief financial officer, taking on the responsibilities of chief operating officer. These organizational shifts reflect an intensified focus on competition and operational excellence.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and Key Races
Jimmie Johnson revealed that his 2026 schedule will include marquee events such as the Daytona 500 and a race at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego. With the addition of an experienced crew chief like Justin Alexander for Erik Jones, fans and competitors alike will watch closely to see if these changes help the team climb the rankings in the coming season. Legacy Motor Club’s willingness to adapt and strengthen their lineup signals a hopeful and energized approach as they chase greater success in NASCAR’s top series.
