Jimmie Johnson is “without a doubt” certain about the struggles facing Legacy Motor Club after their departure from Chevrolet. The seven-time Cup Series champion, who shares ownership of the team, observed that their performance progression contrasts with 23XI Racing, which started its journey in the NASCAR Cup Series a year before LMC.
Based in Statesville, North Carolina, Legacy Motor Club made its debut in the Cup Series at the 2022 Daytona 500, with Chevrolet as their manufacturer. However, in May of the following year, the team announced their decision to switch to Toyota starting in 2024.
Similar to Legacy Motor Club, 23XI Racing is an emerging force in the NASCAR Cup Series. Co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, this organization began at the 2021 Daytona 500 and features drivers Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick, and Riley Herbst. Unlike 23XI Racing, which benefits from a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing and support from Toyota, Jimmie Johnson and his Legacy Motor Club team “build it all themselves.” The club has secured only one win, thanks to Erik Jones at the Darlington Raceway, whereas 23XI celebrates eight race wins, including Reddick’s achievement of the 2024 regular season championship.
When questioned about whether the shift to Toyota posed greater challenges than anticipated, Johnson replied affirmatively, acknowledging the uphill battle. It is notable that throughout his full-time Cup Series career with Hendrick Motorsports, Johnson only drove Chevrolets.
After stepping back from full-time NASCAR racing, Jimmie Johnson explored other racing domains like IndyCar and IMSA. Yet, he returned to NASCAR in 2023 as a part-time driver and co-owner of Legacy Motor Club. Unlike his dominant years in the sport, where he thrived on the oval tracks, his comeback did not yield top 10 finishes in the initial two years. Nonetheless, during this season’s Daytona 500, Johnson managed to achieve his best result as a part-time driver, finishing third after a thrilling final lap.
The Daytona race also marked a significant achievement for Legacy Motor Club since Johnson became a part-owner. Although the team has faced struggles, these recent performances spark hope for a turnaround as they transition to Toyota. The motorsports community remains keenly watching how Jimmie Johnson and Legacy Motor Club will navigate these challenges and what future successes lie in store.
