The No. 43 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series carries not just a racing number but a legacy linked to Richard Petty’s historic impact on the sport. Now under the stewardship of Legacy Motor Club and co-owner Jimmie Johnson, expectations were elevated for the 2025 season. Despite Johnson’s seven championships and fresh leadership, the team’s progress has been challenging and uneven, as they continue to rebuild and seek consistent results.
Erik Jones, driving the iconic No. 43 car, shared an unvarnished evaluation of their pace and development as they approached the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona, highlighting ongoing struggles but also emerging signs of improvement.
Erik Jones Reflects on the Team’s Ongoing Climb
Facing questions about Legacy Motor Club’s position in 2025, Jones conveyed a straightforward message about the team’s status. He described their journey as still very much uphill, acknowledging some positive moments but emphasizing that the full potential remains out of reach.
Well… I think so… it’s obviously been a long climb… and… we’re still climbing that mountain… there’s… there’s definitely been some bright spots in there this year… which has been a… you know… a positive and needed thing,
Jones explained.
The comparison with last season is notable: in 2024, wins were not attainable and consistent performances were scarce, making the path forward unclear. However, the current year provided bursts of competitive performance, particularly on intermediate tracks and superspeedways, which has allowed the team to maintain hope for playoff contention. Despite these glimpses, legacy and results in NASCAR are often judged by wins and points accumulation rather than incremental progress alone.
Jones also admitted to the slower-than-anticipated rebuilding process, highlighting how the team had to essentially start anew on many fronts.
It’s taking longer than we’d hope, a hundred percent,
he stated during a NASCAR Live podcast.
We’ve really had to start from scratch on a lot of this stuff… our road course program, our short track program have been major struggles… and so, we really don’t have a notebook on that… and we’ve been building that out this year.
This lack of foundational data is critical, as rival teams such as Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing benefit from extensive knowledge bases to optimize car setups on various track types. Legacy’s deficit in both road course and short track preparation—which make up a significant portion of the schedule—has been a key factor in limiting their competitiveness.
Nevertheless, Jones noted progress in some areas, particularly the team’s performance on mile-and-a-half intermediate tracks and speedways, which now provides a more stable platform for future improvement.
The road course and short track stuff still gotta get better… but our mile-and-a-half and speedway stuff has been strong,
Jones remarked.
Are we where we wanna be? No… I think our expectations were probably a bit higher than what we’re currently doing right now. We’re better than we were last year, but not where we wanted to be currently.
The bottom line is that while incremental development exists, Legacy Motor Club remains positioned in the middle tier as opposed to a consistent contender for victories and the playoff chase.
The Significance of Daytona and a Chance for Turnaround
For Jones, Daytona holds personal and professional significance as the site of his first NASCAR Cup Series victory. That moment remains special to him, underscoring the emotional connection to the venue.
Well, it’s definitely special… for me, probably a little extra special… that was number one for me in Cup… so that was a cool moment… and definitely one that I think you always will remember,
Jones reflected.
This year’s summer race at Daytona also carries heightened stakes; moved to the position of the regular-season finale, the event adds another layer of unpredictability and importance. Jones admitted he viewed this change favorably, appreciating the added excitement it brings despite mixed opinions around the shift.
I know there was… originally a little bit of trepidation around moving this race to the season finale a few years back… I was kinda one that… I liked the idea… and… I really think it’s… it’s… I don’t know… that race didn’t really need any rejuvenation… but it’s definitely throwing some spark into it,
he said.
Qualifying for the playoffs hinges on performance at Daytona, making the race a pivotal moment for Erik Jones and Legacy Motor Club. Success here could transform gradual progress into meaningful postseason opportunity, while failure might prolong their quest for breakthrough.
It’s our last shot to make it in this weekend… and it would mean a lot to us to get in the playoffs,
Jones emphasized.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead for Legacy Motor Club
Legacy Motor Club’s development under Jimmie Johnson’s co-ownership and the infusion of Toyota resources reflects the complexities of rising back into competitive form. The team has shown promise on specific track types while grappling with foundational deficiencies on others. The gradual climb reflects the realities of NASCAR’s demanding environment, where building a winning program requires time, data, and consistent execution.
The impending race at Daytona represents a crucial juncture, potentially shaping the team‘s trajectory toward the playoffs or extending their rebuilding phase. While the path remains steep, the combination of Jones’ determination and incremental improvements hints at the possibility of future breakthroughs that could revitalize the storied No. 43 car.