When Jimmie Johnson left full-time racing in 2020, many expected him to return to NASCAR in some role, but few foresaw that he would become a team owner guided by the principles he learned at Hendrick Motorsports. Johnson’s NASCAR team owner legacy is deeply rooted in the influence of HMS legends like Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon, shaping the way he runs Legacy Motor Club today.
Currently co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, Johnson applies a leadership style inspired by his years as a seven-time Cup Series champion with Hendrick Motorsports. Reflecting on his transition from driver to team owner during NASCAR’s Inside the Race podcast, Johnson explained how working alongside Hendrick, Gordon, and others prepared him for this next phase.
“We all have our own styles and personalities, and going to work for Hendrick Motorsports, that is who I aspired to be. That was kind of my foundation and DNA as an individual. And so to go into that system and work for Mr. Hendrick, to work alongside yourself, Jeff Gordon… Randy Dorton, and we can go on and on through the great names and Chad Canals. They were my people. And I’m so fortunate,” said Johsnon (5:08 onwards)
Johnson’s Cup Series debut came with Hendrick Motorsports in 2001, launching a career that would make him one of the most accomplished drivers in NASCAR history. Over more than two decades, he cultivated durable relationships and drove the No. 48 team to an unprecedented seven Cup championships and 83 race wins. His bond with Jeff Gordon, HMS’s No. 24 driver, exemplified how teammates balanced fierce competition with mutual respect, setting a cultural tone Johnson now integrates into Legacy Motor Club.
Behind the scenes, experts like Randy Dorton, known for his engine-building mastery, and Chad Knaus, famed for his strategic pit work, played pivotal roles in Johnson’s successes. Their standards of dedication and teamwork became part of the ethos Johnson aims to instill in his own organization.
“The work ethic and dedication that is… such an intricate part of Hendrick Motorsports… So, being in that system and being around it has really shown me the way. We’re not there yet, but I am surrounding myself with people that think that same way and still want to put morals first and then work your guts out after that. And that’s the company I’m trying to build,” added Johnson. (6:14 onwards)
In late 2022, Johnson stepped further into NASCAR’s ownership ranks by acquiring a stake in Petty GMS alongside Maury Gallagher. The move marked a new independence from HMS, culminating in the team’s rebranding as Legacy Motor Club in 2023. By early 2025, Johnson became the majority stakeholder, reaffirming his vision of assembling a team culture mirroring the values he absorbed under Hendrick’s leadership.
Building Legacy Motor Club Away From Hendrick’s Shadow
Legacy Motor Club fields two full-time cars in the NASCAR Cup Series, with John Hunter Nemechek piloting the No. 42 and Erik Jones driving the No. 43 entry. Under Johnson’s direction, the team evolved its operations, notably switching from Chevrolet to Toyota, signaling a break from Johnson’s longtime manufacturer loyalty. This transition opened fresh technical resources and development opportunities.
Despite moving on, Johnson maintained respect for Hendrick throughout the process. In his interview with Steve Letarte, Johnson revealed that before formalizing his team ownership, he consulted Rick Hendrick out of deference to the man who shaped much of his racing career.
“I’ve been waiting for somebody to ask me this all these years and no one has… I went and sat down with him. Went and asked him if it was a problem. And he’s like, ‘I’m not going to hold you back. Of course, I’d rather you be in our colors,” Johnson mentioned (9:47 onwards)
Johnson secured substantial sponsorships, including longtime partner Carvana, alongside Pye-Barker Fire & Safety and Dollar Tree. Carvana’s commitment traces back to Johnson’s prior IndyCar involvement and underscored continued faith during his change in role. These partnerships, combined with Toyota’s backing, form the structural support for Legacy Motor Club’s competitive ambitions.
Balancing executive responsibilities, Johnson has made select appearances behind the wheel, returning for part-time rides such as the 2025 Daytona 500 and the recent Coca-Cola 600, which marked his 700th Cup Series start. These outings reflect his enduring connection to racing even as he builds his future as an owner.
Jimmie Johnson NASCAR team owner legacy is thus a story of evolution—rooted firmly in the lessons learned from Hendrick Motorsports legends and extended through his current leadership of Legacy Motor Club. His ability to blend tradition with innovation will likely influence NASCAR team ownership approaches in the years ahead.
