Following a strong top-five finish at Atlanta last week, Erik Jones shared insights on what Legacy Motor Club (LMC) needs to compete consistently with NASCAR powerhouses like Team Penske and Joe Gibbs Racing. As the team prepared for the Chicago Street Race, Jones acknowledged the challenges involved in breaking into the sport’s elite ranks, emphasizing the difficulty of securing top-10 or top-15 finishes in this highly competitive arena.
Legacy Motor Club has moved from the back of the pack to a steady presence in the mid-field, with occasional appearances in the top 10. Both Jones and his teammate John Hunter Nemechek have already surpassed their total top-10 finishes from the previous season, demonstrating clear advancement. Jones has earned multiple top-five qualifying spots, while Nemechek has managed consecutive top-five finishes on two occasions this year. Currently, Jones holds an average finish position of 18, with Nemechek close behind at 19, underscoring the upward trajectory of the team.
Erik Jones Discusses What’s Needed for Legacy Motor Club to Become a Front-Runner
During a press session on July 4, Jones was asked about the remaining obstacles for LMC to rise to the top tier of NASCAR competition. He explained the significant leap required to move from mid-pack finishes to winning positions, describing that while advancing from 30th to the top 15 is challenging, the jump from top 10 to victory demands even more effort and resources.
“So, in racing, I think you go, you’re running 30th like we were last year, it’s not easy to get better to grunt top 15 or top 10, but it’s a lot easier to get to that point than it is to go from top 10 to top five to winning. So, this is kind of where that magic starts to happen.”
“And it takes some really good people to find some really minute things in race cars and then it comes down to the drivers as well, right…..I think we’re right there a step away of of being, you know, up there with the Penske’s, JGRs, Hendricks,” he added.
Jones’s statement underscores the importance of a skilled team and precise technical adjustments, as well as strong driver performance, to bridge the final gap toward playing with NASCAR’s leading teams. Following Atlanta, Jones climbed two places in the driver standings, now sitting 16th with 379 points, just behind Austin Cindric of Hendrick Motorsports.
At the same time, Nemechek faces an uphill weekend after his #42 car failed pre-race inspections twice, resulting in penalties including the loss of a crew member and the disadvantage of an unfavorable pit stall selection.
Strong Performance at Atlanta Bolsters Jones’s Confidence and Momentum
Erik Jones showed resilience at the Quaker State 400 in Atlanta, finishing fifth despite being involved in two separate crashes. Adjustments made by Legacy Motor Club’s crew were instrumental in getting Jones back into contention amid a race marked by multiple incidents and many retirements. His performance has sparked optimism about the team’s potential to rise further in NASCAR’s competitive field.
“To come back and run fifth after we wrecked twice, I’m happy with that….We’ve made a big climb in points and are still going,” he said.
Jones’s top-five finish at Echopark Speedway also propelled him past Ross Chastain in the first round of the In-Season Challenge. He is set to compete against Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in the second round at The Grant Park 160, a 75-lap race scheduled to be broadcast live on TNT Sports at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Legacy Motor Club’s Next Steps in NASCAR Competition
Legacy Motor Club stands at a crucial juncture in its evolution within NASCAR, having made notable gains in both performance and standings. Jones’s reflections and results suggest that the team is on the verge of closing the gap with established giants such as Penske, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Hendrick Motorsports. The upcoming Chicago Street Race and the In-Season Challenge rounds will be key indicators of whether LMC can sustain its momentum and begin regularly contending for wins.
With improved technical expertise, focused team effort, and consistent driver excellence, Erik Jones and the Legacy Motor Club are poised to transform recent progress into breakthrough success in NASCAR.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Erik Jones fracture his back?
A. Jones experienced a compression fracture in one of his lower back bones after hitting the outer wall hard in a multi-car crash on April 21 in Talladega. This injury caused him to miss the following two races at Dover and Kansas.
