Seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson has been phenomenal as a driver in NASCAR. He dominated the early 2000s and went on to clinch multiple titles. His dominance at Hendrick Motorsports earned him a revered place in motorsport history. Johnson’s precision and consistency made him an icon on the track, cementing his reputation as one of the sport’s greatest drivers.
After tying with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt in several championships, Johnson decided to retire in 2020. Johnson took a two-year break from NASCAR while competing in multiple racing events like IndyCar. However, in 2022, he bought stakes in Legacy Motor Club by partnering with Maurice Gallagher and Richard Petty. Since then, he has been working to push the team into the front row. Now as the 2025 season approaches, Johnson steps into a new role as LMC restructures itself.
Jimmie Johnson embarks on a new journey
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
The iconic No. 43 car may still grace NASCAR’s grid, but the essence of Petty Enterprises has gradually been redefined. Since 2023, when Legacy Motor Club was rebranded from Petty GMS Motorsports, the team has undergone several changes. Maury Gallagher, along with Jimmie Johnson, tried to spearhead the team. However, ahead of the 2025 season, Gallagher’s has decided to step back from day-to-day operations.
This decision has left Johnson in full control of the organization. As Gallagher now joins as an ambassador alongside Richard Petty, Johnson has assumed the role of majority owner. Knighthead Capital Management will join Johnson as a minority partner. While this decision gives Johnson more decision-making power, it has some challenges.
However, the seven-time Cup series champion looks ahead to face it. “Right or wrong, I feel like I’m starting all over again. It feels like 2002; I’m the new guy. I have the yellow rookie stripe on my back again. Maury’s commitment to capital investment has set us up for success, and I look forward to showing that in the ’25 season,” Johnson told The Racer.
Notably, this decision comes at a point when Legacy Motor Club is struggling to challenge top teams. After the 2023 season, LMC decided to switch their manufacturers, which led to a decline in their performance. As the new season approaches, Johnson knows that he will face the pressure of results. However, he believes that his partnership with sponsors will allow him to have some breathing space.
“In the two years and the partnerships that we’ve built with Dollar Tree, Toyota, AdventHealth, there is a lot of security that I have for the next window of time because our contracts are all long-term,” Johnson told Kelly Crandall of The Racer. He further praised Maury for his contribution to the team and said, “I want to win races for him (Maury).”
While Johnson boasts to get back to the victory lane, things won’t be easy for him. Since he joined the LMC, the team has won just a single race that too in 2022. Apart from that team has just five top 5, 27 top 10 finishes. With drivers like Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek, Johnson will need to make a mark in the upcoming season. It’s worth noting that Johnson himself will participate in some races in 2025. He will try to qualify for the Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600.
Legacy Motor Club eyes extension
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
While Jimmie Johnson’s immediate focus is improving the team’s NASCAR performance, he is also setting his sights on expanding Legacy Motor Club into other racing disciplines. At the recently concluded Rolex 24, Johnson spoke about his future plans. “I think there’s a great opportunity in North America to have a bigger presence. As time goes on and opportunities present themselves, we’ll have an open eye and certainly hope to expand,” he told media.
Johnson’s vision includes potential involvement in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. He might also put LMC in endurance racing, given his own experience in Rolex 24. Notably, partnerships with Toyota Gazoo Racing North America could facilitate this growth. Johnson mentioned that Toyota understands his vision for expansion and supports Legacy Motor Club’s ambition to participate across various motorsport divisions.
It’s worth noting that LMC has already ventured into Extreme E, an off-road electric racing series, showcasing its willingness to explore new avenues. The success of teams like Trackhouse Racing, which recently entered endurance inspires Johnson’s strategy. He praised Trackhouse’s owner Justin Marks for demonstrating how NASCAR teams can effectively diversify their operations. “It’s certainly a model that I’m inspired by. If some good breaks go our way, we’ll have some other great things to talk about,” Johnson said.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
Jimmie Johnson’s journey as the leader of Legacy Motor Club marks a significant shift in NASCAR’s landscape. While the legacy of Petty Enterprises fades, Johnson’s ambition breathes new life into the organization. However, he will start under tremendous pressure of results from fans. What do you think will LMC see the victory lane in 2025?