In 2023, seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson took a pivotal step by becoming co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, formerly known as Evernham Motorsports and later Petty GMS Motorsports. At the time, the team had struggled under Richard Petty’s leadership, prompting the need for change. Johnson’s leadership transformation at Legacy Motor Club is now gaining attention as the organization steadily climbs from past difficulties toward a more promising future, illustrating a significant shift in the club’s direction and aspirations.
Johnson recently completed his 700th NASCAR start during the 2025 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, symbolically marking a full-circle moment since that track was also the site of his very first race. Despite a challenging night that ended early after his No. 84 Toyota made contact with the wall in Turn 4, the milestone highlights Johnson’s enduring presence in NASCAR as he focuses increasingly on cultivating the team’s long-term success.
Challenges and Praise from NASCAR Veterans
Johnson’s transition into team ownership and maintaining performance as a driver has not been seamless. Richard Petty publicly acknowledged the differences in management styles between himself and Johnson when they initially teamed up. Petty remarked on their contrasting approaches, saying,
Image of: Jimmie Johnson
“It’s been strange to me. Most of the time, I ran the majority of the show. Jimmie brought all his people in. His way of running things and my way of running things are probably a little bit different. We probably agree on about 50 percent of what it really comes down to,”
underscoring the adjustment period within the team‘s leadership dynamics.
Meanwhile, Dale Earnhardt Jr., himself an experienced NASCAR driver and commentator, has voiced strong support for Johnson’s vision and organizational efforts. On the Dale Jr Download podcast with Jordan Bianchi, Earnhardt Jr. praised Johnson’s ability to build a capable team and a robust structure behind the scenes, stating,
“Is he plugged in enough to understand how to put the right people in the right places to succeed and get each department moving in the right direction? It’s starting to show up on the racetrack. It’s fascinating—an incredible job. I would have bet against it. For them to go and run as well as they did this past weekend, Jimmie had a great qualifying effort but struggled in the race. He finds himself in bad situations because he doesn’t drive the car enough.”
Jordan Bianchi analyzed Johnson’s on-track struggles in terms of adapting to the Next Gen car, emphasizing the learning curve faced by drivers with the new technology. He explained,
“I know it’s crazy to say, but this Next Gen car, the way the air works, how it goes under the car—you can’t just rely on instinct. Drivers know when they’re going through the corner, ‘I gotta do this or that’ to avoid a bad air situation on exit. They know it because they’ve done it enough. Jimmie hasn’t.”
Team Progress and Leadership Strengths Beyond the Driver’s Seat
Despite Johnson’s growing pains behind the wheel, the Legacy Motor Club as a whole is showing encouraging improvement under his majority ownership. Drivers such as John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones have posted competitive performances lately, reflecting well on the team’s overall progress. Earnhardt Jr. noted the effectiveness of pit crew leadership, highlighting Travis Mack’s pivotal role in elevating performance. He remarked,
“Nemechek’s run was solid. They didn’t finish the night like they wanted to, but Travis Mack has John Hunter and those guys hauling a–. Even Erik Jones had a pretty competitive night as his teammate.”
The combination of Johnson’s strategic oversight and a well-structured team dynamic points to a strengthening Legacy Motor Club beginning to regain footing amid tough competition.
Vision for Expanding Legacy Motor Club’s Reach Within Motorsport
Jimmie Johnson’s ambition for Legacy Motor Club extends beyond improving NASCAR results. Inspired by the innovative multisport strategy of Trackhouse Racing, Johnson aims to broaden the team’s footprint across various racing platforms. He openly expressed appreciation for Trackhouse owner Justin Marks, sharing,
“I have so much respect for Justin’s vision and execution. It’s the way he’s gone about building. Trackhouse is certainly a model that I’m inspired by.”
Johnson has indicated that LMC may soon explore expanding into other motorsport disciplines, including the IMSA sports car series. He underlined the importance of flexibility and opportunism with regard to potential growth, stating,
“As time goes on and opportunities present themselves, Legacy Motor Club will have an open eye and certainly hope to expand. I really think there is an opportunity in North America to have a bigger presence. If some good breaks go our way and some good fortune, we’ll have some great things to talk about.”
Strategic Partnerships and the Path Forward
Another significant development fueling LMC’s upward trajectory is the partnership with Knighthead Management, which has helped solidify Johnson’s position as majority owner. This alliance aims to strengthen the financial foundation and competitive capabilities of the team while providing resources for potential ventures beyond NASCAR.
Johnson’s proactive leadership and openness to innovation mark a clear departure from the past, positioning Legacy Motor Club as a more adaptable and forward-thinking organization. While it remains uncertain how successful these transformative efforts will be in the long term, the team’s current momentum and strategy elevate its standing within the motorsport community.
Legacy Motor Club is no longer merely attempting to maintain relevance in NASCAR but is ambitiously pursuing a reinvention that could reshape its identity and impact on the sport. If Johnson applies the same precision and determination he showed as a driver, the coming years could bring substantial rewards for the team and potentially inspire broader shifts within NASCAR’s competitive landscape.
