In NASCAR, success isn’t just about speed—it’s about legacy. The sport has seen many owners come and go, but only a few have left a lasting mark. Among them, Rick Hendrick stands as the gold standard. Every new team owner stepping into the garage wants to replicate his formula. Kaulig Racing’s Matt Kaulig is one of them. Way back in 2022, Kaulig had revealed his aspiration to be like traditional team owners. “These longtime owners, they’ve been great, and I aspire to be like them,” Kaulig said.

His words reflect the admiration many up-and-coming owners have for the established giants of the sport. But admiration alone won’t be enough. NASCAR is changing. The landscape isn’t what it used to be when Hendrick built his empire. As the new team owners are bringing fresh perspectives and strategies, Hendrick is very impressed with them. In a recent media interaction, the NASCAR Hall of Famer revealed that the sport’s future is bright.

Rick Hendrick is proud of his ‘students’!

In the last few years, NASCAR has seen a huge influx of young team owners. Drivers like Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, and Brad Keselowski increased their stakes in the sport by owning stakes in different teams. While this has increased the competition on the track, Rick Hendrick isn’t worried about losing his place at the top. After dominating the 2025 Daytona 500, Hendrick praised young team owners for their efforts.

“If you look at the future of the sport, you look at Jimmie, you look at Jeff (Dickerson of Spire Motorsports), you look at Dale, you look at Brad (Keselowski of RFK Racing), and you look at those kinds of guys who are sticking their necks out to build something—that’s good for the sport,” said Hendricks. While Hendrick remains confident in his team’s dominance, the new owners are quickly proving they can compete.

At the 2025 Daytona 500, Jimmie Johnson’s Legacy Motor Club had its best performance in years, with Johnson finishing third and John Hunter Nemechek taking fifth. Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports also debuted in the Cup Series that same weekend. 2024 Xfinity series champion Justin Allgaier secured a ninth-place finish after fighting his way into the race through the Duel qualifiers. Notably, JR Motorsports is a well-established name in the Xfinity series with multiple victories.

It won’t be wrong to say that Rick Hendrick sees these drivers-turned-owners carrying forward his legacy. Notably, Jimmie Johnson won seven Cup series titles driving for Hendrick Motorsports. Dale Earnhardt Jr. spent the final decade of his career under Hendrick’s banner. Now, both are team owners trying to find success in NASCAR. While Johnson’s LMC is a full-time competitor in the Cup series, Hendrick believes that Dale Jr.’s entry isn’t far away.

Hendrick, who has a deep connection with JR Motorsports, believes the team’s Daytona debut could be a turning point. “I think this is going to fuel them to want to do it. I’ve never seen Dale this excited, and I think this will lead to something,” Hendrick said after the race. However, two-time Daytona 500 winner Dale Jr. has some other plans. While he wishes to join the cup series, he has been hesitant to invest a huge sum.

“I would love to be in the Cup Series full-time, but I need the right partner. I want someone who I can work with like an old friend. In the past, we’ve had deals fall through because the chemistry wasn’t there,” Dale Jr. said on his podcast. Notably, a partnership like Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan at 23XI Racing could be Dale’s dream collaboration. While Dale Jr.’s Cup plans are uncertain, Jimmie Johnson has revealed his future expansion plans.

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Jimmie Johnson’s ambitious expansion plans!

Jimmie Johnson’s transition from legendary driver to team owner has been anything but ordinary. After struggling in his first two years with Legacy Motor Club, the seven-time champion has found new momentum. His team’s switch from Chevrolet to Toyota came with growing pains, but a strong showing at the Daytona 500 suggests that they are turning a corner. However, Johnson’s ambitions extend beyond the NASCAR Cup Series.

During the 24 Hours of Daytona broadcast, Johnson hinted at a broader vision for Legacy Motor Club. “We’re keeping an open eye for new opportunities. There’s a lot of potential for expansion,” said Johnson. The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion is now the majority stakeholder in LMC, and his comments suggest that the team is planning to expand. His recent trip to London only fuelled this speculation.

London is a major hub for motorsports, as many Formula 1 teams have their base in the city. Considering F1’s growth in the United States, Johnson would be keen to make a move into the sport. Notably, Johnson has been vocal about his admiration for Trackhouse Racing’s growth model. Trackhouse has successfully expanded beyond NASCAR, entering MotoGP and endurance racing.

Johnson sees a similar path for Legacy Motor Club. With financial backing from Knighthead Capital Management, which also supports the Jota team in the World Endurance Championship, his team could soon step onto the global stage. For now, Johnson’s primary focus remains on stabilizing his NASCAR program. The team’s switch to Toyota was a significant change, and 2025 will be a crucial year for development.