Legacy Motor Club, owned by 7-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and first-ballot Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson, has filed a lawsuit against Rick Ware Racing, claiming that they have been trying to back out of a signed charter sale agreement for the 2026 season.
Reportedly, the disagreement is about when the charter would be transferred. RWR reports that “it was believed that the deal would go into effect in 2027, but Legacy changed it to 2026 without proper communication”. Legacy disagreed, noting that “it has been clear from almost the beginning of the negotiations.”
NASCAR declined to comment on the matter.
While this lawsuit unfolds, it’s worth noting that RWR has faced other legal challenges recently. For instance, a lawsuit related to a sponsorship deal following a driver swap between Justin Haley and Corey LaJoie was dismissed.
As of now, specific details have not been publicly disclosed. The case highlights the ongoing drama of charters in NASCAR, especially with recent limitations on the number of charters a team can hold. This is not the first case of lawsuits within the sport regarding those, either, as 23XI and Front Row Motorsports have an ongoing case, which has gone through court, since October of 2024. Learn more here.
Owning a charter guarantees a team’s entry into every race and a share of the purse money from NASCAR’s NASCAR. Legacy Motor Club currently operates two charters, with John Hunter Nemechek on the 42, and Erik Jones on the 43. They sit 17th and 29th in points, respectively. It has been seeking a third to expand its operations.
Charters have been sold for up to $40million in recent transactions, and even though details have not yet been revealed, it’s easy to infer this is a very high-value negotiation, which implies neither team will give up so easily, possibily resulting in a story to follow for many months to come.
What is your opinion on the matter? Will Legacy prevail or does Rick Ware have a strong case? Let us know!
