Weeks After Tragedy Stuck Grieving Jimmie Johnson, Major Change in His NASCAR Team Gets Fans’ Scrutiny

Legacy Motor Club has been weathering the storm for some time now. In fact, even their current standings do not offer much solace, with Eric Jones holding on at 28th place and Noah Gragson in 33rd. Though Jones sparkled at Pocono Raceway, finishing 9th, Gragson languished in 22nd. Prior to this, the team faced a setback as co-owner Jimmie Johnson had to step away from competing, grappling with a family tragedy.

Amidst the hurdles, the team has boldly taken a leap of faith, perhaps in pursuit of greener pastures, which has undoubtedly turned heads in the NASCAR community. It’s now the subject of fervent debate, with some considering it a stroke of brilliance while others question if it’s the team’s worst move yet.

What change has Jimmie Johnson’s team implemented?

Following the harrowing family tragedy that affected Legacy Motor Club’s co-owner and part-time racer, Jimmie Johnson, wherein the bodies of his in-laws, Jack and Terry Janway, and their 11-year-old grandson, Dalton Janway, were discovered, the driver decided to take a break from competing in any Cup Series races, seeking privacy and declining to address any related inquiries.

However, now it appears Jimmie Johnson is returning to the business and the racing world.

Along with Maury Gallagher, he has revealed that Cal Wells III will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer of Legacy Motor Club (LMC). The team officially shared this news through a press release, and Wells, a 68-year-old former owner of the NASCAR Cup and open-wheel racing team PPI Motorsports, has already assumed his new role.

Having previously served as a consultant to Legacy Motor Club, Wells expressed his excitement about joining the team as CEO. He stated, “I am truly honored and excited to be part of Legacy Motor Club. Together, we will build on the strong foundation and accomplishments of the past while driving forward with renewed focus and collaboration. The future performance of all facets of this club will be something we will all be proud of for years to come. It’s going to be something special.”

However, with the decision now made public, NASCAR fans have begun closely examining LMC’s move, anticipating the impact it will have on the team’s future endeavors.

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Fans ask if Cal Wells III has ever won a cup

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NASCAR fans wasted no time in researching Cal Wells’ racing background and raising concerns about the organization’s choice as soon as the news of his appointment as the new CEO of Legacy Motor Club (LMC) became public.

Fans swiftly took to Twitter, sharing their thoughts and reactions to the news. While some fans supported the decision, citing Wells’ long-standing association with Toyota, others questioned LMC’s choice to hire someone with a questionable track record. A few even mentioned that he took away sponsorships from established teams, leading to the closure of some shops. Here are a few comments reflecting NASCAR fans’ sentiments:

“Did he ever win in cup”

“Never did like him. He came into Nascar & took sponsorship away from other established teams & only lasted a few years. One of the teams closed their shop because of him taking sponsorship.”

“I was wondering what Cal was up to after 2006”

“They hired a guy that didn’t run well/ consistent and eventually went out of business as their ceo? I thought they were trying to improve”

“A lot of people don’t realize that Cal has had a great relationship with Toyota for four decades. This move makes a lot of sense.”

Jimmie Johnson is convinced that Cal Wells is the ideal candidate for the position, and he eagerly anticipates the transformative impact of his mentorship on the organization, propelling it to unprecedented levels of success. However, only time will tell whether the decision to appoint Cal Wells as the CEO of a team currently facing challenges will prove to be a wise one.

Read More: Rick Hendrick, Former Teammate Jenson Button & Others React as Jimmie Johnson Suffers Horrific Tragedy