John Hunter Nemechek enters Las Vegas Motor Speedway with confidence, determined to draw from Jimmie Johnson NASCAR success as he chases a strong finish in the upcoming Las Vegas 400. As a driver for Legacy Motor Club, Nemechek gains added encouragement from his team owner, Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion who has proven triumph on this track.
With five previous Cup Series starts at Las Vegas, Nemechek’s best result came in the fall 2024 race, where he placed ninth—marking Legacy Motor Club’s highest finish at the venue to date. Earlier that season, he also notched the team’s best starting spot at Las Vegas, rolling off from twentieth position.
The 27-year-old’s performance at Las Vegas extends across multiple series. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Nemechek’s seven starts are highlighted by a commanding win in March 2024, where he led 99 laps and finished over four seconds ahead of Cole Custer. His NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series record at Las Vegas includes 10 starts, two pole positions, and a victory in March 2021 after leading most of the race’s laps. These statistics reinforce his readiness and optimism for the weekend.
“We’ve been seeing progress in our mile-and-a-half program all year, so I’m excited to see what we can do in Las Vegas. I’ve had success at this track in other series in the past, so I’m feeling confident heading into the weekend,” he said.
The team’s morale also benefits from the presence of Jimmie Johnson, whose four Cup Series victories at Las Vegas—three of which were consecutive from 2005 through 2007—serve as a proud benchmark. Matt Kenseth, now the team’s competition advisor, carries another three wins at the track. Their collective experience serves as a foundation for Legacy Motor Club’s competitive ambitions heading into race weekend.
As part of the race lead-up, Nemechek and teammate Erik Jones spent time at the UFC Apex near the Las Vegas Strip, training with UFC’s Forrest Griffin. The pair are scheduled to serve as grand marshals at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway hauler parade on Friday, further energizing the team’s presence in the city.
Nemechek Aims to Bounce Back from Kansas Crash
Before heading to Las Vegas, Nemechek experienced a setback at Kansas Speedway during the Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by ESPN Bet, held on September 28. In the final laps, driving the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE for Legacy Motor Club, he was involved in a multi-car accident that upended his race hopes.
The incident occurred on lap 267 of 273, as Nemechek’s Toyota Camry made contact with Zane Smith’s No. 38 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Smith’s vehicle was sent into the outside wall and rolled over twice, while Nemechek’s car then collided with Ty Gibbs and Josh Berry before coming to a violent stop against the wall. Both Smith and Nemechek were eliminated from the race as a result.
Post-race, Nemechek took responsibility for the crash and offered a candid assessment of the incident while speaking with NASCAR analyst Bob Pockrass.
“Just made a mistake on my part. I owned up to it,” he said. “The entry speed that (Zane) had, I thought he was going to run the very top. So I was going to go try run three-wide middle and ultimately just didn’t have enough room between Zane’s left rear quarter panel and my right front getting into the corner there. I got tight and then kind of got sucked into his left rear quarter and then we’re along for the ride after that. Just a mistake on my part. It’s unacceptable and definitely have to learn from and not let that happen again.”
The aftermath of the accident left both drivers with DNFs, with Smith finishing 31st and Nemechek 32nd. Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports took the win in Kansas.
Legacy Motor Club Leverages Experience for Las Vegas Challenge
Legacy Motor Club’s combined assets—including Jimmie Johnson’s rich winning history at Las Vegas and Matt Kenseth’s repeated successes—equip John Hunter Nemechek with valuable insight and seasoned support as he moves into race weekend. Drawing on these examples as well as his own victories in both the NASCAR Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series at this track, Nemechek aims to capitalize on positive momentum and lessons learned from recent challenges.
The team’s energetic approach is clear as they seek to convert their incremental improvements on intermediate tracks into a competitive showing in the Las Vegas 400, with both strategy and determination driving their efforts. As Nemechek continues to chase similar NASCAR success to his team owner, the spotlight remains on how Legacy Motor Club will perform with guidance from leaders like Johnson and Kenseth, as well as input from racing community figures such as Bob Pockrass.
Looking forward, the outcome at Las Vegas Motor Speedway may further establish Nemechek’s status among prominent drivers and reinforce the lasting impact of Jimmie Johnson’s legacy in the sport. Fans await to see if Nemechek can deliver a result worthy of the team’s storied champions and mark a new milestone for Legacy Motor Club in the competitive world of NASCAR.
