Jimmie Johnson Breaks Silence on Uncertainty over LMC Expansion After RWR Lawsuit

Jimmie Johnson is not changing his plans for a third car at LMC next season despite ongoing legal troubles with RWR.

Jimmie Johnson Breaks Silence on Uncertainty over LMC Expansion After RWR Lawsuit

Jimmie Johnson (via USA Today)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

Jimmie Johnson is one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. The former Cup champion now has a new role as a majority owner of Legacy Motor Club. The 49-year-old’s team is currently in a legal battle with Rick Ware Racing over charter rights. However, Johnson has asserted that his team’s plans for expansion will remain intact.

Earlier this year, Legacy Motor Club announced an agreement with Rick Ware Racing to take its Cup charter. This would allow Jimmie Johnson‘s team to expand to a 3 car operation in the Cup Series. There were even rumors that Johnson himself might return to the field.

However, Rick Ware Racing was recently bought out by former Spire Motorsports founder, T.J. Puchyr. This has raised speculation over Legacy Motor Club’s plans with the team filing a case against RWR.

Jimmie Johnson made it clear that LMC will soon turn into a 3 car team. He acknowledged the ongoing legal troubles with RWR. Nevertheless, the 49-year-old asserted that to be successful in the Cup Series, a team needs to have as many cars as possible on the track. The likes of Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing run four cars each, with technical alliances with other teams.

Yeah, we have full intentions to expand to a third car. Obviously, we’re in litigation and working through all of that. But our core product if you will is NASCAR Cup Series racing, and in order to be as successful as possible, you need as many cars, it’s my belief, you need as many cars as you can on track.

Jimmie Johnson told SiriusXM.

Jimmie Johnson reveals reason for wanting 3 cars at LMC

On the surface, having more cars at a new team sounds more trouble than necessary. More cars require bigger crews, and more spending. This could stretch resources of a team like Legacy Motor Club. Although, Jimmie Johnson is clear that the pros far outweigh the cons.

Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Johnson (Via IMAGO)

The NASCAR legend asserted that having more cars helps a garage to maximize every part of the campaign. Notably, this allows a team to get much more technical knowledge at every race.

So much so, Johnson insisted that he would have liked to have a fourth car soon too. However, NASCAR forbids new teams from running four full-time cars in the Cup Series.

In order to leverage and maximize the financial aspect, the technical learnings, drivers, crew chiefs, you know, all the aspects. If we could have four, I would aspire to have four charters if I could. But with the new rules, it’s only three for a new team. So, that’s our first step. We really need to shore up competition and then everything will build off that.

Jimmie Johnson added.

Legacy Motor Club is unlike other small teams in NASCAR. Garages like 23XI Racing rely on technical alliances with bigger teams. While this allows a stronger start, it ultimately forces some restrictions. Jimmie Johnson’s LMC is a solo squad with no such tie-ups. This might seem challenging, but in the long run, it could allow Johnson to build an independent top team in the field.

Read More: Kevin Harvick Declares Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Lawsuit Is Going to “Drag Everyone Through the Mud”