The ongoing Jimmie Johnson charter settlement has finally resolved the tense legal dispute surrounding NASCAR teams, bringing relief to those involved. This development assures the stability of RFK Racing‘s No. 60 team for the upcoming season, marking a significant turning point for drivers, stakeholders, and fans.
Resolution After Months of Legal Uncertainty
After enduring an extensive legal process, NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson confirmed that Legacy Motor Club (LMC) and Rick Ware Racing (RWR) have officially reached a confidential settlement concerning their charter disagreement. This agreement follows a final hearing and allows the organizations to refocus their priorities on competition rather than court cases, offering renewed confidence for those impacted by the feud.
The conflict began when LMC aimed to secure a third charter from RWR as a cornerstone of its three-car expansion. RWR initially agreed to provide a charter for the coming NASCAR Cup Series season. However, when contract talks broke down over the charter’s availability for 2026, Johnson and his associates from LMC initiated legal action. This litigation created a cloud of uncertainty for several teams, including RFK Racing, as they awaited resolution.
RFK Racing’s Path Clears With Continued Charter Agreement
Brad Keselowski, a veteran Cup Series competitor and co-owner of RFK Racing, now sees his team’s No. 60 entry—driven by Ryan Preece—moving forward without the threat of losing its charter. As the details of the Jimmie Johnson charter settlement emerged, Legacy Motor Club was granted the green light for its multi-car expansion, and RFK Racing secured its agreement to continue with its No. 60 charter, at least for the foreseeable future.
Confirmation came through reliable sources, including a message shared by FOX Sports reporter Bob Pockrass, who relayed a statement from an RFK spokesman:
We can confirm driver and partner agreements are in place for the 60 team. We are happy to continue our charter agreement as Rick Ware Racing and Legacy Motorsports have indicated that contracts will be honored.
– RFK spokesman
Background of the Dispute and What Comes Next
The charter at the heart of the dispute is one of two NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) charters held by RWR—one backing Cody Ware’s No. 51 Ford and the other leased to RFK Racing for the No. 60 entry. Lawsuits were initiated over which specific charter was promised to LMC, with both sides adopting sharply different timelines for the proposed transfer. Reports from April suggested RWR expected the transaction would materialize for the 2027 racing season, while Johnson and his group believed it should have become effective by 2026.
Preece’s No. 60 car currently relies on a charter leased directly from Rick Ware Racing, with agreements in place to ensure ongoing participation in the next season. According to knowledgeable sources, Legacy Motor Club is honoring the standing contract between RWR and RFK, preserving continuity for the No. 60 team amid the realignment.
Potential Impact for Teams and Fans
The conclusion of the Jimmie Johnson charter settlement enables all parties to focus on racing and organizational growth without distraction from lingering contract battles. For RFK Racing and its supporters, this outcome secures the immediate future of the No. 60 entry, allowing driver Ryan Preece and his team to prepare for the upcoming season with greater clarity and fewer off-track worries.
As contract promises are upheld and partnerships reaffirmed, this resolution will likely influence future negotiations in NASCAR, serving as a precedent for how disputes over coveted charters might be handled. Moving forward, teams such as RFK Racing and Legacy Motor Club are poised to pursue their goals on the track without the overhang of legal uncertainty, looking to build on this newfound stability.
RFK spokesman: “We can confirm driver and partner agreements are in place for the 60 team. We are happy to continue our charter agreement as Rick Ware Racing and Legacy Motorsports have indicated that contracts will be honored.” https://t.co/zAw2STRMJV
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 20, 2025
