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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 29: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Carvana Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, looks on during practice for NTT IndyCar Series Gallagher Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 29, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 29: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Carvana Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, looks on during practice for NTT IndyCar Series Gallagher Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 29, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
The 2022 season had its share of good news and bad news. But the season, surely, ended on a high with the announcement Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson made together. A return of one 7-timer in collaboration with another.
Returning to a part-time owner, part-time driver role, fans were convinced the 2023 season would have an added incentive for them. But that incentive could have lost some of its sheens with the most recent announcement made by the team.
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A few days earlier, the team had left Twitter in limbo when it posted a tweet. The “Save the Date” tweet had fans puzzled about what was incoming on January 11. Finally, the mystery was solved as Petty GMS announced a change of name for the historic team.
Save the date 🗓️ pic.twitter.com/9ofoBHkFbn
— LEGACY Motor Club (@PettyGMS) January 9, 2023
NBC reported The King’s statement on the change: “As we were all talking about creating a new name for the team, we looked at Jimmie, myself, and Dale Inman – that’s 22 championships – so there couldn’t be a better name to fit our race team than Legacy. The “Motor Club” is a perfect fit because we want our fans to pull for the whole team.”
“When I see the No. 42 & 43 cars, no matter who the driver was, is currently, or could be in the future, I want our fans to remember the Petty history that comes with them, and that history will continue to be made with Legacy M.C.”
Although a renaming doesn’t change the substance of the team, there’s a lot of history attached to the Petty name that will surely be missed.
Fans are going to miss seeing the Petty name
The announcement left social media and NASCAR fans buzzing. Legacy Motor Club, as the team would be called, would now be replacing the storied Petty name. Jimmie Johnson will continue with the team, racing in the #84 car in 2023. But for fans, this change is massive.
Ouch….gonna miss seeing and hearing “Petty” ….yeah progress https://t.co/yeGaaB2XyG
— Greg Horvath (@GregHo3) January 12, 2023
I have been a Petty Fan for forty nine years. I knew this day would come, but I'm not ready for it. Thank You for all you have done for racing, the fans & for all the great memories along the way!
Racing Will Never Be The Same Without The Petty Name! #42 #43
💙❤💙❤💙❤💙❤🏁 https://t.co/EhO50KOAG4— ReneeGS (@iamaracingnut) January 11, 2023
I’m grateful to see this is why you’re trending. I will always remember the Petty history, and watching it unfold with my dad. https://t.co/bAOiooXrNS
— ImNoLongerFreeAndEqual (@kswolfley) January 11, 2023
I must admit that I'm heart broken that the name "Petty" is no longer in the title. To me it will ALWAYS be Petty Enterprises just as it will ALWAYS be Winston Cup."Petty is part of NASCAR's DNA" starting with Lee Petty in #42. Just as the Wood Brothers are also part of the DNA. https://t.co/SaWsRXDwAg
— Terri Quinn (@taireocuinn) January 11, 2023
A lot of people are going to have a lot of opinions about the @PettyGMS name change, but the bottom line is this. @therichardpetty was … is … and always will be … The King of NASCAR. No longer having a team with his last name attached does NOT change that. At all. https://t.co/8zDqguKj3n
— The Scene Vault Podcast (@TheSceneVault) January 11, 2023
Without the Petty name, it’s just another team
— Eddie Wagner (@eddiewags14) January 11, 2023
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I always pull for the 43 no matter who drives it for just that reason. It makes me feel like a kid again when I would go berzerk when RP would make his move to the lead. No other sporting event ever topped that feeling for me.
— Ken Melchizadeck (@KMelchizadeck) January 12, 2023
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