Building a legacy is something seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson embodied during his time as a full-time driver.
Johnson’s success while competing in the Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports placed him in elite company as one of NASCAR’s greatest drivers.
Now in an ownership role with Legacy Motor Club, the 47-year-old is looking to build upon the legacy of a team that once stood above the rest with fellow seven-time champion Richard Petty dominating the sport for more than 30 years.
On Tuesday, Legacy M.C. announced the team was switching from Chevrolet-branded cars to Toyota machines beginning in 2024.
The news came as a shock to many, who despite his two years wheeling a Honda-powered car in the IndyCar Series, couldn’t fathom Johnson being associated with a manufacturer other than Chevrolet.
All of Johnson’s championships and 83 victories came aboard the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.
Though the reasoning behind the switch is simple for Johnson and co-owner Maury Gallagher — Toyota gives the team the best chance to take the next step.
“Directionally, I think that there’s a lot that’s unknown in the future of our sport,” Johnson said. “We’re racing a new car, and frankly, I’m pretty new to the way we go racing now.
Johnson (left) alongside Petty at Daytona (Fla.) Int’l Speedway. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
“When I left the sport, there still was some testing. There were other elements where teams could develop and work through stuff on their own. The way it is positioned now, it really is a function of the OEMs collecting the information, and that gets shared through the teams and through the organizations.
“Our deep alignment in ’24 and beyond with Toyota puts us in a very strong position to control our own destiny as an organization.”
While last season saw full-time driver Erik Jones score a surprise victory in the Southern 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, this season has been a struggle for the organization.
Aboard the No. 43, Jones ranks 24th in points, while rookie teammate Noah Gragson is mired back in 32nd without a top-10 finish through 11 races.
“Being in the back of the pack, some people can live there, but that’s not a place I’m willing to live,” Gallagher said.
Why has this season been a struggle? Gallagher believes the top tier teams are beginning to find ways to separate themselves from the pack with the Next Gen car.
“Candidly this year, we’re not doing as good as we could. I think some of the people that are used to being at the top are figuring out that edge,” Gallagher said. “We want to be one of those people at the top, we want that edge.
“We’re moving down a road that I think is going to produce an ability to stand alone. One of the things when we talked to David (Wilson) and Tyler (Gibbs, General Manager TRD U.S.A.) in particular is, we wanted to stand alone, we wanted to be our own team.
“Historically, most of the teams in Toyota have had Gibbs (Joe Gibbs Racing) as their technical partner. We want a direct relationship with Toyota at this point,” Gallagher continued.
“We built this shop to do that. Mike Beam and what we’ve done over time and the people that will come. It’s something that I think is the best outcome for the team, and gives you the best control of your future.”
The news is out. Now what?
The big question that looms is how the team approaches the rest of the season alongside Chevrolet, knowing their partnership will end in November.
“Well, it’s a big effort. As Jimmie mentioned earlier, there’s been a lot of change running through our shop,” Gallagher said. “These administrative things, candidly, are distractive from the competition.”
Noah Gragson’s No. 42 Chevrolet. (HHP/Chris Owens)
As Gallagher spoke, Jones and Gragson sat intently listening to his words.
“You can see these two drivers aren’t exactly working on Kansas this week right now,” Gallagher said. “We want to put this behind us. It’s an important day and important announcement, but back to the grind, as they say.
“We’ve got what? Twenty-five to 28 races left to do. So a big season left, and we want to be moving up the pecking order and being the best we can in those remaining races.”
Johnson believes having the news announced early allows for both sides to refocus on the task at hand, competing and improving as the season advances.
“I think from a strategic standpoint, we’ll try to work at the executive level, and try to identify areas that we can continue to improve as a team this year, regardless of what’s in the future for us,” Johnson said.
“We’re a growing race team. There’s certainly a lot going on here with our ambition to be in victory lane and our core group of folks on the competition side. We’re happy to have this announcement today. I think that’s part of why it’s happening so early, is just so that we can get it out there.
“We know that come November, December, whatever it is, we’ll transition. But let’s let’s get this out in the open, pull the cover off, let’s get back to work,” Johnson continued.
“We go back to being competitors once we hang up from this call from a Chevrolet to TRD standpoint. So, we’re focused on being the best team we can be this year. And then obviously excited about ’24 and beyond.”
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Keyword: Why Toyota? Legacy Motor Club Wants An Edge