Jimmie Johnson has returned to the NASCAR Cup Series after two years of racing in the NTT IndyCar Series. Johnson, 47, stepped away from full-time racing in the Cup Series after the 2020 season.
The former Hendrick Motorsports driver purchased an ownership stake in Legacy Motor Club, previously known as Petty GMS Motorsports, and will drive the No. 84 car in select events. Johnson ran the 2023 Daytona 500 and performed well until a wreck left him with a 31st-place finish.
However, there was news surrounding Johnson’s ownership role within Legacy Motor Club before the Great American Race as Richard Petty talked about the seven-time champion’s role with the race team.
Related: Jimmie Johnson discusses why he chose the No. 84 as his new NASCAR number
Jimmie Johnson ‘disappointed’ as Richard Petty takes his frustration to the public world
Petty, a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, used to run Richard Petty Motorsports for over one decade before a merger with GMS Racing occurred for the 2022 season. Then, it was renamed Petty GMS Motorsports.
This only stayed in place for one season before Johnson joined the party. The name was then changed to Legacy Motor Club. Throughout this entire process, Petty’s role within the organization has changed.
The seven-time Cup Series champion is no longer an owner of Legacy Motor Club after selling his shares to Maury Gallagher before the 2022 season. Now, Petty is now a “chief ambassador” for the organization.
During a media availability before the 2023 Daytona 500, Petty was asked if Johnson and his team being in charge of the major decisions within the organization bothered him. Well, he did not stay quiet about the subject.
“Yes, it does. Because I’ve done things my way, which hasn’t been too good lately, but as time progresses, things change in the world. Then it probably was time for a change…Most of the time, I ran the majority of the show. (Jimmie Johnson) brought all his people in. His way of running things and my way of running things are probably a little bit different. We probably agree on about 50% of what it really comes down to.”
Richard Petty on whether Jimmie Johnson making the major decisions bothers him
That might not have been what many expected when the question was asked but it is clear that Petty is bothered by the subject. It may not come as a surprise since Johnson is two of three Cup Series champions and is widely regarded as the best NASCAR driver of all time.
Johnson was interviewed by the Associated Press’ Dan Gelston and said he was “disappointed to hear and read through the press that (Richard Petty)’s feelings were bruised.” The minority owner of Legacy Motor Club continued with his comments.
“(Richard Petty) has not expressed them to me, for starters. Honestly, there are a lot of moving pieces to this. There are business decisions that are taking place between Mr. Gallagher and the Petty family before I ever arrived. Those are details that are just not my place to say. But a lot of what Richard is speaking to is based on business decisions that he and his family have made and they aren’t relative to my involvement.”
Jimmie Johnson on Richard Petty’s comments about the situation
It is fair to say that Johnson was surprised that Petty would air out his feelings in the public world rather than express them privately. He has a right to be upset because there was no point in publicly stating his frustrations.
Petty’s comments only create further questions about the dynamic within Legacy Motor Club. In the end, Petty is right in saying it was probably time for a change. The organization was not running up to its expectations.
Johnson will bring a new plethora of ideas to the table and time will tell whether his involvement within the race team can help put them back on the map as contenders in the Cup Series.