Legacy Motor Club (LMC), led by seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, is reportedly looking to secure Richard Childress Racing’s Xfinity Series standout Jesse Love for its third Cup Series charter in 2026. This move comes as LMC aims to expand its presence in the NASCAR Cup Series by adding a third full-time entry.
LMC, which changed its manufacturer allegiance from Chevrolet to Toyota last year, currently fields two full-time Toyota cars driven by John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones, as well as a part-time car for its majority owner. However, the team‘s plan to acquire an additional charter has been delayed due to an ongoing legal dispute with Rick Ware Racing (RWR) concerning an alleged charter sale for 2026.
Legal Battle Over Champter Sale Could Impact LMC’s Expansion
Early in April, Legacy Motor Club initiated a lawsuit against Rick Ware Racing, claiming that RWR had agreed to transfer a charter for the 2026 season. A favorable ruling for LMC would enable the team to add a third car, potentially offering Jesse Love a full-time Cup ride with Toyota backing. Meanwhile, Richard Childress Racing has already finalized its 2026 driver roster with Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon locked in, a factor that could create an opening for Love to move.
Despite the expansion ambitions, Legacy Motor Club has struggled since its 2022 rebranding, with both Nemechek and Jones finishing the ongoing 2024 season ranked 34th and 28th in overall points respectively, reflecting the team’s challenges this year.
Jesse Love’s Performance and Connection to Toyota
Jesse Love, who secured the 2023 ARCA Menards Series championship driving a Toyota, has demonstrated strong performances in the Xfinity Series, consistently ranking among the top contenders. At 20 years old, Love is in his second full season with Richard Childress Racing and currently holds fourth place in the Xfinity Series standings ahead of the upcoming race in Mexico City.
His existing ties to Toyota could work in his favor, as highlighted by FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass, who noted that this association may smooth the transition to Legacy Motor Club should they finalize a third charter.
Jesse Love’s Cup Series Appearances in 2025
This year, Jesse Love has made three starts in the NASCAR Cup Series but has not yet found success in terms of finishes. He placed 31st and 29th at the Bristol and Kansas races driving RCR’s No. 33 Chevrolet, and he finished 31st again at Texas in the No. 62 Chevrolet for Beard Motorsports. Love is scheduled for two more Cup starts: at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with Beard Motorsports on July 27 and at Richmond Raceway with RCR on August 16.
“I’ll have a chance to at least do it a couple more times this season. The goals are to keep collecting experience and learning the Cup car. Both races at Texas and Indy will allow me to gain knowledge of how this car races at different tracks, which will hopefully set me up to pounce on future opportunities,” Jesse Love said in a statement (via Jayski).
In the Xfinity Series, Love has shown more promise, winning the season opener at Daytona and earning eight top-10 finishes so far, underscoring his potential to succeed in NASCAR’s top tier.
The Road Ahead for Legacy Motor Club and Jesse Love
As Legacy Motor Club waits on the outcome of its legal challenge against Rick Ware Racing, the future of its third charter remains uncertain. Should the court side with LMC, Jesse Love’s path into a full-time Cup ride could become a reality, representing a significant step forward for both the driver and the team.
For Love, continued experience in Cup events throughout 2025 will be crucial in preparing him for the jump, while LMC’s ability to expand successfully will depend on both the legal proceedings and the on-track performances of its drivers. The team’s pursuit of stronger results and roster growth reflects their ambition to become more competitive in the NASCAR Cup Series.
