NASCAR News: Jimmy Johnson’s Legacy Motor Club Team Faces Radical Changes As Key Director Replaced

Legacy Motor Club—formerly known as Petty GMS Racing—pivoted to new branding and ownership in 2023. Co-owned by seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, the team has embarked on a mission of revival.

Legacy Motor Club has begun a collaboration with industry titan Toyota in a ‘Tier One’ alliance. This transition was marked by securing significant sponsorships from prominent brands such as Dollar Tree and Family Dollar.

However, the road has not been without its bumps. Operational challenges have been a notable concern, particularly with the next-gen cars introduced to the series. Joey Cohen, the departing vice president of race operations until his 2023 replacement, had revealed an issue affecting driver comfort and performance. He commented, as quoted by Essentially Sports:

“You have drivers getting numb – the backs of their legs were getting numb, their butt cheeks were getting numb.”

In response, Bobby Kennedy, a crew chief with a robust track record in varied competition roles, ascended as the new general manager, assuming Cohen’s responsibilities as the competition director. This is seen as a crucial step by management to potentially catalyze a turnaround in the team’s fortunes.

On the track, drivers like John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones have shown glimmers of high potential but wrestled with consistency. Nemechek, rejoining the Cup Series, and Jones, with standout moments including a win at Darlington in 2022, encapsulate the dynamic talents at Legacy’s disposal. However, both have been hampered by sporadic performance dips and vehicular challenges, prompting questions about the integration of the new cars and strategies.

Bob Pockrass shared to social media ahead of the race at the Pocono Speedway:

“Some changes at Legacy: Bobby Kennedy, who has been in the sport for decades as crew chief and other competition roles, is now general manager. Competition director Joey Cohen no longer with the team.”

The Great American Getaway 400 at the Pocono Raceway Results

1. Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
2. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
3. Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
4. William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
5. Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
6. Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
7. Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
8. Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
9. Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
10. Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
11. Chris Buescher, No. 17 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
12. Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
13. Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
14. Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
15. Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
16. Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
17. Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
18. Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
19. Corey Lajoie, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
20. Josh Berry, No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
21. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
22. Justin Haley, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet
23. Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
24. Michael McDowell, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
25. Daniel Hemric, No. 31 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
26. Cody Ware, No. 15 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet
27. Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
28. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
29. Zane Smith, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
30. Ryan Preece, No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
31. Harrison Burton, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
32. Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
33. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet
34. Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
35. JJ Yeley, No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet
36. Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
37. Noah Gragson, No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford