Jimmie Johnson transition from NASCAR champion to team owner has redefined his career, as the seven-time series winner now steers the operations at Legacy Motor Club after trading his driver’s seat for a role as majority owner. Since stepping into ownership, Johnson has weathered a demanding learning curve and, despite early setbacks, is beginning to see hopeful results for the team on the racetrack.
Stepping Into Leadership at Legacy Motor Club
Taking on his new role at Legacy Motor Club, Johnson solidified his position during an offseason restructuring that brought Knighthead Capital Management on board as a significant minority investor. This marked a pivotal shift from the team’s prior leadership, where Maury Gallagher had been the primary stakeholder until he stepped back, becoming an ambassador for Legacy Motor Club alongside motorsports icon Richard Petty.
As the new majority owner, Johnson found himself navigating a different set of challenges than those he faced behind the wheel. The 2023 NASCAR season marked the start of this transition, and the process was far from seamless. Off the track, Johnson was tasked with major decisions that influenced not just results but the team’s future direction and culture.
Challenging Seasons and Strategic Shifts
The Legacy Motor Club team confronted a tough road following Johnson’s leadership transition. In an attempt to boost performance, the organization switched car manufacturers before the 2024 season, aligning with toyota/”>Toyota. The decision, designed to add speed and competitiveness, didn’t deliver the immediate turnaround they expected on the circuit.
Throughout the past year, drivers Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek managed just six top-10 finishes combined. Johnson, trying his hand as a part-time driver in the No. 84 car, faced his own on-track struggles as results failed to meet high expectations.
However, momentum appears to be shifting in 2025. The team already matched the number of top-10s from the previous year within the first 13 points races. A highlight came at Texas Motor Speedway, where both Jones and Nemechek landed top-10 finishes in the same event—a feat seldom accomplished by the club at any regular track in recent seasons.
Jimmie Johnson Reflects on the Complexities of Team Ownership
Through it all, Johnson has been refreshingly candid about the difficulties of adapting from competitor to majority owner. He knows there is much to master and is the first to admit that business management requires new skills and outlooks.
“I’m trying to find my style. There’s a lot to this that’s new. I don’t want to assume that I’m some master businessman and understand various elements that are really required,”
—Jimmie Johnson, Majority Owner
Johnson shared that his competitive spirit and familiarity with the racing world are his greatest assets, and he is learning to rely on people with expertise he does not yet possess.
“I know people. I know competition. I certainly know this industry. The areas that I have great confidence in, I’m leaning further into those areas. I’m trying to surround myself with the best people I can who are the smartest people to teach me, guide me, and keep me out of trouble along the way,”
—Jimmie Johnson, Majority Owner
Part of embracing his new position has meant making tough choices, including missing out on the challenge of racing double duty at the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in the same day—a rare feat driver Kyle Larson is attempting this season. Johnson acknowledged the difficulty in reconciling his love of racing with his responsibilities as owner, saying:
“I still want to be behind the wheel, but it’s really… I need to approach this with a different agenda.”
—Jimmie Johnson, Majority Owner
Looking Ahead: New Partnerships and Renewed Ambition
The team’s recent partnership with Knighthead Capital Management has infused much-needed resources, giving Legacy Motor Club extra capital and leadership expertise to compete against NASCAR’s elite teams. With ongoing support from motorsport veterans—including Richard Petty as ambassador—and a reinvigorated driver lineup, Johnson has an opportunity to build a new legacy off the track.
As Johnson’s transformation from racing legend to entrepreneur continues, his willingness to be transparent, seek advice, and embrace fresh challenges could be key to returning Legacy Motor Club to the winner’s circle. The early results of 2025 suggest that his leadership, paired with strategic support from partners and drivers, is beginning to pay dividends—signaling that Johnson’s second act in NASCAR may become as memorable as his first.
