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The fallout of Stewart-Haas Racing’s closure may set the stage for the next few years of NASCAR. With one of their three charters remaining on the market, who will be the final team to expand?
Legacy Motor Club technically began in 2023. However, its roots go deeper in NASCAR.
The team began as a merger of Petty Enterprises and Evernham Motorsports in 2009. Later that season, it merged with Yates Racing.
The team continued as Richard Petty Motorsports until 2022, when Maury Gallagher purchased a majority stake, forming Petty GMS.
Legacy MC, as it is known today, was formed in early 2023 when Jimmie Johnson joined as a part owner. Now, the team, made up of teams that wanted to survive, has a chance to grow.
Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports reported that Legacy had an early interest in the charter.
If the team expanded to a third car, it would create an option for more long-term stability at Legacy MC—a chance to take a step in the right direction.
However, Legacy MC may want to hold off. The team has toiled to make progress since switching to Toyota earlier this season.
Maybe buying a charter now would be a bad call when, instead, they could focus on developing their team and buying later. The team can improve with Erik Jones, who is on a new contract, and John Hunter Nemechek, a proven talent.
However, taking too early of a step, like expanding, could make that long road to success a bit longer.
At one time, RFK Racing looked on the outside looking in, having fallen off from the team that once put five drivers into the NASCAR Chase. However, one last gift from Roush Fenway’s developmental program, Chris Buescher, alongside new part-owner Brad Keselowski, has revived the team.
Fans thought that the team was outside looking in on expansion. However, Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal reported earlier this month that if JTG Daughtery Racing sponsor Kroger moved its efforts to RFK, the team could be in store for a third car.
While expansion is fun, and RFK would have sponsorship in this scenario, the free-agent market isn’t the best. Subsequently, RFK has not developed, while Ford’s development needs to be improved.
The team would likely have to take a stable rather than a groundbreaking driver like Ryan Preece or Harrison Burton. If the team were to expand, it might be worth expanding down a level rather than adding a charter.
As Brad Keselowski cannot race forever, the team would have to replace him one day. An additional charter may not be the best use of resources. The future is bright for RFK, but maybe the future should still be the focus rather than the present.
23XI owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin have made the slow yet steady climb to the mountain top. The team, not even five years old, has the leader in points and one of the best superspeedway drivers on the track week in and week out.
The team has seen the benefits of Wallace and Reddick and received rich sponsorship from brands like Monster, McDonalds, and Columbia. Now, the team is ready to step up once again.
Fans and insiders have tied 23XI to the last charter, and rightfully so.
23XI is making great progress on the track. They have a new, top-of-the-line headquarters known as “Airspeed.” The team also benefits from the plentiful TRD development ladder.
Drivers like Corey Heim, Chandler Smith, and William Sawalich have raced well in their respective series. Outside options like Riley Herbst could also fill the car.
23XI is the team most prepared to buy a charter. The only hesitation the team could have is the ongoing charter negotiations, of which Hamlin has been outspoken.
While waiting is understandable, 23XI must move before another team leaps at expansion.
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