After $233 Billion Move Paved Way for Joe Gibbs Setback, Jimmie Johnson Left Emotional Over Historical Rick Hendrick Partnership

‘After the rain comes the rainbow’, is a common saying that instills hope for a forlorn and heartbroken individual. However, the recent scenario in the NASCAR paddock seems to redefine this adage, especially for Legacy Motor Club. After a series of setbacks and undergoing multiple rebranding, the team is finally on the verge of making a turnaround. 

Very few drivers in the world of NASCAR have been able to stumble on the tracks and create an eternal legacy as Jimmie Johnson has carved. While words fall short of elucidating the 7x Cup Series champion’s contribution to the sport, Johnson made sure that his hunger did not reach a saturation point after hanging his helmet and hence the shift from a driver to team owner. On account of this, it is evident that Johnson is ready to write the next chapter of his racing career after making a big leap and reminiscing about the good old days.

Jimmie Johnson finally sees the light at the end of the tunnel after a year of turmoil

The hope of creating a mark in the ongoing season of the Cup Series was marked by a series of setbacks for Legacy Motor Club. Moreover, to ensure the comeback of the team, LMC announced the shift from Chevrolet to Toyota for the upcoming season. However, the hopes of delivering favorable results waned. Whether in terms of performance or drivers suffering from concussions and being sidelined from races, the damages that the team suffered were humongous. However, the team limped forward hoping for a rebound, but everything crumbled down, as the team suffered from one last heavy blow.

Their rookie driver, Noah Gragson, was suspended for an indefinite period of time by NASCAR for his social media activities, which later was followed by the termination of the contract by Gragson. Being left with a permanent driver for the No.42 in the remaining races, the car was piloted by various drivers, including Josh Berry and Mike Rockenfeller. However, the question that bugged co-owner Jimmie Johnson was; ‘Who shall drive the No.42 for the next season?’ 

A plethora of names cropped up including Truck Series driver Carson Hocevar and Xfinity driver John Hunter Nemechek. Although it was speculated that Nemechek, who is a championship contender in the second tier of the NASCAR series and drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, was the suitable replacement for the JGR team in Cup Series after one of the drivers chose to retire. However, the team’s manufacturer, Toyota was determined to not let go of the young prodigy.

In order to lift the title of a substitute driver for the Cup Series and deliver a setback to JGR, the $233 billion worth manufacturer shook hands with Johnson, who was in dire need of a driver and signed Nemechek for the next and the upcoming seasons. The news surely came as a surprise to the NASCAR world.

Nevertheless, speaking to FOX, Johnson expressed a nostalgic tone of his time with Hendrick Motorsports, “There are many reasons that can go into it and John Hunter and I were discussing a few things today what primarily my age and how old I am. My moment was like this in 2000 when we announced Hendrick Motorsports. Shane and I were having lunch today and talking about how exciting today is and what John Hunter must be going through[…]”

Watch This Story: Denny Hamlin Accuses Joe Gibbs Grandson Of Invoking Dale Earnhardt’s Tragedy on Ryan Blaney 

A proud Jimmie Johnson sets the benchmark high for the rookie driver

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A proud and jubilant Jimmie Johnson, continuing on the same lines, stated, “I think what he has done in recent years, stepping back and now stepping forward, the support he has within Toyota, what he has been doing behind the wheel. And also what he has been doing outside of the race car from a business perspective that is required now, so buttoned up and professional.”

“I think he is a perfect fit for Legacy Motor Club and John Hunter pointed out things, really moved quickly here in the last few weeks and we are so happy to have him on board and really look forward to him helping us grow.”

With the 2024 Cup Series already in sight, and gearing up to house a new driver along with a new manufacturer, it will be interesting to see how this rookie driver fares among the veterans, will he be able to translate his past performances in the Cup Series?

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