Johnson to drive No. 84 for rebranded Legacy Motor Club
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Jimmie Johnson on Wednesday exposed his rebranded NASCAR team and reported he will travel the No. 84 — the reverse of his longtime No. 48 — when the seven-time winner competes for Legacy Motor Club.
Legacy Motor Club replaces Petty GMS, the name the two-auto Cup crew experienced final yr when Maury Gallagher became the main proprietor of Richard Petty’s business. Johnson bought into the ownership team in November, and with two of NASCAR’s 7-time champions aspect of the crew, the identify transform was fitting.
“With the addition of Jimmie in an possession function, we realized modify was inevitable with his expertise and knowledge,” stated Gallagher, who is entering his 2nd calendar year of Cup possession.
“Our purpose is to gain races, get championships and to stand for our associates by doing at the greatest level. The new graphic of Legacy M.C. is something that will allow us to stand out and foster a workforce natural environment that breeds achievement.”
Legacy M.C. will subject a pair of complete-time Chevrolets for Erik Jones in Petty’s famed No. 43, and Noah Gragson will join the team in the No. 42 this season. Johnson, who has so far only declared he will enter the Daytona 500 subsequent month, will pilot the No. 84 when he races.
Johnson drove the No. 48 for his complete Cup profession with Hendrick Motorsports, as effectively as the previous two seasons in IndyCar. Alex Bowman at this time drives Johnson’s previous No. 48 at Hendrick, forcing Johnson to find a new amount for his NASCAR return.
“After brainstorming about the new title of our staff, Maury and I regarded the option to do anything distinctive and distinct,” Johnson explained. “We felt it was essential to have a identify that honored the earlier and acknowledged the upcoming. The phrase ‘Motor Club’ is a nod to auto golf equipment of the previous. Legacy M.C. will be an inclusive club for the auto racing fanatic.
“I am energized to be a portion of a story so wealthy in heritage and appear ahead to developing a new legacy in this activity outside the house of the race vehicle.”
Johnson told The Involved Push later on Wednesday he’s however functioning on his 2023 program, such as partnership announcements. Carvana, which sponsored Johnson’s two seasons of IndyCar, claimed it will be his sponsor for the Daytona 500. Johnson is a two-time Daytona 500 winner.
He claimed running the all-star exhibition race at North Wilkesboro Speedway is nonetheless superior on his precedence record, but he acknowledged that it conflicts with Indianapolis 500 qualifying. Johnson created his Indy 500 debut last season — turning laps at in excess of 240 mph — prior to qualifying 12th and crashing late to finish 28th.
“The All-Star race is actually superior on my personalized listing, so I hope to do it, but there’s the Indy 500 piece that is out there on the IndyCar facet and that would be a conflict,” Johnson explained to the AP, adding that Chip Ganassi Racing is awaiting a conclusion from him.
“I know that CGR requires a final decision before long. They’re likely to allocate motor sets and however making an attempt to get the items to fall into location, and part of that is from sponsorship viewpoint,” Johnson included.
He claimed he does have permission to race a Honda for Ganassi at Indianapolis even though he now owns a Chevrolet workforce in NASCAR and will travel Chevys in a handful of Cup races. Johnson is not arranging to enter the exhibition Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum later this month but will attend as a team operator.
Johnson will test NASCAR’s second-year Next Gen automobile for the initial time later this month at Phoenix. He also is predicted to be declared later on this month as a single of the a few motorists for NASCAR’s Garage 56 software at the 24 Several hours of Le Mans.
As for the fitting identify improve of his new NASCAR workforce, Petty, Johnson and the late Dale Earnhardt are the only motorists to get seven Cup titles.
“There could not be a greater identify to in shape our race crew than Legacy,” Petty explained. “The ‘Motor Club’ is a ideal match for the reason that we want our lovers to pull for the full group. When I see the No. 42 & 43 vehicles, no subject who the driver was, is currently or could be in the upcoming, I want our admirers to bear in mind the Petty history that arrives with them, and that background will keep on to be designed.”
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