Legacy Motor Club has appointed Justin Alexander as the new crew chief for Erik Jones ahead of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, aiming to enhance the performance and leadership of its No. 43 team. The Legacy Motor Club crew chief selection follows several seasons of strategic changes, reflecting the team’s commitment to progress in Statesville.
Justin Alexander Brings Decades of Racing Experience
Justin Alexander joins the Legacy Motor Club after serving as a crew chief for 11 years with Richard Childress Racing. In his tenure there, Alexander helped guide drivers to five victories in the NASCAR Cup Series, including a win at the 2018 Daytona 500, and secured two titles in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. His extensive background is expected to complement Erik Jones’s strengths on the track as the team looks ahead to 2026.
Team owner Jimmie Johnson expressed enthusiasm about the new addition, stating,
We’re continuing to evolve and refine every part of our race program and Justin is a tremendous addition to our crew chief lineup,
— Jimmie Johnson, Team Owner. Johnson further emphasized,
His experience, communication style and leadership align perfectly with the direction we’re headed. We appreciate Ben’s hard work and look forward to his continued contributions as he transitions into his new role.
— Jimmie Johnson, Team Owner.
Ben Beshore Transitions to Race Engineering Leadership
Ben Beshore, who previously served as crew chief for Erik Jones, will move into the director of race engineering position at Legacy Motor Club. In the 2025 season, Beshore and Jones achieved four top-five finishes—an improvement over prior years—and five top-10 finishes. These results marked a significant step forward compared to 2024, signaling growth for the No. 43 car.
Beshore’s prior accomplishments include time with Joe Gibbs Racing, with 15 NOAPS wins—four of those alongside Kyle Busch in 2019—and three Cup Series victories with Busch in 2021 and 2022. His technical expertise and proven record are anticipated to benefit the engineering team as he steps into his new responsibilities.
Leadership Strengthened with New Chief Operating Officer
In addition to changes within the race team, Scott Roggenbauer has been promoted to chief operating officer. Roggenbauer’s financial oversight will now extend to broader operations, indicating an expanded leadership structure as Legacy Motor Club builds toward future ambitions.
Plans for Team Expansion and Upcoming Seasons
For the current season, Legacy Motor Club will field two cars, piloted by John Hunter Nemechek in the No. 42 car and Erik Jones in the No. 43. Discussions about team expansion are ongoing, and while Jimmie Johnson dismissed launching a third full-time car in 2026 after resolving a charter sale dispute with Rick Ware Racing, the possibility remains for 2027. Johnson has also referenced 2025 NOAPS champion Jesse Love, currently with Richard Childress Racing, as a potential future driver.
Love is set to continue in the No. 2 Chevrolet in 2026 to defend his NOAPS title. Meanwhile, Johnson himself will participate in two NASCAR Cup Series events in 2026, including both the Daytona 500 and a race at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego.
Looking Ahead for Legacy Motor Club
The selection of Justin Alexander as Legacy Motor Club crew chief, along with leadership transitions for Ben Beshore and Scott Roggenbauer, demonstrates the organization’s drive to optimize performance and adapt to the changing landscape of NASCAR competition. With a revitalized structure and a watchful eye on the future, Legacy Motor Club aims to build on recent improvements and position its team and drivers, including Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek, for greater success in the coming seasons.
