Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson recently shared details about his plans for Legacy Motor Club’s growth during an interview with former driver Paul Tracy on The RACER Channel. Johnson, who is competing in what he expects to be his last NASCAR race season, discussed the team‘s future direction and his role in expanding the organization.
Jimmie Johnson began his NASCAR Cup Series career in 2001 with Hendrick Motorsports, where he won seven championships, achieving 83 wins, 233 top-five finishes, 375 top-ten finishes, and 35 pole positions across 700 starts. Johnson joined Legacy Motor Club in 2023 and has made 14 starts with the team so far, though he has yet to secure a victory with them.
During the interview, Johnson explained to Tracy how his focus has shifted from driving to team ownership and development:
“The team owner side and our focus and commitment to building a proper NASCAR program is taking all my time and effort. You know I’ll drive the car one more time this year at least, maybe another one later in the year, but it really has to help serve our greater cause as an organization.” — Jimmie Johnson
“Then just really trying to focus on building the team and getting it right, we also want to expand to a third car so that we can maximize everything within the NASCAR ecosystem. Then from there we need to think of our driver pipeline and how we’re going to bring along future drivers for Legacy Motor Club. Is that Xfinity, Trucks, Trans Am, down to Carding, like, where do we start, and how do we approach that in a smart fashion so that it’s really a large part of our focus right now,” he concluded.
Johnson marked a significant personal milestone on May 25, 2025, when he made his 700th start at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Unfortunately, the race ended prematurely for the legend as he lost control in turn four on lap 112, resulting in a crash that also involved Connor Zilsch and Cole Custer.
Jimmie Johnson Discusses Future Race Participation Beyond the Milestone Start
Although Johnson reached his 700th NASCAR start, he indicated this milestone would not be the end of his racing career. Speaking to RACER.com’s Kelly Crandall, Johnson expressed his desire to compete in additional races despite the ongoing changes in his professional role.
“It is part of our plan. We don’t have ’26 picked yet, but rest assured, there (are) more than 700 starts. I’m jumping up and down asking for more races than two.” — Jimmie Johnson
After retiring from full-time stock car racing in 2020, Johnson competed in the IndyCar Series for two seasons. His legacy was further solidified in 2023 when he was named among NASCAR’s Greatest Drivers and earned induction into the Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
Johnson’s evolving role within Legacy Motor Club highlights his transition from celebrated driver to committed team owner, focused on constructing a strong, multi-car racing organization. By aiming to introduce a third car and building a development pipeline across different racing series, Johnson seeks to ensure long-term competitiveness for the team.
This strategic expansion of Legacy Motor Club under Johnson’s leadership is likely to influence NASCAR’s competitive landscape in the coming years, as cultivating new talent and increasing the team’s presence become top priorities. Fans and industry observers will be watching closely to see how these initiatives unfold beyond Johnson’s final races behind the wheel.