Legacy Motor Club World Wide Technology Raceway will be the setting for the team‘s renewed quest for success this Sunday, as drivers and crew members look to build on prior performances and capitalize on recent improvements. The event, set for Madison, Illinois, brings together North America’s top stock car talent with high stakes and ambitions for redemption, especially with several Legacy Motor Club figures closely tied to the venue’s racing history.
A Rich Racing Legacy at Madison’s Speedway
World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR), formerly known as Gateway, has a storied background with various NASCAR events gracing its 1.25-mile oval. The site launched its involvement with NASCAR‘s upper ranks in July 1997 through the Xfinity Series, where Elliott Sadler emerged victorious in the inaugural race. ARCA Menards Series action soon followed, and the Craftsman Truck Series joined the docket in 1998, with Rick Carelli, a notable mentor in the sport, claiming an early win. The Xfinity Series maintained a consistent presence until 2010, while Truck Series races remain ongoing to this day. It wasn’t until the 2022 season that the NASCAR Cup Series included WWTR, elevating the track’s profile significantly and providing a new competitive stage for premier teams like Legacy Motor Club.
Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth’s Experiences at Gateway
Jimmie Johnson, legendary seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and now co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, has never contested a Cup Series event at WWTR. However, his experience at the track includes three Xfinity Series races, none of which concluded outside the top fifteen. Back in October 1998, Johnson demonstrated his ability to advance through the field—starting deep in 36th, seizing the lead by Lap 85 for ten tours before wrapping up 15th. He continued this positive trajectory in 2000 and 2001, securing 13th and 14th places, respectively. Meanwhile, competition advisor Matt Kenseth found success of his own at Gateway, with three Xfinity Series starts yielding two top-10 finishes. Most notably, Kenseth placed second in October 1998, trailing only Dale Earnhardt Jr., and added a sixth-place finish after starting 21st the following year.
The ‘Never Settle’ Podcast Delivers Insider Perspective
Legacy Motor Club’s insights stretch beyond the track via the “Never Settle” podcast, presented by ESPN’s Marty Smith and Jimmie Johnson. Airing weekly on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and available on popular podcast platforms, “Never Settle” delves into the racing world, spotlighting interviews and behind-the-scenes coverage. The upcoming episode, featuring the latter half of a conversation with Greg Olsen, will offer viewers further access to the culture and personalities shaping the Legacy Motor Club approach ahead of the WWTR showdown.
John Hunter Nemechek’s Race History at WWTR
For John Hunter Nemechek, this Sunday’s event will mark his second NASCAR Cup Series start at World Wide Technology Raceway. Last year, he began 33rd and finished 27th after a challenging outing. Despite the difficulties at Cup level, Nemechek’s resume at WWTR in the Craftsman Truck Series inspires optimism, having achieved seven starts and capturing victory in June 2017. That Truck win was highlighted by a determined run from the front row, leading 46 laps and finishing ahead of Chase Briscoe by over a second and a half. Consistent performances—all within the top ten on three occasions—reinforce his stature at the venue. Other achievements include a fourth-place result in June 2015 and sixth in June 2016.
“World Wide Technology Raceway has been a good racetrack for me. I’ve had success there in the Truck Series, and I’ve led a bunch of laps there in addition to running up front. Last year’s Cup Series race didn’t go so hot for us, but I’m looking forward to going back there this year with the new changes and improvements we’ve made to our cars over the 2025 season. I hope to build on the momentum coming off Daytona and Darlington. Metrics are going to be really important for Bristol, so there’s even more emphasis on having a good run this weekend.”
—John Hunter Nemechek, Driver
Travis Mack’s Strategy and Adaptation
Crew chief Travis Mack prepares for his third Cup Series race appearance at WWTR, bringing with him valuable experience from recent seasons. In 2022, working with Daniel Suárez, Mack’s team finished 23rd, while a step forward in 2023 landed a seventh-place finish after starting 13th. This year, Mack guided Derek Kraus to a 30th-place result, reflecting both the competitive difficulty and the necessity of continuous adaptation. Another key factor in Mack’s preparation stems from a recent test at the track undertaken by the No. 43 team—providing technical insights for Sunday’s race.
