Jimmie Johnson’s #84 team at Legacy Motor Club (LMC) has seen some shake-ups, with several key members, including crew chief Jason Burdett, being let go. This has sparked a range of opinions among NASCAR fans. Johnson, a seven-time Cup Series champion, had previously stepped away from racing after the 2020 Season Finale 500 but made a return to the Cup Series last year.
Unfortunately, Johnson’s comeback with LMC has been rocky. His three races—the Daytona 500, the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), and the Coca-Cola 600—ended early, prompting the replacement of his crew chief Todd Gordon with Jason Burdett for the current season. Johnson planned a nine-race schedule for this season and has completed six races so far, with his most recent run at the Brickyard 400. Despite his efforts, his best finishes have been 28th place at Daytona and Dover, and he has faced two Did Not Finish (DNF) results at Kansas and Indianapolis.
Johnson was initially set to race part-time in his 22nd Cup Series season, while Burdett was brought on for a full-time role at the North Carolina-based team. However, the lack of strong results led to some staff changes. When a fan asked motorsports journalist Bob Pockrass if LMC had let go of the entire #84 crew, Pockrass clarified that only some employees were released. He also confirmed that Johnson’s remaining three races for the season—at Kansas, Las Vegas, and Phoenix—will proceed as planned.
Following this update, fans voiced their opinions on social media. Some questioned Johnson’s performance and suggested that it might be time for him to step away from driving. Comments included suggestions that Johnson should focus on being a team owner, as his current performance was seen as disappointing compared to his earlier achievements.
Despite the changes, Johnson and Burdett share a long history in the Cup Series, dating back to 2002 when Johnson was a rookie with Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) and Burdett was part of the team. Burdett later moved to JR Motorsports in 2015, serving as a crew chief and achieving notable success before reuniting with Johnson at LMC for the 2024 season.
Johnson has spoken highly of Burdett, recalling their time together at HMS and praising Burdett’s character and professional legacy. Johnson expressed excitement about Burdett joining Legacy Motor Club, emphasizing their strong working relationship.
Burdett’s career also includes time as a car chief at HMS, where he worked with Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. before moving to JR Motorsports. Despite the recent changes at LMC, the history and mutual respect between Johnson and Burdett highlight the enduring connections within the NASCAR community.
