Legacy Motor Club is poised to make a strong statement at the upcoming NASCAR Clash at historic Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as the unofficial start to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season brings top drivers and local favorites together for grassroots-style racing. This highly anticipated event not only showcases Legacy Motor Club’s ambition for a victory but also highlights the unique history and community spirit of one of NASCAR’s most storied tracks, all while focusing on both seasoned competitors and emerging talent. The spotlight this weekend turns to the experiences and aspirations of John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones, who look to leverage their deep roots in grassroots racing on one of short-track racing’s grandest stages.
Bowman Gray Stadium Sets the Stage for the 2026 Cook Out Clash
The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Bowman Gray Stadium for its second year, following a sold-out debut last season that saw Chase Elliott take the checkered flag. Known as The Madhouse, Bowman Gray has a distinguished legacy as a grassroots venue in Winston-Salem, attracting not just regular Cup Series drivers but also local “hometown heroes” making their series debuts. The setting combines NASCAR’s high-octane action with the deep-rooted traditions of short-track racing, creating an electric atmosphere for drivers and fans alike as they kick off the season under the lights.
Bowman Gray hosted the Clash for the first time in 2025, after years at Daytona International Speedway and a brief stint at Los Angeles Coliseum in 2022. The move to North Carolina’s classic quarter-mile oval reinvigorated excitement for the event, promising close racing and dramatic moments on a track steeped in history.
Legacy Motor Club: Drivers with Grassroots Heritage and Local Ties
Legacy Motor Club brings a rich background in grassroots racing to the forefront with its drivers. John Hunter Nemechek’s journey began when he was five, competing in go-karts, quarter midgets, and on dirt bikes. He entered the Allison Legacy Series in the Carolinas in 2010, clinched the championship in 2012, and graduated to NASCAR’s national ranks a year later. Similarly, Erik Jones got his start running late models in Michigan, earning prominence at 16 when he outraced Kyle Busch at the 2012 Snowball Derby, a landmark grassroots event.
The team’s ground-level ties also extend to its crew, including Rick Rozier—a Winston-Salem State University graduate and former football and track athlete—who now serves as the fueler for the No. 42 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE pit crew. Rozier’s presence reflects Legacy Motor Club’s commitment to both talent and community involvement.
Legacy Motor Club Ventures Abroad Following Phoenix Finale
After the conclusion of the 2025 season at Phoenix Raceway, John Hunter Nemechek and Legacy Motor Club owner Jimmie Johnson traveled to Japan for a special NASCAR Exhibition organized by the Automobile Business Association of Japan. Nemechek piloted a two-seater No. 42 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry XSE, while Johnson returned to action in the No. 24 Garage 56 car in partnership with Hendrick Motorsports. The exhibition also featured 23XI Racing, with Kamui Kobayashi at the wheel of the No. 67 TGR Toyota Camry XSE. All three drivers demonstrated the excitement of NASCAR-style racing in exhibition laps during the Super Taikyu Series event at Fuji Speedway, marking a unique moment in Legacy Motor Club’s global journey.
John Hunter Nemechek Looks to Capitalize on Lessons from Last Year
John Hunter Nemechek returns for his second start at Bowman Gray after a challenging 2025 debut. Last year, Nemechek encountered contact while making his way through the heat race, finishing eighth and requiring a run in the 75-lap Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) to secure a place in the main event. Although he navigated past incidents and fought up to fourth place in the LCQ, he missed transferring into the final by just two spots, fueling the team’s determination to improve this year.
As the No. 42 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE driver, Nemechek is guided by crew chief Travis Mack, who enters his second full-time season atop the pit box. Mack brings experience from 31 short-track starts in the NASCAR Cup Series and a successful stint with Michael Annett in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, where he garnered nine top-10 finishes out of 13 short-track races.
“I’m looking forward to getting back in the racecar. I’m excited for 2026. It’s going to be super cold this weekend, so it’ll be hard to get temperature in tires. Racing at Bowman Gray Stadium though is going to be unique, there’s a lot of history there. I’m ready to get back in the car and get my feet wet per se and hopefully go race for a win. I feel like we had a strong car last year, so I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do this weekend before heading down to Daytona and getting back into the rhythm of things.”
