Look at the NASCAR garage right now and you'll see a lot of polished, corporate machines. But over at Legacy Motor Club, things feel different. Gritty. Like they're actually figuring it out. Honestly, the 2025 season was a massive "prove it" year for Jimmie Johnson’s team, and they actually did.
They grew.
Progress in racing is usually measured in inches, but for the No. 42 and No. 43 teams, it felt like miles. For anyone hunting for the latest Legacy Motor Club news, the biggest takeaway heading into 2026 isn't just about a new sponsor or a fresh paint scheme. It's the fact that they've graduated from being the "new guys" with a famous owner to being a legitimate Tier 1 Toyota powerhouse that teams like Joe Gibbs Racing have to actually worry about.
The Justin Alexander Era Begins for Erik Jones
Erik Jones is a wheelman. We've known this since he was winning at Darlington in the iconic No. 43. But 2025 was a weirdly quiet year for him, despite finishing 24th in the standings—four spots higher than the year before. He had some serious speed, but the consistency just wasn't there. Basically, the team decided a shakeup was mandatory.
The big headline? Justin Alexander is stepping in as the crew chief for the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE.
Alexander is a heavy hitter. He’s the guy who helped Austin Dillon win a Daytona 500 and a Coca-Cola 600. He knows how to close. Ben Beshore, who was on the box for Jones last year, isn't leaving the building; he’s moving into a Director of Race Engineering role. That’s a smart play. It keeps the institutional knowledge in the shop while giving Jones a fresh set of ears to talk to during the heat of a Sunday afternoon.
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John Hunter Nemechek’s Breakout is Officially Here
If you weren't watching John Hunter Nemechek last year, you missed a masterclass in "finding the limit." He ended up 25th in points, which sounds modest until you realize he jumped nearly ten spots from his 2024 finish.
The kid led 37 laps last year. A career high.
He and crew chief Travis Mack are staying together for 2026, and that's probably the best Legacy Motor Club news Nemechek fans could ask for. They had three races where both he and Jones finished in the top 10. That doesn't happen by accident. It happens because the Toyota Racing Development (TRD) data is finally trickling down to them in a way they can actually use.
They’ve also locked in some serious cash. Dollar Tree and Family Dollar extended their deal through 2028. Pye-Barker Fire & Safety is back too. But the one that has people talking is the new partnership with Rexel USA. They’ll be the primary on the No. 42 for the Richmond race in August and an associate sponsor at Las Vegas. Having a major electrical distributor jump on board tells you that the business world thinks this team is a safe bet.
Jimmie Johnson and the "Open Exemption" Drama
Okay, let's talk about the elephant in the room: the No. 84.
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Jimmie Johnson is 50. He’s a seven-time champ. He doesn't have anything to prove, but he still wants that 84th win to match his car number. For the 2026 Daytona 500, Legacy Motor Club played a bit of a wildcard. They applied for, and were granted, the Open Exemption Provisional.
What does that actually mean?
- Jimmie is 100% in the field for the Great American Race on February 15.
- The field will expand to 41 cars.
- He won't get any purse money.
Some fans are calling it the "Promoter's Choice" rule, and yeah, there's a bit of an asterisk for the purists. But honestly, who doesn't want to see Jimmie Johnson in the Daytona 500? He finished third there last year. He can still win the thing. Beyond Daytona, he's already confirmed he's racing at the inaugural event at the San Diego Naval Base (Coronado). He’s also hinted that a full-time third car might be coming in 2027, or even late 2026 if the stars align.
Why the Toyota Relationship is the Secret Sauce
For a long time, this team felt like a Chevy leftover. When they moved to Toyota in 2024, they were essentially "Tier 3." They got the parts, but not the deep-level secrets. Cal Wells III, the team's CEO, has been vocal about changing that.
They are now a true Tier 1 partner.
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This means they’re sitting in the same meetings as Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell. They have access to the same simulation data. When you see Erik Jones finishing 3rd at the Southern 500 like he did last September, that’s the Toyota engineering showing up. They aren't just building cars anymore; they're building a notebook.
Legacy Motor Club 2026 Roster at a Glance
- No. 42 Toyota: John Hunter Nemechek (Crew Chief: Travis Mack)
- No. 43 Toyota: Erik Jones (Crew Chief: Justin Alexander)
- No. 84 Toyota: Jimmie Johnson (Select races including Daytona and San Diego)
What to Watch for Next
If you're following Legacy Motor Club news through the spring, keep an eye on the short-track package. With NASCAR bumping horsepower to 750 at tracks under 1.5 miles, the No. 43 team has a massive opportunity. Jones has always been a "rhythm" racer who excels when the cars are harder to drive.
Expectations are high. They aren't looking for "moral victories" anymore. They want trophies.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the Duels: Since Jimmie is locked into Daytona, his starting spot depends entirely on the Twin 125s. Watch how aggressive he gets now that the pressure of qualifying is gone.
- Track the 43's Pit Cycles: Justin Alexander is known for aggressive pit strategy. See if he starts short-pitting to gain track position for Jones early in the season.
- Monitor the 3rd Car Rumors: Keep an ear out for names like Jesse Love or Corey Heim. If Legacy announces a third charter for 2027, one of those Toyota development drivers is likely the target.