Jimmie Johnson is unlikely to return full-time to the Cup Series, but with the unpredictable nature of the 2024 NASCAR season, anything could happen. At 48, and facing the challenges of the Next-Gen car, his part-time efforts with the #84 entry haven’t been very successful. Similarly, Legacy Motor Club’s full-time drivers, John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones, are struggling, ranking near the bottom of the points table with mediocre equipment. However, Johnson’s recent actions suggest he’s planning significant changes at Legacy for the next season.
As a struggling team enters the silly season, wild rumors inevitably spread online. One such rumor links Johnson to his team’s #43 car, potentially replacing Erik Jones. Ironically, it’s the fans who have quashed this rumor before it could gain traction.
There’s speculation about Johnson’s return to Legacy Motor Club. Although Erik Jones hasn’t performed well recently, with only a single top-10 finish at Daytona in 2024, NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass says Jones’ seat is secure for now, though he hasn’t signed a contract for 2025. On the other hand, John Hunter Nemechek, who has a contract for next season, has outperformed Jones statistically, with three top-10 finishes compared to Jones’s one. However, Nemechek also has more DNFs and sits 31st in the standings, four spots behind Jones at 27th. While wins seem unlikely for either driver, it’s worth noting that Jones pulled off a surprising victory at Darlington two years ago. Nemechek has shown promise, winning two Xfinity Series races in 2024, indicating a potentially bright future for Legacy Motor Club.
Legacy Motor Club, founded on the remains of Richard Petty’s former team, Petty Enterprises, in 2021, has only one NASCAR win, secured by Jones at Darlington. Johnson himself hasn’t managed a top-10 finish in his ten races with the part-time #84 entry since 2023. This season, Legacy faces a mysterious fate, and Johnson, as co-owner, is making necessary changes. In July, competition director Joey Cohen left for undisclosed reasons, replaced by former NASCAR crew chief Bobby Kennedy as General Manager. After a disappointing 33rd-place finish at the Brickyard 400, Johnson’s part-time crew chief Jason Burdett and several team members were let go.
Despite these changes, Johnson is still set to race three more times for Legacy this season. His crew chief remains unknown, and he recently told the IndyStar, “I want to race, but I don’t want the third car to be a detriment to the other two,” reflecting the challenges of balancing his responsibilities. These developments have led some fans to speculate that Johnson might make a drastic move to improve his team, possibly taking over the #43 car from Erik Jones, who might move to Spire Motorsports in 2025. While this nostalgic move seems unlikely at 48, the fans have actively debunked these rumors.
One fan suggested that Legacy’s decision to let go of the #84 team is about reevaluating Johnson’s efforts. Johnson himself admitted to the IndyStar that “The revenue [LMC] generate(s) can help us use the third car to develop new talent and can help us develop new setup ideas…” indicating that running a part-time car is not economical. Another fan highlighted the possibility of Andretti entering NASCAR with Spire, though they doubted Johnson’s return to full-time racing.
Some fans were critical, questioning why a seven-time champion would risk his legacy by driving an underperforming #43 car. These rumors have left parts of the NASCAR audience confused, leading them to clarify on social media. One fan noted that Johnson’s stint with the #84 car is more about collecting data for Legacy Motor Club.
Ultimately, many believe Johnson’s true NASCAR career ended in 2020, and a full-time return is highly unlikely given his age and legacy. Nevertheless, fans are left wondering if Johnson might make an unexpected move in the near future.