—John Hunter Nemechek, Driver
Crew chief Travis Mack reflected on last year’s effort and the work done in the off-season to strengthen the short-track program:
“Last year we got wrecked in the heat race and had a really good car. We rebuilt it all night and we were really close to making the main race’s starting last. We just had a really good test in North Wilkesboro with the No. 43 car, so I think that’s going to help us at The Clash. I’m excited to get back to the racetrack, especially a short track. I feel like we need to work on our short track program from last year, so I think this is going to be a big step in that direction.”
—Travis Mack, Crew Chief
Erik Jones Aims to Return to Victory Lane at The Clash
Erik Jones faces his second appearance at Bowman Gray Stadium’s Cook Out Clash, both for himself and the series. In the 2025 event, Jones finished eighth in his heat, pushing him into the 75-lap LCQ. After battling to the front and briefly leading, contact while running three-wide during a late restart ended his night just laps before the finish. This year, Jones is determined to stay out of trouble and break through to the main event.
Jones is no stranger to the winner’s circle in this pre-season event, having secured his first career NASCAR Clash victory in 2020 at Daytona International Speedway. He overcame multiple incidents in that race, ultimately receiving a decisive push from Denny Hamlin across the finish line, making for a memorable win.
He enters this weekend’s Clash with a new crew chief at the helm, as Justin Alexander replaces Ben Beshore for the No. 43 AdventHealth Toyota Camry XSE. Alexander brings extensive experience, including overseeing Austin Dillon’s victories at the 2017 Coca-Cola 600 and the 2018 Daytona 500 with Richard Childress Racing, and previously working as a shock specialist and engineer alongside Travis Mack and Jimmie Johnson at Hendrick Motorsports.
“The Clash at Bowman Gray is a crazy race. Last year, we saw a lot of contact and a lot of guys getting into each other. It came down to being in the right place at the right time. We got taken out in a transfer spot last year with just a couple of laps to go, so it didn’t work out for us. I just hope we have a good car and a shot to transfer to make it into the main race. I’m excited for that, and to work with Justin (Alexander, crew chief). Him and I got some time together at the test at North Wilkesboro to help figure out communication not only between us but also the No. 43 team guys. I think Bowman Gray will be a good extension of what we learned as a group there. Hopefully, we can have luck go our way and stay out of trouble so we can make the main event on Sunday.”
—Erik Jones, Driver
Justin Alexander shared his focus for the weekend:
“The biggest thing heading into the Clash is continuing to learn how we communicate with each other. This weekend is about understanding what Erik likes in the car, how he gives feedback, and how we operate as a team. The expectation is to be competitive but also learning and building as a group to create a solid foundation for the rest of the season.”
—Justin Alexander, Crew Chief
Busy Offseason Keeps Momentum High
During the offseason, Erik Jones spent much of his time in Michigan with family and marked his son David’s first birthday on Thanksgiving. He also competed in the December Snowball Derby in Pensacola, Florida—a race he once famously won as a teenager—but just missed advancing from the LCQ despite a determined effort. The continued pursuit of grassroots success echoes throughout the entire Legacy Motor Club roster as they build motivation going into a demanding season.
Legacy Motor Club Connects with Fans and Prepares for the Showdown
Fan engagement remains front and center for Legacy Motor Club, with Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek scheduled to participate in the NASCAR Clash Preview on Friday, January 30 at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds. The drivers will meet supporters, with Jones’s autograph session at 11:30 a.m. and Nemechek’s following at 12:15 p.m. local time, giving fans a chance to interact directly ahead of the big event.
The Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium is set for Sunday, February 1 at 8 p.m. EST. Fans can tune in on FOX, MAX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90) to witness NASCAR’s best take on one of the sport’s most unique and challenging venues.
Significance and Outlook for Legacy Motor Club in the NASCAR Clash
The stage is set for a spirited showdown at Bowman Gray, with Legacy Motor Club eager to demonstrate their progress and determination to contend at short tracks this season. With drivers and crew members combining deep grassroots traditions, a renewed short-track program, and a commitment to learning and team chemistry, expectations are high for both Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek. Their performances at Bowman Gray will offer an early indication of the team’s strength heading into the full NASCAR Cup Series campaign, and could ignite momentum for victories yet to come in 2026.
