Legacy Motor Club and Rick Ware Racing reached a joint agreement on Friday (Sept. 19) to sell and transfer RWR’s charter to Legacy.
Legacy obtains its third team charter as part of an ongoing lawsuit with RWR.
“Reaching a positive outcome was important for everyone involved,” Legacy Motor Club owner Jimmie Johnson said. “I truly respect the effort put forth by Robby Benton and Rick Ware to reach a settlement so we may all focus on our business operations and future goals. I’m glad this is behind us and we can all move forward in unison.”
“I met with both Jimmie (Johnson) and Cal Wells recently and we came to an agreement to sell and transfer a charter from RWR to LEGACY MOTOR CLUB,” Rick Ware said. “I believe we landed in a mutually beneficial place for both teams and the result will be a clear path forward for us all. I look forward to putting all of our focus on finishing the 2025 season strong.”
Legacy had previously sued RWR in April with Legacy claiming that RWR had sold them their series charter.
RWR had allegedly backed out of Legacy’s agreement and was looking to sell its team to former Spire owners Jeff Dickerson and TJ Puchyr.
Legacy, who sued Puchyr, was granted a preliminary injunction in August which blocked the sale of RWR.
Today, Legacy obtains its third series charter on a team that currently fields two cars in the No. 42 of John Hunter Nemechek and No. 43 of Erik Jones.
RWR currently fields one car.
RFK Racing is set to again lease a charter next year from RWR, per Bob Pockrass.
It seems to me that Corey Heim would be the obvious choice for a third car at Legacy. I think he has a contract with 23XI, but considering their lawsuit with NASCAR they may not even be around next year. I have to think a guaranteed seat at Legacy would be more appealing than the uncertainty at 23XI right now? His close ties to Toyota make him a good fit at Legacy too.
Though I’m not much of a Suarez fan, he may still have ties to Toyota and might bring some sponsorship with him?
After years of a glut of prospects at Toyota, their well of drivers in the lower series has dried up a little lately. William Sawalich is probably still a year away from being ready for Cup, and I don’t see much upside for Brandon Jones now or in the future. Connor Zilisch would be a no brainer, if he can be gotten away from Chevrolet/Hendrick/JR Motorsports.
Then there’s Reddick. I have to believe Toyota wouldn’t want to see him leave for Chevrolet or Ford if 23XI fails to prevail in the suit against NASCAR. Of the three 23XI drivers, Reddick is the one most likely to be protected by Toyota, and Legacy will have the only open seat if 23XI folds.
But if 23XI and FRM don’t exist next year you’ve also got Reddick, Wallace, and the others looking for work as well. Personally, Zane Smith appears to be the potential ‘jewel’. Wallace’s demeanor and Reddick’s lethargy may make Heim or Smith a better bet. I expected more of Sawalich in a JGR Xfinity car. Next year will be put up or shut up because Brent Crews is the next Toyota “shiny penny”. Reddick has likely burned the bridge at Chevrolet when he left RCR.