LEGACY MOTOR CLUB is a team attempting to rise through the ranks of the NASCAR Cup Series, and in 2027, the organization is set for a massive wave of change. The two-car team will expand to three full-time entries next season, with Riley Herbst set to drive the No. 84 Toyota, and the organization is currently seeking a replacement for John Hunter Nemechek, with whom the team decided to part ways at the end of the current campaign.
According to an initial report from The Athletic and industry insiders, Josh Berry is likely the top candidate for the No. 42 Toyota, which will be vacated by Nemechek.
On Friday, Jimmie Johnson, co-owner of the LEGACY MOTOR CLUB team, confirmed in an interview with Dave Moody on SiriusXM Speedway on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that Berry will be a consideration for the team, but stopped short of saying he would be the only driver considered for the ride.
“[Josh Berry] would definitely be a consideration,” Johnson said. “There are some other options we’re exploring, as well. You know, again, trying to think big picture, trying to think of where we need to be as an organization, how we can develop our cars faster. There are a lot of elements in play, and you know, we hope to get our arms around it here before long and can share the news.”
As for the team’s decision to move on from Nemechek, Johnson addressed that in the interview as well. According to Johnson, the decision to move on from Nemechek, who was previously signed for the 2027 season, was a move made with the long-term picture of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB in mind.
@JimmieJohnson on the decision to move on from @JHNemechek at @LEGACYMotorClub ??
?? "When you look across the landscape for how we grow the company […] there was a scenario there that we needed to explore."
More ?? https://t.co/WGRTG5gnEd pic.twitter.com/vUKPTDpnLY
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) September 4, 2026
“We’re in pro sports, and as we look across the landscape for how we grow the company, and if you’re looking at a chessboard, two or three chess plays down the road, how you can make the most informed, smart decisions for the company,” Johnson explained. “We have partners to think of; we have investors to think of.”
Johnson continued by saying the decision wasn’t an easy one to make, and that LEGACY MOTOR CLUB is committed to helping Nemechek and supporting him as he looks for his next opportunity.
In the days following the report of Nemechek leaving LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, many rumors began to swirl around the internet that Nemechek and Johnson had a falling out; some of those rumors even suggested a fight occurred between the two at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Johnson refuted those claims.
“Not true. No. Actually, we were texting last night; I think one of those may suggest that we’d gotten into a fist fight, and we had a funny text exchange about that. So, none of that is true,” Johnson stated. “You know, and really, as the owner of this company, I’ve not been in this situation, and it’s not easy, and I don’t want to be lighthearted about it, you know, it was a very difficult decision for us to make. John Hunter is someone that I believe in and care about. We live in a pro sports world, and you know, sometimes there are other factors in play that just have to be considered and thought about, and, you know, that’s really the root of it all.”
It’ll be interesting to see if Berry ends up landing the No. 42 ride as expected next season, and if so, how his 2027 campaign compares to the three seasons that Nemechek has had under his belt driving the car in the NASCAR Cup Series.
