Who Drives Legacy Motor Club’s Third Car
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?
Jimmie Johnson’s Legacy Motor Club vs Rick Ware Racing: Everything You Need to Know About the Lawsuit (So Far)
What’s Happening? NASCAR Hall of Famer and Seven-Time Champion Jimmie Johnson’s Legacy Motor Club is suing Rick Ware Racing over a…
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. 
What is Sam Mayer’s Route to the Cup Series?
What’s Happening? Sam Mayer is in his fourth full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series, and fans are wondering what his next step will…
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.
Kyle Busch’s Free Agency Dilemma
What’s Happening? Kyle Busch is currently in one of the worst stretches of his career. A long losing streak, combined with…
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.
Corey Heim is Still A Long Way From Full-Time Cup Series Action
What’s Happening? On this week’s episode of Actions Detrimental, Denny Hamlin gave minor insight into 23XI’s plans for their first developmental…
What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
