Legacy Motor Club has announced that Justin Alexander will become the Erik Jones 2026 crew chief for the NASCAR Cup Series, starting with the 2026 season. The change follows Ben Beshore transitioning to a new leadership position within the team.
Leadership Changes at Legacy Motor Club
With this decision, Alexander takes over the crew chief role for Jones’ iconic No. 43 car. Ben Beshore, previously the crew chief, will now serve as director of race engineering, reflecting the club’s ongoing adjustments to strengthen its racing program.
“We’re continuing to evolve and refine every part of our race program, and Justin is a tremendous addition to our crew chief lineup,”
Legacy owner Jimmie Johnson said in a release.
“His experience, communication style and leadership align perfectly with the direction we’re headed.”
– Jimmie Johnson, Legacy owner
The team also expressed appreciation for Beshore’s contributions and confidence in his continued impact as he transitions to his engineering-focused role.
“We appreciate Ben’s hard work and look forward to his continued contributions as he transitions into his new role.”
– Jimmie Johnson, Legacy owner
Strong Track Record and Optimism for Growth
Legacy Motor Club leadership emphasized Alexander’s proven success in NASCAR, anticipating a productive partnership with Erik Jones. Bringing a new leader to the crew chief lineup is viewed as a step forward, aimed at nurturing team unity and technical excellence.
“Justin is a proven race winner, and we believe there’s the potential for a strong chemistry with Erik,”
Legacy CEO Cal Wells III added.
“We’ll also have Ben raising all ships with the performance engineering group. With all these changes, we’re hoping to continue the growth we saw in 2025.”
– Cal Wells III, Legacy CEO
In the 2025 season, Jones delivered four top-five finishes and five top 10s, ultimately placing 24th overall in the standings. This performance has provided a platform for the team to build upon, with the organization seeking further progress in the upcoming year under Alexander’s leadership.
What’s Next for the Team
As Legacy Motor Club looks ahead to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, the team aims to leverage Alexander’s expertise and Beshore’s new leadership in engineering to strengthen its championship efforts. The optimism expressed by both Jimmie Johnson and Cal Wells III suggests a renewed focus on growth, performance, and team chemistry as Jones and his new crew chief prepare for the challenges of the next season.
