Jimmie Johnson Reveals Legacy MC’s Three Car Expansion Plans for 2027

Ex-NASCAR Cup champion Jimmie Johnson has explained his team LMC’s plan to expand the team to a three-car operation.

Jimmie Johnson Reveals Legacy MC’s Three Car Expansion Plans for 2027

Jimmie Johnson (Via @JimmieJohnson/X)

Seven times NASCAR Cup champion Jimmie Johnosn came back to NASCAR in 2023, two years after his retirement, as an owner driver for now rebranded Legacy Motor Club. He is now the majority owner of the team, after buying the major share of the team, with help of new investor group.

He has made some massive changes, incluifng new driver and joining the Toyota garage, ending their long-time Chavy deal. These changes have slowly made the team one of the strongest sides in the midfield and they are now looking into expanding to a three-car operation. Johnson made the revelation on his latest appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Without question, we will have a third car on the grid next year. Very excited about that. And as we continue to improve, we continue to go inside the industry. Our growth and our commitment to growth, we’ll be able to attract and recruit the right individuals to help come in and really grow the workforce for this third car.

Jimmie Johnson declared.

The ex-HMS racer highlighted how the team is growing positively and how they Toyota partnership [ is helping them. The in-house IP and additional track time is making them a strong side. Once they add a full-time car, unlike the part-time No:84 car of Jimmie Johnson, they will only grow more.

And that’s really an exciting time for us, where we can bring a lot of IP in-house, have 30 percent more on-track time, and all the benefits that come with running an additional car will help speed up our progress.

Jimmie Johnson said via SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

They need a third driver for the new entry in 2027 and they are actively scouting, with many drivers going out of contracts next year. They might have the opportunity to sign the likes of Kyle Busch, Corey Heim, Riley Herbst, Taylor Gray, Alex Bowman or Austin Cindric.

We’ll keep a close eye on the driver market. We know that throughout the season, there are plenty of rumors. We feel that there are a lot of drivers in contract years, and so how early does Silly Season start? We’re not sure, but we’ll keep our eyes open to be ready.

Jimmie Johnson added.

Jimmie Johnson is cherishing moments as LMC leader

Ahead of his 2026 Daytona 500 appearance, Johnson had talked about how he is loving his new role as the team owner and being the nucleus of a team. It is a big change from the 15-20 people he used to lead when driving the No:48 HMS Chevy.

Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Johnson (Via IMAGO)

It is so rewarding, and something I’ve also really enjoyed was being the nucleus of a team, and getting people to work together – in my day, it was really about 15 to 20 people, just that road crew and a small group of the 48 team… And now it’s 140 men and women at Legacy, and we’ll be growing as we bring on that third car and get closer to 200 employees, and it fills a bucket and gives me a lot of purpose and something I really enjoy.

Jimmie Johnson said.

He now has 140+ employees to look after at LMC and that number will be close to 200 when they eventually add the third full-time crew. This gives the veteran a new purpose in NASCAR, semothing which is much different from his racing days. It would be interesting to see how long it will take for jJ to help LMC to get back to victory lane.

Also Read: Jimmie Johnson Insists Manufacturer Contracts are Making Life ‘Complicated’ for Young NASCAR Racers