“I haven’t been to WWTR with John Hunter yet, but the No. 43 team tested there earlier this year, so we’ll make the most of what we learned. We’re looking to carry the momentum from Darlington and continue building on the strength of our intermediate package.”
—Travis Mack, Crew Chief
Erik Jones Prepares for a Fourth Cup Start at WWTR
Erik Jones is set for his fourth Cup Series race at World Wide Technology Raceway. His track record includes a top-seven finish in the Cup Series’ inaugural race at the venue in June 2022 and two further top-20 results. Jones has shown a knack for leading laps at the track, notably starting 21st and heading the field for four circuits during his debut. His Truck Series experience at WWTR is also strong, with three starts and a best finish of fifth in June 2016, while leading 88 laps over his tenure in that division.
Jones’ 2015 campaign included a pole position start in the Craftsman Truck Series at WWTR, where he dominated early and led a majority of the laps before an accident ended his challenge. That setback was quickly turned into triumph, as Jones found success at Iowa Speedway the following week and soon locked up the season championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway later that year.
“WWTR is a unique track, but it reminds me a lot of Phoenix. I enjoy racing there. It seems like the track has gotten pretty wide the last few years, so that gives us a bunch of options to move around and do stuff. That’s always a positive when we go to these places. We’ll have to see what it does this time around. We’re bringing a different tire than what we raced there before too. It’s been a good race with a great crowd, so I’m looking forward to seeing how the track widens out and what kind of options we have.”
—Erik Jones, Driver
Spotlight on Ben Beshore’s Tactical Approach
Crew chief Ben Beshore has twice led Cup Series efforts at World Wide Technology Raceway, with standout results including a near-victory with Kyle Busch in 2022. Busch started 12th, led for 66 laps, and finished just six-tenths behind Joey Logano, who seized the win in the race’s closing moments. Most recently, Beshore partnered with John Hunter Nemechek, starting 22nd and ending in 26th place. Beshore’s strategic thinking acknowledges the unique challenges of WWTR, particularly its emphasis on track position and the importance of pit stop choices—a factor which will heavily shape Sunday’s result.
“WWTR tends to be very track-position based as it’s been hard to pass there. You see a lot of guys have success there doing fuel only and two-tire stop strategies to try and get out front at the end. It’s another track that’s asymmetric, similar to Darlington. Turns 1 and 2 are tighter than Turns 3 and 4. From a setup standpoint, you’re just trying to compromise the best you can on each end of the track.”
—Ben Beshore, Crew Chief
Engagement Beyond the Track
Legacy Motor Club’s team members are also engaging with fans and the NASCAR community through multiple appearances. Travis Mack will join the SiriusXM NASCAR Radio lineup on Tuesday, September 2. Ben Beshore and John Hunter Nemechek will participate in programming on Wednesday, September 3, while Erik Jones is scheduled for Thursday, September 4. Nemechek is also slated for a fan signing event at the NASCAR Classics trackside merchandise location on Sunday, September 7. These interactions provide fans with opportunities for direct engagement with their favorite drivers and crew chiefs as race day approaches.
Bringing the Racing Experience to Social Media
This weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway, Erik Jones and his No. 43 Family Dollar Toyota Camry XSE team will host Sydney Thomas, a prominent influencer and Zigazoo content creator, as a special guest. Thomas’s extensive digital reach, with major followings on Instagram and TikTok, will allow fans to experience behind-the-scenes moments at the circuit. Zigazoo’s collaboration further highlights the modern intersection of motorsports and digital content creation.
Race Day Broadcast Information
Fans looking to follow the action can watch the Enjoy Illinois 300 live from World Wide Technology Raceway this Sunday, September 7, at 3 p.m. ET, with coverage on USA, MAX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The event promises competitive drama as Legacy Motor Club looks to convert prior lessons and improvements into a standout performance.
What’s at Stake for Legacy Motor Club?
With a lineup of proven drivers and knowledgeable crew chiefs, Legacy Motor Club World Wide Technology Raceway ambitions are focused on translating past experience and incremental upgrades into tangible results. As momentum from strong showings at places like Daytona and Darlington converges with the unique demands of WWTR, Sunday’s race is poised to test adaptability and teamwork. The team’s engagement off the track and embracing of new media partnerships signal a commitment not only to on-track performance but to deeper fan involvement and community connection, setting the stage for a compelling outing in Madison.
