LEGACY MOTOR CLUB has filed a complaint against Rick Ware Racing over a contract dispute that would allow the multi-car organization, owned by Jimmie Johnson, to acquire a third NASCAR Cup Series charter for 2026.
In the 46-page complaint, filed on Tuesday, April 1, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB says that the two organizations came to an agreement on the sale of the Charter on March 3, 2025, but despite the agreement being signed and initialed on each page (for good measure), Rick Ware Racing is attempting to back out.
“Despite having a binding deal in place, [Rick Ware Racing] wants to back out,” says LEGACY MOTOR CLUB in its complaint. “It has told LEGACY that it will not, under any circumstances, close the parties’ transaction. LEGACY has tried to talk sense into RWR to no avail. LEGACY’s patience has run out. It now brings this suit to enforce its rights and hold RWR to a deal.”
Now, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB is asking the court to step in via a request for a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction against Rick Ware Racing, saying that the team will face immediate and irreparable harm if this deal does not go through as planned.
Rick Ware Racing, in this complaint, is described as “strapped for cash, and unable to compete at a Cup Series level by its own admission”. The 46-page complaint by LEGACY MOTOR CLUB is mostly redacted, in order to keep the terms of the agreement out of the public eye.
LEGACY MOTOR CLUB and Rick Ware Racing each hold a pair of NASCAR Cup Series charters.
Rick Ware Racing currently only fields one entry full-time, the No. 51, but has leased its other charter out to RFK Racing, who is using it to field the No. 60 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Ryan Preece.
Alternatively, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB fields the No. 42 and No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for drivers John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones.
A Rick Ware Racing spokesperson offered the following statement:
“This lawsuit distorts the actual facts and is a misguided attempt to tarnish our reputation. RWR has negotiated in good faith and operated with the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.
“We are confident that the truth will prevail and look forward to swiftly resolving this matter through the proper legal channels.”
Requests for comment from LEGACY MOTOR CLUB have gone unanswered at this time.
