When Jimmie Johnson took over as majority owner of Legacy Motor Club, one of his biggest goals was to expand the organisation. The seven-time Cup Series champion has now explained the reason behind the addition of several high-profile investors.

Speaking to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Johnson said the charter system and recent legal settlement involving NASCAR have created a stable foundation for teams, allowing owners to think differently about growing their organizations.

“It's an incredible list, and when you think about where the sport sits after December and the settlement with MJ and NASCAR and permanency coming to our sport, we have a franchise, we will have three franchises next year, and it's a moment in time I've always hoped was coming. 

The charters did provide some of that structure and some of that mindset, but now we have these extremely valuable franchises, and I love this exercise in this kind of challenge of how do we really build our own franchises within this NASCAR ecosystem.”

Johnson's comments to SiriusXM NASCAR come shortly after Legacy Motor Club announced one of the most star-studded ownership groups in NASCAR. After first bringing in musician Darius Rucker as a co-owner in March, the team added celebrity chef Guy Fieri as a strategic owner in June, and then confirmed a larger strategic ownership group. 

The group includes MLB superstar Bryce Harper, surfing legend Kelly Slater, tennis Hall of Famer Andy Roddick, co-founder and co-chairman of CrossHarbor Capital Partners Sam Byrne, IndyCar champions Scott Dixon, Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan, Away CEO and business executive Jen Rubio, and former MLB All-Star Chase Utley.

Johnson believes in attracting expertise from multiple industries instead of relying solely on traditional motorsports investors. Many of the new owners bring backgrounds in professional sports, business, branding, and entertainment, helping Legacy Motor Club expand its reach beyond NASCAR's traditional audience.

How Darius Rucker announced his entry as a co-owner at Legacy

The three-time Grammy-winning artist joined Jimmie Johnson, Maury Gallagher, and Richard Petty as a co-owner in March this year.

While the team made the announcement official on its social handles, Rucker also shared the news on an episode of the Dan Patrick Show, stating that he asked Johnson before revealing the information. 

‘I gotta text Jimmie and ask if this was ok. Because we just decided to do this, we can announce now that I’m one of the investors and one of the owners of Legacy Motor Club. So, you know, I own NASCAR teams now, Dan. Look at me,” the artist said. 

Rucker did not have much else to add, but he also mentioned his love for motorsports and that he’s loved NASCAR for years.

Written by

Aaradhya Singh

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason