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Jimmie Johnson's Race Team, Legacy Motor Club, Sues Rick Ware Racing

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dalton Hopkins | Last updated Apr 2, 2025 2:37 PM ET

Legacy Motor Club, a NASCAR Cup Series team owned by seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson, has filed a lawsuit against Rick Ware Racing.

The two-car Cup team submitted a preliminary injunction in the Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court on April 1 as a result of a dispute regarding the sale of a charter from RWR to LMC. According to the court document, Legacy claims the two teams had come to an agreement over the sale of a Cup charter on March 3 earlier this year that would have seen the Toyota team acquire a third full-time team in 2026.

The documents states that Rick Ware Racing, by its own admission, claimed it was, "strapped for cash, and unable to compete at a Cup Series level," and needed to sell one of its two charters. However, Legacy claims that RWR is attempting to cancel the deal that had reportedly already been signed.

"Despite having a binding deal in place, RWR wants to back out," the court document filed by LMC stated. "It has told Legacy that it will not, under any circumstances, close the parties' transaction. Legacy has tried to talk sense into RWR, to no avail. Legacy's patience has run out. It now brings this suit to enforce its rights and hold RWR to its deal."

Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic has reported RWR believed the agreement made was for the charter sale to be completed for the 2027 season rather than 2026, which is why the one-car team is attempting to cancel the deal.

RWR currently fields one full-time car in the Cup Series driven by team owner Rick Ware's son, Cody Ware. The team has also fielded an additional part-time entry in two races so far in 2025 driven by Corey LaJoie. Its second charter is currently being leased by fellow Ford Cup team RFK Racing with its No. 60 entry driven by Ryan Preece.

Legacy's two full-time teams are driven by Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson, who has announced will run two races this year, finished third in the Daytona 500 in February.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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