Legacy Motor Club playoff hopes are at a crucial juncture as the NASCAR Cup Series heads into the Chicago Street Race, with Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek striving to secure a postseason berth. The team, under Jimmie Johnson‘s direction, has shown marked progress in 2025, elevating their prospects as the season intensifies.
Legacy Motor Club’s Timely Surge
With the rebranding from Petty GMS Motorsports in 2023, Legacy Motor Club has experienced a resurgence, just as the Cup Series prepares for its third annual Chicago Street Race. The two-car team has gained momentum, situating themselves as a compelling presence as the regular season unfolds. Jones and Nemechek, at 29 and 28 years old respectively, have emerged as the focal points for the organization‘s ambitions, aiming to solidify their status among the 16 drivers destined for the playoffs.
Erik Jones Elevates His Performance
Erik Jones, piloting the No. 43 Toyota Camry for his third consecutive season, played a significant role in the recent race at Atlanta. Jones surged to a fifth-place finish, tying his top result from earlier in the year at Texas Motor Speedway. In the current championship standings, Jones occupies 18th place with 379 points, trailing Ryan Preece and Bubba Wallace, who hold the final two playoff positions with 405 and 428 points, respectively.
Jones’s proven talent, underscored by his two Southern 500 victories at Darlington—a track renowned for its grueling nature—places him in notable company. Prominent champions such as David Pearson, Dale Earnhardt, and Jeff Gordon have also won multiple times at Darlington, together amassing 14 championships. Following his inaugural triumph at Daytona in 2018, Jones has consistently demonstrated his ability to perform on some of NASCAR‘s grandest stages.
“We’ve had good runs since Charlotte in the 600,”
—Erik Jones, LMC Driver
“We’re at the cusp here. … We’re one good step away from being contenders. I hope we can take that step soon. We’d love to get a win.”
—Erik Jones, LMC Driver
John Hunter Nemechek’s Playoff Scenario
John Hunter Nemechek, driving the No. 42 car, finds himself in a position where victory is a necessity for postseason qualification, as he stands 24th in the points table. Nemechek, son of veteran driver Joe Nemechek, has logged a single top-five and six top-10 finishes thus far. Recent performances have offered encouragement, including two sixth-place finishes in the last three races and a fourth-place starting position at Pocono. His chase for a breakthrough mirrors last season‘s playoff shake-up, when Harrison Burton clinched a playoff berth with a dramatic win at Daytona.
Expansion Possibilities and Off-Track Developments
The potential for Legacy Motor Club’s growth remains on the horizon. Reports from Fox Sports indicate that Jesse Love, an Xfinity Series competitor with Richard Childress Racing, is a candidate to drive a third car for the team next year—should the organization secure another charter. Earlier in 2025, LMC initiated legal action against Rick Ware Racing regarding a disputed charter sale, with RWR responding that the agreement pertained to a future season rather than 2026. The addition of the 20-year-old Love could further energize the team, without jeopardizing seats for Jones or Nemechek.
Shifting Landscape in the NASCAR Cup Series
Amid uncertainties across the field, with drivers like Daniel Suarez set to depart Trackhouse Racing’s No. 99 at season’s end, Legacy Motor Club has distinguished itself as an organization with clear direction and rising strength. The present alignment of talent and opportunity within Legacy provides a stark contrast to the question marks that some competitors face regarding their future roles.
As preparations intensify for the Chicago Street Race and beyond, the progress of Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek will be closely watched. Legacy Motor Club’s playoff hopes hinge on their ability to translate recent momentum into critical points or wins, potentially signaling a new chapter for the team in NASCAR’s premier series.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Who is the CEO of Legacy Motor Club?
A. Overall, this is a major change for all of Toyota. Toyota will get more Cup cars and possibly more Truck rides for their young drivers. Legacy MC thinks that working closely with their manufacturer will help them win more races.
Q. Who is the owner of Legacy Motor Club?
A. Legacy Motor Club used to be called Petty GMS Motorsports. It’s a U.S. professional stock car racing team. Jimmie Johnson owns it, with smaller shares held by Richard Petty, Maury Gallagher, and Knighthead Capital Management.
Q. Is Richard Petty still involved in Legacy Motor Club?
A. Legacy Motor Club used to be called Petty GMS Motorsports when it entered the Cup Series in 2022. At that time, Gallagher purchased most of Richard Petty’s team. The team changed its name before the 2023 season. Johnson became one of the owners, and Petty took on the role of team ambassador.
