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Who Drives Legacy Motor Club’s Third Car

HAMPTON, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 07: Corey Heim, driver of the #26 Toyota Racing Development Toyota, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Focused Health 250 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on September 07, 2024 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Kauy Ostlien

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Royal T Grafix

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What’s Happening?

On Apr. 1, Legacy Motor Club filed a lawsuit alleging that fellow NASCAR Cup Series team Rick Ware Racing “wants to back out” selling them a third charter deal. While the ongoing lawsuit is a prominent story, it also confirmed long-time rumors that LMC is looking to expand its fleet. So, if LMC does expand, who are some potential candidates for this third full-time car?

The Charter and the Lawsuit

Legacy, owned by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson, currently owns two charters and fields two cars with those charters. The team was a candidate for expansion last season during the Stewart-Haas Racing fire sale, though they ultimately did not acquire a charter.

While this lawsuit is ongoing, it is unknown whether LMC will have this charter, and even then, what year that would be is up in the air. The year is the point of contention between the two parties. RWR alleges that they thought they would transfer the charter ahead of the 2027 season, while LMC claims it would be for the 2026 season.

But, looking to the future, if LMC gets a charter, the team’s next decision is to hire a driver. If this happens for the impending season, several options could be on the board for their team: top prospects, overlooked drivers, and a veteran. That being said, who are some drivers who might fit in at LMC should they get their expansion charter?

Sam Mayer

It was no secret last season that Sam Mayer wanted to take his talents to the NASCAR Cup Series level in 2025. At the time, the then-JR Motorsports driver was a consistent winner and a serious championship contender in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. This year, with the new Haas Factory Team, Mayer is off to a hot start, sitting second in Xfinity series points.

While he hasn’t lost any momentum since his jump to Ford, it is unclear if he can achieve his Cup Series in the packed Ford camp.  If Mayer continues to prove himself throughout this season, perhaps he could be a tempting option for LMC. While the team is far from the best, they would provide him with his long-awaited Cup Series ride. 

Taylor Gray

When NASCAR fans see the prospect of a new Car at the Cup Series level, several names might pop into mind. One of those drivers who has developed a bit of a cult following while working his way up the NASCAR ladder is Taylor Gray. Gray has shown flashes of talent with Joe Gibbs Racing in a packed NASCAR Xfinity Series rookie class.

Though he has fallen short of winning in the NASCAR National Series, that did not stop his promotion from Trucks to Xfinity. If Toyota needed a young driver to step up once again, Gray could see a quick turnaround to the top of the sport. But realistically, a look at the stats shows a driver still adjusting to the whims of the Xfinity Series; while it poses an interesting promotion, Gray is better off honing those skills first.

Kyle Busch

The idea of Kyle Busch teaming up with LMC and Toyota at some point dates back to the last season during the SHR charter wars. This was more of a fan theory than anything, as fans of KFB, seeing their driver’s hard times at RCR, fantasized about a return to his glory days with a Toyota team. Of course, Busch returned to RCR for 2025, but there is a chance he will leave at the season’s end.

Now, if LMC ultimately walks away with a new charter (sooner rather than later), there is a chance these two will cross paths for this opportunity. If LMC is running three cars and Busch is somehow on the open market, it would make sense for the team to pursue the knowledgeable veteran. However, if Busch’s options came down to LMC and RCR, the future NASCAR Hall of Famer may be better off staying put.

Corey Heim

When news about the RWR and LMC lawsuit first broke, several fans pointed to Corey Heim as the driver of this third car (if LMC had their charter for next season.) As the top Toyota prospect, Heim is in an odd spot, stuck in Trucks, with no support from Joe Gibbs Racing, and signed to a developmental deal at a Cup Series team with a full roster.

Heim has a history with LMC as a former reserve driver for the team and would perhaps prefer any shot at a season of Cup Series action as opposed to yet another Truck Series season while he awaits his ride at 23XI. If LMC ultimately does not expand, and Heim is the leading candidate, this is yet another road bump for one of NASCAR’s most promising prospects.

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AUSTIN, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 28: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #9 Safety Culture Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Focused Health 250 at Circuit of The Americas on February 28, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

O’Reilly: SVG Wins at COTA

by Cody Williams

What’s Happening?

The checkered flag is out for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competitors at COTA, and it was Shane van Gisbergen who was left standing tall at the end of the race. His 5th career O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victory, it was his first at the track.

