On August 13, 2025, Legacy Motor Club, helmed by Jimmie Johnson, took urgent legal action to pause the Rick Ware Racing charter sale dispute in court, seeking to prevent Rick Ware Racing from finalizing a deal involving their Cup Series charters. The clash, taking place amid intense negotiations in the NASCAR industry, centers on whether Rick Ware Racing sold its #36 or #27 contract to Legacy, now both apparently part of a contested arrangement with Spire Motorsports.
Legal Battle Over NASCAR Charter Ownership
The courtroom in August saw attorneys for both teams disputing the validity and intent of their contract, with the fate of Rick Ware Racing’s charters in limbo. Jimmie Johnson’s Legacy Motor Club asked the judge for a preliminary injunction to effectively freeze the sale, a decision they bolstered by posting a $5 million bond, which led to a 10-day temporary restraining order against the sale. Legacy sought to extend this ban, aiming to block any transfer of charters by Rick Ware until at least January 2026.
The dispute itself arises from confusion over which charter Rick Ware Racing actually agreed to sell: the #27 or the #36. Both numbers are currently entangled in the attempted sale to Spire Motorsports, whose co-founder T.J. Puchyr is a principal party in the negotiations. The uncertainty has created a high-stakes legal conflict, with both sides standing firm in their positions.
Rick Ware Racing’s attorney, Mark Henriques, insisted on his client’s transparency throughout the process, highlighting their right to sell their stake while maintaining their driver Cody Ware’s presence on the track. Henriques questioned the clarity of the evidence presented by Legacy and emphasized their contractual entitlement to pursue such deals.
“How can they say that there is clear and convincing evidence that it (the contract) is both 27 and 36? Legacy could still get economic damages if Rick Ware Racing sells the charters and Legacy is successful during trial. We were allowed to do it and said we wanted to do it,”
he stated. —Mark Henriques, Attorney for Rick Ware Racing
Legacy Motor Club’s Response and Ongoing Court Proceedings
Legal counsel for Legacy Motor Club, Keith Forst, firmly argued that there was undeniable proof of a written contract signed and agreed to by both parties. By his account, the only remaining dispute was whether the intended charter was #27 or #36, and he pointed to Rick Ware Racing acknowledging #36 would still be active in 2027 during earlier proceedings. Forst pressed the court to uphold the current state until the issue is fully resolved.
“It is indisputable that there is a deal for the sale of a charter. There is a written contract, every page initialed… they had a written agreement and they agreed to sell a charter and Legacy agreed to buy a charter.”
—Keith Forst, Legal Counsel for Legacy Motor Club
“The only question is if it was 27 or 36,”
he added. Rick Ware Racing made statements before the court saying that #36 would be available to race in 2027, Forst said, asking that the court “maintain the status quo,” he added. —Keith Forst, Legal Counsel for Legacy Motor Club
Continuing with the impasse, the presiding judge instructed both parties to propose alternative ways to prevent the sale while the legal battle unfolds. A final decision is anticipated by August 22, 2025, marking a crucial moment in the Rick Ware Racing charter sale dispute. Meanwhile, Legacy Motor Club also launched a separate lawsuit against Puchyr, accusing him of interfering with their agreement, with a major trial scheduled for January.
Tension Over Leadership Changes at Legacy Motor Club
Earlier in 2025, tensions surfaced off the track as well, surrounding Jimmie Johnson’s control over Legacy Motor Club. In February, Johnson addressed allegations made against him during an interview with prominent NASCAR analyst Bob Pockrass, which centered on claims that he had removed longtime co-owner Maury Gallagher from the team. Johnson refuted these accusations, clarifying that Gallagher’s shifting priorities, rather than internal conflict, explained his lesser involvement.
During this period, Johnson acquired a majority share in the team following an investment from Kingthead Capital Management LLC in January. Responding to speculation about a dramatic shake-up in leadership, Johnson commented:
“It might look that way, but, well, I guess maybe I’m reacting to cleaning house because it wasn’t. I didn’t clean Maury out.”
—Jimmie Johnson, Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Legacy Motor Club’s 2025 Cup Series Endeavors
Throughout the turmoil, Legacy Motor Club fields two full-time contenders for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series. John Hunter Nemechek drives the #42 Toyota Camry XSE, while Erik Jones pilots the #43 Toyota Camry. As of the latest standings, Jones occupies 21st place in the points rankings, with Nemechek closely behind at 23rd, emphasizing the team’s continued focus on performance despite management and legal challenges.
Implications for NASCAR Teams and Ownership Landscape
The ongoing Rick Ware Racing charter sale dispute has significant implications for NASCAR’s competitive and business environment, highlighting complexities in team ownership and contractual obligations. The outcome may affect not only the immediate parties—Legacy Motor Club, Rick Ware Racing, Spire Motorsports, T.J. Puchyr, and Cody Ware—but also future negotiations across the Cup Series. Teams, sponsors, and investors are closely watching as the court’s August 22 decision approaches, which will determine whether the current sale is blocked until January or if an alternative solution is found amid the ongoing legal wrangling.
