DARLINGTON, S.C. — John Hunter Nemechek achieved a career-best fourth-place finish in the Southern 500 on Sunday, highlighting another impressive top-five finish for Legacy Motor Club. Nemechek’s success came alongside teammate Erik Jones, who secured third place, marking the first time since the Daytona 500 that both team drivers finished in the top five at a Cup race.
The John Hunter Nemechek top-five finish underscored the progress made by the team following critical staff changes made about a year ago, reflecting steady improvement and growing competitiveness in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Legacy Motor Club’s Drivers Show Consistent Speed and Improvement
Erik Jones expressed mixed feelings after his third-place finish, balancing disappointment and encouragement.
“It’s disappointing, number one, to be that close,”
Jones said after the 367-lap event that lasted nearly four hours,
“but, number two, it’s encouraging to have that speed.”
Meanwhile, Nemechek was positive despite wanting more time on the track.
“I wish we had more laps,”
he commented.
“The more that I ran, the better that I was.”
Both drivers showed strong pace throughout the race, benefiting from solid support during nine pit stops.
Team Effort and Strategy Drive Results at a Challenging Race
The smooth night for Legacy Motor Club contrasted with difficulties faced by many playoff contenders, who encountered various issues during the event. Jones acknowledged the importance of qualifying for a strong race day and praised the team’s flawless execution.
“It was nice to come here with similar speed [to Indy] and have a smooth night, a good night,”
he stated.
“We needed to qualify probably a little better to really contend, but we did everything else really well. So, hopefully that’s a good sign.”
Nemechek also praised the collective effort behind their performance:
“Proud of the effort from everyone at Legacy Motor Club. We continue to get better. It is pretty cool to have the 42 and 43 [Jones] to finish in third and fourth at the Southern 500. I know I’m proud of the drive for myself. I’m proud of the effort. I’m proud of Travis [Mack, crew chief], and everyone that has been putting a lot into our Pye Barker Toyotas and making them faster.”
Building a Competitive Team with a Focus on Growth
Legacy Motor Club’s ascent owes much to its methodical team-building approach and commitment to continual improvement. Jacob Canter, the team’s director of competition, described the effort as a clear sign of progress:
“I think it’s just a statement, a testament to this team and this group and what we’re building.”
He emphasized the importance of empowering team members to perform at their best, inspired by owner Jimmie Johnson’s “Never Settle” mantra.
“It’s all about our group, our team, our people and trying to empower them to be the best version of themselves,”
Canter shared.
“We kind of take that mantra of just always trying to get better and just really building this team in a methodical fashion.”
Legacy Motor Club’s Momentum Poised to Continue
With both John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones demonstrating their ability to compete near the front, this race signals positive momentum for Legacy Motor Club. The team’s blend of experienced leadership, strategic improvements, and driver skill sets the stage for further success in upcoming races. Their results at Darlington hint at a continued rise in performance as they build toward stronger finishes in the NASCAR Cup Series.