  • The opening stage was dominated by the JRM duo of Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen with the No. 1 of Zilisch looking to be the stronger of the two early on. Prior to the end of the stage, both short-pitted, making a long-term play for the win. SVG still managed to end the stage in 10th.
  • Austin Hill stayed out after a disappointing showing in Atlanta last week to collect some stage points. Also running strong in the first stage were Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer, Brandon Jones, and Jesse Love.
  • Despite not being in his usual ride, Carson Kvapil was very competitive in his DGM No. 91 Chevy. Granted, the car was prepared by JR Motorsports ahead of this race, but it was DGM guys running the show. They did an admirable job, bringing the car home in the 19th position after falling off late. He’ll have 5 more starts in the car later this year to fill out the remainder of his schedule.
  • The second stage belonged to Sam Mayer. Finishing 2nd in the first stage and winning Stage 2, he had a mighty good points day today. Meanwhile, his former teammate Justin Allgaier also had a strong finish in stage 2. That’s a promising sign, considering his heartbreaks in Daytona and Atlanta, respectively.
  • Connor Zilisch had far from a perfect race today. Sure, he led a bulk of the opening stage, but mechanical issues plagued him later in the race. Extra time on pit road making repairs put him behind the 8 ball in Stage 2. This put the race firmly in the hands of SVG. He did manage to battle back to the top 5 before he was dumped by Corey Day and the controversy around that driver continues to build. Zilisch brought it home in 21st with significant damage.
  • With Connor Zilisch’s issues, it was more or less a cakewalk for Shane van Gisbergen in the JRM No. 9. He went on to win, scoring his 5th career win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. He has an opportunity to sweep the weekend. He starts tomorrow’s Cup race in the 13th position.

Race Results

Caution Tracker
  • Lap 20: End of Stage 1
  • Lap 35: Baltazar Leguizamon spins
  • Lap 40: End of Stage 2
  • Lap 57: Sage Karam

Points Standings

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AUSTIN, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 28: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #9 Safety Culture Chevrolet, Connor Zilisch, driver of the #1 Roto-Rooter Chevrolet, and Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Focused Health 250 at Circuit of The Americas on February 28, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

O’Reilly: Mid-Race Report, It’s the Zilisch and SVG Show!

by Cody Williams

What’s Happening?

The first two stages are in the books for the stars of tomorrow in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at COTA. Predictably, Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen dominated the first two stages. As they short-pitted at the end of each stage, Austin Hill and Sam Mayer both went to collect stage wins, respectively. Here are the key takeaways from the race so far.

  • Austin Hill, after a disappointing finish to last week’s race in Atlanta following being sent by Ross Chastain, won the opening stage of the race. This was, of course, after Connor Zilisch and SVG short pitted, playing the long game for the win. Zilisch led a bulk of the opening stage, leading 12 of the opening 20 laps. On pit road, SVG managed to leapfrog Zilisch for the would-be race lead.
  • The only incident to note in the opening stage was when Jeremy Clements got off course. The caution did not fly, and he finished the stage in the 30th position.
  • Key drivers earning stage points in the opening stage include Austin Hill (10), Sam Mayer (9), Justin Allgaier (8), Brandon Jones (7), Jesse Love (6), Carson Kvapil (5), Corey Day (4), and Rajah Caruth (2).
  • The second stage wasn’t quite as cut and dry as the first. While battling for the lead, Connor Zilisch overdrove a corner, making an uncharacteristic mistake. He went over the radio to complain that it felt like his car was pulling to the right, an indication of a possible issue with his left side brakes.
  • There was a late caution in the stage as Baltazar Leguizamón suffered a brake failure and plowed hard into the tire barrier. He was okay but this effectively ended his day. SVG and Connor Zilisch both came down pit road during this caution. Zilisch had a slow stop as his No. 1 crew started to check out the right side of the car for potential brake problems. Sam Mayer went on to win the stage.
  • Earning stage points in the second stage were Sam Mayer (10), Justin Allgaier (9), Carson Kvapil (8), Jesse Love (7), Austin Hill (5), Sammy Smith (4), Brandon Jones (3), and Ryan Sieg (1).

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AUSTIN, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 28: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #9 Safety Culture Chevrolet, and Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, lead the field during the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Focused Health 250 at Circuit of The Americas on February 28, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

What to Keep an Eye on in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race at COTA

by Cody Williams

What’s Happening?

The NASCAR Saturday Double-Header continues with O’Reilly Auto Parts Series action from Circuit of the Americas (COTA). Here’s what you need to look out for and what to expect in today’s race.

  • Road course heavy hitters, Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen, are in the field today. You know what that means: another slobber knocker of a race between them as everyone else struggles to keep up. And, you guessed it: they both are starting on the front row with Zilisch claiming the pole in his No. 1 JRM Chevy. SVG is driving the No. 9.
  • Since Zilisch is in the No. 1, Carson Kvapil has been demoted to the No. 91 of DGM Racing. While the car is prepared by JR Motorsports, it won’t be his usual pit crew. Rather, his crew is made up entirely of DGM employees. So, there are a lot of unknowns for him heading into today’s race. He’s starting 6th.
  • Speaking of JRM, Rajah Caruth turned some heads in the first two races of this season. How will he fare on a road course? That No. 88 team is used to winning on these types of tracks. Keep an eye on him. Caruth is rolling off 19th.
  • Austin Hill bounces back after a disappointing finish last week in Atlanta, thanks to the ruthless bumper of Ross Chastain. He’s rolling off in the 3rd position.
  • Coverage for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at COTA begins at 3 PM EST on the CW.

Starting Lineup

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