After Richard Petty, Jimmie Johnson Partners Up With Bitter Rival in War Against Rick Hendrick and HMS

NASCAR is no stranger to intense rivalries. But what happens when two former foes join forces to take on the giants of the sport? In a surprising turn of events, 7x Cup champion Jimmie Johnson is teaming up with his bitter rival in a bid to challenge the hegemony of Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet.

HMS, led by the indomitable Rick Hendrick, stands as a formidable powerhouse. However, Jimmie Johnson, the co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, has decided to take the fight straight to them. Earlier this year, Johnson’s team announced a significant shift. They would be leaving Chevrolet and moving to Toyota as their new manufacturer. This move came as a wild surprise because of Johnson’s decades-long association with Chevrolet and marked a bold step toward independence and competitiveness in the sport.

Jimmie Johnson partners with former rival to take the fight to Rick Hendrick and Co.

In a recent interview on Dirty Mo Media, Johnson shared his perspective on the future of NASCAR. Andrew Kurland told Jimmie Johnson about a conversation that happened between Denny Hamlin and Joe Gibbs a week prior. Joe Gibbs had recounted that he told Hamlin to stay away from the ownership role. He jokingly reasoned that the job is rather difficult compared to the exciting life of a driver. And when Kurland asked Johnson if he agreed with Joe Gibbs on this, he admitted, “Mr Hendrick has given me a hard time over this as well.”

He expressed his hopes that the New Media package and shared revenue would create opportunities for team owners to thrive. Johnson emphasized his commitment to growing the sport and acknowledged the influence a seven-time champion could have in shaping NASCAR’s future.

The bombshell dropped when Legacy Motor Club, a partnership between Jimmie Johnson and team ambassador Richard Petty, announced the addition of Matt Kenseth to their ranks as a competition advisor. Kenseth, a former NASCAR Cup Series champion and Hall of Famer, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the organization. In all likelihood, Kenseth will be instrumental in mentoring drivers Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek while assisting Legacy Motor Club during its transition to Toyota Racing for the 2024 season.

The partnership between Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth might seem surprising, given their history as fierce rivals on the racetrack. Kenseth and Johnson had numerous battles for race wins and championships over the years. Their rivalry added a layer of excitement to NASCAR during their respective primes.

LMC announced their new Competition Advisor on Tuesday in a social media post that read: “Announcing our Competition Advisor, Matt Kenseth! He is joining the Club effective immediately. Welcome 🤩”

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As Legacy Motor Club unveiled its new alliance with Matt Kenseth, fans wasted no time in expressing their excitement and support. Congratulatory messages poured in from NASCAR enthusiasts across the nation, thrilled by the prospect of this dynamic partnership.

“What a boss move”: Johnson and LMC’s move evokes both surprise and hope

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The community took to social media to voice its opinions, with one fan remarking, “Jimmie really went and hired one of his biggest rivals, what a boss move.” Others reminisced about their fondness for Kenseth during his racing career and eagerly anticipated the impact he would have on the team. “I grew up a Kenseth fan then when he retired @erik_jones became my favorite! @legacy.motorclub continues to impress with the moves they’re making!”

One fan offered his advice, “You need Carl Edwards in there at some capacity as well. Building a powerhouse for sure. Welcome Matt!!” Also, one fan summed up the sentiment, “Being a lifetime JJ fan brought me here, and now adding Kenseth makes me happy. Love this for the organization.”

The partnership between these two icons promises excitement, competition, and a fresh perspective on the future of NASCAR. In the quest to challenge the giants of Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing, Legacy Motor Club is assembling a formidable team.

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