Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson has reiterated his desire for Legacy Motor Club to expand to at least three charters in the coming years.
Legacy, which Johnson became the majority owner of in early 2025, currently fields two charters in the Cup Series: The No. 43. driven by Erik Jones and the No. 42 driven by John Hunter Nemechek. However, the team is currently embroiled in a lawsuit against Rick Ware Racing regarding the alleged purchase of a charter for the upcoming season.
This came as a result of a crossing of the wires between the two sides, with Legacy stating that the charter would be theirs from 2026, while RWR believes it was from 2027.
What’s more, after having worked with T.J. Puchyr to help them purchase RWR’s charter for $45 million, Legacy sued Puchyr following his decision to attempt to buy the team for $150 million after the timeline dispute between the teams kicked off.
Most recently, RWR was slapped with a preliminary injunction that blocks the sale of its charter while the lawsuit remains in progress. As things stand, it is set to head to the courtroom in January 2026.
“We have full intentions to expand to a third car. Obviously, we’re in a litigation and working through all of that,” Johnson explained on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “But our core product, if you will, is NASCAR Cup Series racing.
“And in order to be as successful as possible, you need as many cars as you can on track in order to leverage and maximize the financial aspect, the technical learnings, drivers, crew chiefs, all the aspects.
“If we could have four, I would aspire to have four charters if I could. But with the new rules, it’s only three for a new team. And so that’s our first step. We really need to show our competition, and everything will build off that.”
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It’s unclear who Johnson envisages as his third driver should they acquire another charter. That being said, it’s unlikely he’s plotting a shock comeback himself, having recently admitted to Kevin Harvick that at this stage in his career, he’s more useful to the team behind the scenes than on the asphalt.
Appearing on the ‘Harvick’s Happy Hour’ podcast, Johnson said that while he “would like” to compete in 2026, “I am finding that I am more impactful for the business side of the house out of the car and in the suite or in our hospitality area with our sponsors.”
Alternatively, Johnson has also previously admitted that Legacy would consider soon-to-be-free-agent Daniel Suarez, who is set to leave Trackhouse Racing, if the team were prepared to field a third car.
“I would look hard at him if we were prepared and ready and moving in that direction,” he recently said, via Motorsport. “In this instance, I highly doubt timing is going to work out. I think he’s a great talent and should have plenty of options.”