The anticipation for the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway intensifies as Legacy Motor Club prepares to make waves, featuring star drivers like Jimmie Johnson, John Hunter Nemechek, and Erik Jones. This Legacy Motor Club Kansas Preview brings high expectations and a lineup rich with experience, promising an energetic contest on September 28 at the famed 1.5-mile oval.
Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth: Legends Shaping the Legacy Arsenal
Jimmie Johnson, co-owner of Legacy Motor Club and a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion, boasts an impressive record at Kansas Speedway with over thirty Cup Series starts. Johnson has not only clinched victory three times at this challenging track—in September 2008, October 2011, and May 2015—but also earned a total of nine top-five finishes and nineteen top-10s, while leading more than 600 laps at the venue. Aside from his Cup Series success, Johnson’s Xfinity Series participation in September 2001 saw him charge from a 38th place start to a notable sixth-place finish.
Similarly, Matt Kenseth, the team’s competition advisor and the 2003 Cup Series Champion, has carved out a formidable history at Kansas. Since his first start at the speedway in 2001, Kenseth has celebrated two consecutive triumphs in October 2012 and April 2013, and accumulated seven top-fives and thirteen top-10s in 27 Cup starts, leading a total of 774 laps. His prowess extends into the Xfinity Series, where he boasts a victory and frequent top finishes, confirming his enduring relevance at Kansas.
Spotlight on John Hunter Nemechek: Confidence Fueled by Consistency
John Hunter Nemechek enters Kansas with growing momentum, having already matched his best Cup Series finish at the track—tenth place—earlier this year. In the Xfinity Series, Nemechek’s record is stellar: three starts, never outside the top ten, including wins in October 2018 and September 2023. His Truck Series story is equally convincing, with three poles, four top-fives, and victory in September 2022, where he dominated by leading 88 of 134 laps and finished with a significant margin.
Nemechek’s average finish in the Kansas Xfinity Series sits at an impressive 3.3, underlining his knack for strong performances on this surface. In the Truck Series, his consistency stands out, with only one result outside the top ten in six starts, an indicator of his adaptability and skill at this intermediate track.
“I’m excited to get back to Kansas. I have a lot of confidence after our top-10 there earlier this year. We’ve made a lot of gains in our mile-and-a-half package since May, so I’m feeling ready for Sunday.”
— John Hunter Nemechek, Driver
Travis Mack: Crew Chief’s Calculated Approach
Travis Mack, crew chief for Legacy Motor Club, brings experience from ten prior Cup Series races at Kansas, first taking the helm in May 2018 with Kasey Kahne. Notably, Mack achieved his best Kansas results—10th place—in September 2022 and matched that with Nemechek this spring. His Xfinity Series campaigns align with this trend, showing a pattern of strong top-10 showings and a pole award earned with Michael Annett.
“I am really looking forward to Kansas Speedway. We’ll build off our first race and carry over the speed we showed at Darlington. I feel like Kansas is a racetrack that we can show up and have a really good opportunity to bring home the trophy.”
— Travis Mack, Crew Chief
Erik Jones: Momentum and Community Engagement Off the Track
Erik Jones prepares for his eighteenth Cup Series start at Kansas, where he has previously secured four top-five and six top-10 finishes. Both his best Cup results—third place—were achieved at this track in May 2019 and September 2023. Jones also competed in the Xfinity and Truck Series at Kansas, with podium pursuits and a pole in Trucks, reflecting his adaptability across NASCAR’s divisions.
The 2023 season marked a turning point for both Jones and Legacy Motor Club following Jimmie Johnson’s acquisition of an ownership share. This leadership transition brought immediate improvement, with Jones delivering the team’s first top-five and top-10 finishes since the overhaul, capped by his podium performance at last September’s event.
Outside the car, Jones will visit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City before race day, engaging with local children in a literacy-focused appearance. This event, supported by AdventHealth, will feature a reading of “Goodnight Racetrack” by Andy Amendola and Ashley Newgarden, showcasing Jones’ commitment to giving back to the Kansas City community alongside his racing endeavors.
“Kansas is a fun track for me. It’s definitely one that’s been good with the NextGen car. It’s super wide and you can move around a lot – use the top and bottom lanes. For us, I feel like it’ll be a good race. Our mile-and-a-half program has been strong this season. I hope that we can have a good race, bring a fast car, and have the results that we should’ve had in May here.”
— Erik Jones, Driver
Ben Beshore’s Strategy for Sustained Success
Crew chief Ben Beshore’s track record at Kansas spans seven Cup Series races atop the pit box, including a 2021 win with Kyle Busch and a podium in May 2022. His influence was also clear in Xfinity Series outings, where he guided John Hunter Nemechek to victory last fall after commanding the race by leading 154 laps. Beshore’s adaptability and familiarity with Kansas track nuances underscore his significance to the team’s overall strategy this weekend.
“Kansas is more of that cookie-cutter intermediate track, which we’ve done fairly well at this year. It’s our strong spot as a team. Hopefully, we can take what we learned at Darlington and transfer it over to Kansas. I think we can also fall back on what we had the previous race. We were honestly okay there but got off a little bit on strategy and had issues. Our intermediate-track speed has been our strength this year though.”
— Ben Beshore, Crew Chief
Fan Engagement and Race Day Details
John Hunter Nemechek is set to connect with fans at the NASCAR Classics trackside merchandise rig on Saturday, September 27, at 11 a.m. local time, offering autograph sessions and exclusive meet-and-greet opportunities that exemplify the club’s energetic approach to race-week engagement.
Race fans can tune in to the Hollywood Casino 400 on Sunday, September 28, beginning at 3 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast on USA and MAX, and listeners can follow every lap on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
Legacy Motor Club Kansas Preview: Anticipated Outcomes and Lasting Impact
With an all-star roster and renewed confidence, Legacy Motor Club arrives at Kansas Speedway aiming to build on strong recent performances and continue its upward trajectory. The unique blend of veteran experience, strategic leadership, and dynamic young drivers puts the team in a position to challenge for top honors. Both fans and competitors will be watching closely as Legacy Motor Club aims to leave a mark on this pivotal weekend in Kansas, propelled by momentum and a passion for success.
