The journey from rivals to allies defines the recent Jimmie Johnson NASCAR team reunion, as Matt Kenseth and Erik Jones reconcile past differences to drive success for Legacy Motor Club. Their renewed partnership, with Kenseth as a competition advisor and Jones behind the wheel, has energized both the team and the Cup standings.
Racing Careers Collide: From Rivals to Mutual Respect
Matt Kenseth and Erik Jones did not start their history as friends. When Jones was tapped to replace Kenseth at Joe Gibbs Racing in 2017, a challenging dynamic unfolded during their overlapping tenures, with Jones piloting the JGR-affiliated Furniture Row Racing car while Kenseth finished his contract. Kenseth knew he was on the way out, but used the situation as fuel to elevate his performance, aiming to demonstrate to team owner Joe Gibbs that his talent remained undiminished.
“Matt knew that he was the guy that was going to be out in that situation and ended up moving to make room for myself coming up through there,”
—Erik Jones, NASCAR Driver.
The process of transition was not easy for either competitor. As Jones acknowledged, it was tough to build a relationship under such circumstances, though both drivers stressed there was no negativity between them.
“I don’t know that there was any animosity from him towards me, and obviously, there was none from me to him. But when you’re getting replaced, it’s never an easy situation.”
—Erik Jones, NASCAR Driver.
For Kenseth, the business aspect of NASCAR softened the personal blow.
“I’ve been around it for a long time, and the owners and other people make those decisions,”
—Matt Kenseth, Competition Advisor.
He recognized Jones’s credentials and rising status in the Toyota racing pipeline.
“To be fair, Erik was Toyota’s guy at the time. He was Kyle’s [Busch] guy, Coach’s [Joe Gibbs] guy and was running really well and having a ton of success. I wasn’t exactly a spring chicken, so if you look at it, objectively, you can’t really blame anyone for that.”
—Matt Kenseth, Competition Advisor.
Reuniting Under Legacy Motor Club’s Banner
Years later, in 2023, circumstances brought Kenseth and Jones together again under the leadership of Jimmie Johnson, with Jones now driving for the Legacy Motor Club and Kenseth serving as advisor. Kenseth’s new role is centered around bringing out the best in Jones, helping him draw on his own vast experience as a former Cup Series champion. Their renewed association quickly proved mutually rewarding.
“Erik and I have always gotten along, but we never really knew each other at a high level at all,”
—Matt Kenseth, Competition Advisor.
Kenseth noted the unusual nature of their professional overlap and candidly reflected on the circumstances that led to his departure from Joe Gibbs Racing.
“I wholeheartedly wanted to be back for another year or two before I retired, and they replaced me with Erik, which makes it kind of interesting. The same thing happened with him. I think he had a lot of apprehension because he didn’t know me that well, and he took over that car when I wasn’t there.”
—Matt Kenseth, Competition Advisor.
The transition to mentorship was eased by shared professional respect. Kenseth cited the 2017 night race at Bristol—where he finished fourth—as a moment of personal vindication, showing his ability at the twilight of his career.
“I was really more thinking about, ‘That’s my replacement, and I better run him down and pass him to show him I can still do it better than he can,’”
—Matt Kenseth, Competition Advisor.
He shed light on the competitive mindset of seasoned drivers.
“It’s human nature. Whoever you’re catching for the lead, you’re always thinking something about them, right? Where you can sniff the victory, your mindset changes a little bit. It’s not just another car, it’s the leader, so you think things like that every once in a while. My brain’s a scary place.”
—Matt Kenseth, Competition Advisor.
Recent Momentum Lifts Jones in NASCAR Standings
The renewed Kenseth-Jones alliance has paid off with tangible gains. After a strong finish—fifth place—at the recent Atlanta night race, Erik Jones surged to 16th in the NASCAR Cup standings. This position sits right on the playoff cutoff, a dramatic improvement from his earlier 30th-place ranking after Talladega. The momentum has invigorated not only Jones but also the entire Legacy Motor Club operation, co-owned by Jimmie Johnson.
There is now a sense of optimism, with eight races remaining for Jones to secure and strengthen his playoff prospects. Much of this forward progress is attributed to Kenseth’s guidance, which has built up Jones’s confidence and skillset, demonstrating the value of experienced mentorship in high-pressure racing environments.
“To be totally honest, we started the year not taking as big of a step forward as I expected or was hoping we would take,”
—Matt Kenseth, Competition Advisor.
Kenseth acknowledged improvements over recent weeks, suggesting that both Jones and fellow driver John Hunter Nemechek have shown top-10 potential far more consistently than in past seasons.
“It’s been a big leap, but there’s a long way to go to get to where we want to be.”
—Matt Kenseth, Competition Advisor.
A Rivalry Transformed Into Collaboration
What began as a competitive replacement scenario has evolved into a productive and supportive partnership within the fast-paced world of NASCAR. Both Kenseth and Jones have managed to move past any lingering frustrations related to their shared time at Joe Gibbs Racing, choosing instead to focus on their current objectives at Legacy Motor Club.
The presence of Jimmie Johnson as co-owner further energizes the environment, setting high standards for performance and professionalism. With Kenseth offering strategic input as competition advisor, Jones has found renewed form on the track. For NASCAR fans and fellow competitors, this reunion demonstrates that past rivalries can become the foundation for future success, especially when experienced talent and youthful drive combine in pursuit of team excellence. As the season continues, all eyes will be on the evolving results of this unique alliance and their quest for playoff contention in the NASCAR Cup Series.
