Ahead of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season, NASCAR team owners Maury Gallagher, Jimmie Johnson, and team ambassador “The King” Richard Petty announced on Wednesday that Petty GMS will be rebranded as LEGACY Motor Club.
LEGACY M.C. will house two full-time NASCAR Cup Series teams this season featuring rookie Noah Gragson in the No. 42 Chevrolet and three-time Cup winner Erik Jones in the team’s flagship No. 43 Chevrolet.
Johnson, who has spent the last two seasons competing in INDYCAR will return to NASCAR and compete in a limited Cup Series schedule including next month’s Daytona 500.
Johnson, the seven-time Cup Series champion unveiled the team’s new name and logo on NBC’s “TODAY” show Wednesday morning in New York City.
“Just over a year ago, I had the opportunity to acquire Richard Petty Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series,” said Gallagher. “We made great strides throughout the 2022 season – winning the Southern 500 with Erik at Darlington and bringing Noah into the team for 2023.
“With the addition of Jimmie in an ownership role, we knew change was inevitable with his experience and knowledge. Our goal is to win races, win championships and to represent our partners by performing at the highest level.
“The new image of LEGACY M.C. is something that will allow us to stand out and foster a team environment that breeds success.”
Johnson, 47, said the team’s new identity is an opportunity to honor the past but recognize the future. The new branding also paves a path for LEGACY M.C. to expand its footprint – similar to what fellow Cup team owner Justin Marks has done with the Trackhouse brand.
“After brainstorming about the new name of our team, Maury and I recognized the opportunity to do something special and different,” added Johnson. “We felt it was important to have a name (LEGACY) that honored the past and acknowledged the future.”
“The term ‘Motor Club’ is a nod to car clubs of the past. LEGACY M.C. will be an inclusive club for the automobile racing enthusiast. I am excited to be a part of a story so rich in heritage and look forward to creating a new legacy in this sport outside of the racecar.”
Expected to make his first NASCAR Cup Series start in the “Great American Race” since Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway in 2020, Johnson, a native of El Cajon, Calif. will pilot the No. 84 Chevrolet.
The No. 84 signifies the number of wins in his NASCAR career capturing 83 victories in Cup and one in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
The team does not have a charter for the No. 84 team and will compete as an open team and vie for one of the four spots available on the starting grid for the Feb. 19 season-opener.
LEGACY M.C. and Johnson will announce the remainder of his limited Cup Series schedule at a later date.
“I’m looking forward to a new era in the No. 84 Chevrolet with LEGACY M.C. and getting a shot to drive the new Next Gen car this season,” said Johnson.
Petty, also a seven-time Cup Series champion says LEGACY M.C. protects the significance of what was accomplished in the past but also in the future.
“As we were all talking about creating a new name for the team, we looked at Jimmie, myself, and Dale Inman – that’s 22 championships – so there couldn’t be a better name to fit our race team than LEGACY. The “Motor Club” is a perfect fit because we want our fans to pull for the whole team.” remarked Petty.
“When I see the No. 42 & 43 cars, no matter who the driver was, is currently, or could be in the future, I want our fans to remember the Petty history that comes with them, and that history will continue to be made with LEGACY M.C.”
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