Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, is returning to the circuit in 2025 with renewed vigor, challenging the biggest teams through his role as both co-owner and driver of Legacy Motor Club. After stepping away from full-time racing in 2020, Johnson has shifted from merely driving cars to strategically managing his team, aiming to disrupt long-established NASCAR powerhouses like Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing.
Johnson’s involvement in Legacy Motor Club is supported by Knighthead Capital Management, which provided the financial backing needed to take control of the team and fuel its competitive ambitions. With drivers Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek consistently securing Top 10 finishes this season, the progress signals a promising future despite the stiff competition from historic outfits. However, Johnson acknowledges that rivalry with teams such as Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Team Penske remains an immense challenge due to their extensive resources and long-standing sponsorships.
Jimmie Johnson’s Transition from Driver to Team Owner and Business Leader
Jimmie Johnson’s departure from full-time driving was motivated by his desire to explore new horizons beyond the track. During his two-year stint in the NTT IndyCar Series, Johnson displayed a unique approach by leasing a car from Chip Ganassi while independently managing sponsorship relationships, notably securing Carvana as a mainbacker. This experience profoundly shaped his understanding of the racing business, drawing him deeper into team operations and marketing.
“It’s not necessarily more comfortable, but I’ve spent more time and have been drawn more to the business side, maybe because it’s new. But I can also say the two years I spent in IndyCar, we essentially leased the car from Ganassi, I went out and found Carvana, we were able to manage and maintain that relationship and through that journey I was like, Wow this is more competitive and more interesting and also an area for me to grow,”
Johnson explained about this phase of his career.
Unlike his 20 years with Hendrick Motorsports and a deep-rooted partnership with Chevrolet, Johnson made a strategic switch to Toyota as the manufacturer partner for Legacy Motor Club. This decision surprised many fans and insiders, with some branding it as a betrayal, yet Johnson maintains that aligning with Toyota offers valuable long-term benefits for his team’s future.
“Clearly have a long history – 30-plus years with Chevrolet, 20 of those years at Hendrick Motorsports — and what we did together will always be in the record books and something that I’ll always cherish. But as Maury pointed out, strategically long-term, this is a foundational piece for the club that … this really makes sense. It’s something we need to do and to have this deep alignment and partnership with Toyota, it’s been a fun period of time to get to know them and really understand their passion and how much our core values truly align,”
Johnson reflected on the transition.
The shift has already borne fruit: all three Legacy Motor Club drivers finished inside the top-15 at the Daytona 500 in 2025, highlighting a competitive edge that signals the team’s upward trajectory. Johnson credits the Toyota relationship as central to this momentum.
“I think with Toyota involved and the deep connection that I’ve been able to forge and build there, our collective competition group, some new and familiar faces inside that competition group, I’m feeling more comfortable with it and certainly spending more time now that the business side is shored up,”
Johnson said.
Facing NASCAR’s Established Powerhouses and Sponsorship Challenges
Legacy Motor Club’s rise comes amid fierce competition from titans like Hendrick Motorsports—Jimmie Johnson’s former team—Joe Gibbs Racing, 23XI Racing, and RFK Racing. These teams benefit from decades-old sponsor relationships that provide financial stability and technological advantages. Johnson is fully aware of the uphill battle his team faces in breaking through these entrenched rivals.
“It’s going to be hard to go and compete against Rick Hendrick. It’s going to be hard to compete against Joe Gibbs or Mr. Penske, They have some deep pockets,”
Johnson admitted on the Racing Writers’ podcast.
Maintaining strong sponsorships has been crucial for Legacy Motor Club, especially in a NASCAR landscape where several teams struggle to secure long-term funding. For example, Stewart-Haas Racing has faced financial instability leading to downsizing, while top drivers like Denny Hamlin recently lost major sponsors. Johnson’s ability to attract and retain key sponsors such as Carvana, Dollar Tree, AdventHealth, and Mobil1 underscores his effectiveness as a business strategist.
NASCAR Veterans Advise Johnson to Focus on Ownership Over Driving
Despite Johnson’s dual role as driver and majority owner of Legacy Motor Club, seasoned NASCAR voices urge him to prioritize his leadership duties. Kevin Harvick emphasized that while Johnson’s on-track presence may initially attract sponsors, his long-term impact will stem from his performance as a business leader rather than continued driving.
“I think that the sooner he can get out of being in that car, the better off he is. I understand when we had the Xfinity teams of having to drive the car to lure the sponsor. But you know, as far as the marketing side of things, at some point it becomes about performance. I think Danica Patrick was probably the best example of that. At some point, your marketing platform runs out, and I think that performance trumps everything that you can do after its consecutive years of not performing like you need to, and I think that’s what they’re striving for, right?”
Harvick stated.
Similarly, Dale Earnhardt Jr. recognized Johnson’s impressive efforts retooling Legacy Motor Club’s organization and expressed optimism about the team’s direction. He highlighted Johnson’s ability to balance a wide range of responsibilities and assemble a strong management team, leading to tangible improvements on the racetrack.
“I would say, similar to Kaulig, Legacy Motor Club has made a massive gain, and I think that gain has happened during the season, not so much the offseason. Jimmie Johnson is now the majority owner of that team. We saw a ton of interesting hires over there the last six months. Jimmie is retooling that organization. He made it work, and it’s really impressive because Jimmie is spread thin as a human. He’s all over the place, but he’s plugged in enough to understand to put the right people in the right places to succeed in every department, going in the right direction, and it’s starting to show up on the racetrack. It’s fascinating. Incredible job.”
—Dale Jr., NASCAR Analyst
The Road Ahead: Can Legacy Motor Club Challenge NASCAR’s Elite?
Johnson’s return to NASCAR with Legacy Motor Club represents more than just a personal comeback; it marks a bold initiative to reshape the competitive landscape. His business acumen combined with driving experience brings a unique dynamic to the team’s growth. However, challenging NASCAR’s giants requires continued investment, strong sponsor retention, and consistent performance.
As the 2025 season unfolds, all eyes remain on Legacy Motor Club’s ability to increase its presence among the sport’s elite. Whether Johnson’s leadership and strategic alliances—especially his partnership with Toyota—will enable LMC to sustain long-term success remains to be seen. What is clear is Johnson’s determination to build a lasting legacy both behind the wheel and in the executive suite, aiming to carve out a prominent place for his team in NASCAR’s fiercely competitive environment.
