Legacy Motor Club made a huge call last year when they decided to switch their OEM partners from Chevrolet to Toyota. The reason cited by the higher-ups at LMC was that they felt second fiddle to the likes of Hendrick Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing. Joe Gibbs Racing was the only Tier 1 partner for TRD; therefore, it seemed like a sensible option for Jimmie Johnson and Co.

However, if we are to go by their on-track performances in 2024, it feels like they might have shot themselves in the foot. Both the entries for the team led by Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek have hit a brick wall in getting the most out of the race cars. Despite their recent woes, Jones believes that this new partnership will deliver. And this new partnership’s potential influenced his move to sign an extension with the team.

Legacy Motor Club and Toyota partnership will hit their stride soon, says Jones

Jimmie Johnson and his team have opted for a tough path with their new partners. You might have seen the likes of 23XI Racing and Trackhouse Racing hit the ground running being newcomers. But that is possible because they have a technical partnership with powerhouse teams like JGR and RCR.

Now, these alliances don’t come cheap, as the teams have to shell out big bucks from their pockets to use the data and the resources. Legacy has decided to operate independently on their own, and therefore they are yet to find that formula that works for them on the racetrack. But going by Erik Jones’ words, the team is expected to overcome this lean patch in the next six months.

“I think the transition has been harder than we anticipated. We would all thought by this point we would be in a better spot than we are right now…I wouldn’t have resigned if we are going to continue to perform the way we are; it’s not what I’m interested in racing, right? I want to go out and run up front; we all do. In staying with Legacy, I think for me was just the fact that I do believe we’re going to improve.” Jones said this during the press meet ahead of the Southern 500.

Trailing close to the bottom of the points table than the top in 26th position, Jones’ season has been mired by different challenges. A back injury that he suffered at Talladega certainly hampered the progress he could’ve achieved with the No. 43 team. “Obviously it’s been a tough year for me with the injury; not that it put me way behind, but missing a couple of races isn’t great for the team; it isn’t great for me. You know getting comfortable again and change everything in the car isn’t easy,” Jones added.

But, despite the setbacks the driver and his team have faced this season, all of that could change with one win. And interestingly, Jones will fancy his chances in the regular season finale race, banking his past heroics at the Darlington Raceway.

Erik Jones could pull off a big upset in the Southern 500

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One win and you’re in—that’s the mantra a lot of teams and drivers are relying on coming into this weekend. It’s not just Jimmie Johnson and his team failing to hit their strides. The likes of Bubba Wallace, Ross Chastain, and even Kyle Busch have fired blanks so far. Inevitably, all of them are now banking on the last race of the regular season at Darlington, but they aren’t the only ones looking to race their way into the playoffs.

Jones, in his entire Cup racing career, has notched two wins to his name, and both have come at the track ‘too tough to tame.’ So while they have struggled to find any joy in their previous 25 attempts, the Southern 500 still provides them with a genuine shot to glory. “I mean, it’s been a long year, but if you told me to pick one track other than a superspeedway, I would probably pick Darlington to try to go win. So definitely some confidence in that,” Jones added.

What are your thoughts on LMC’s switch to Toyota, and will they return to winning ways anytime soon?