Jimmie Johnson struggled in his first year as NASCAR team owner. Can he make Legacy a winner?
Associated PressDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth forged a deeper friendship bantering on all those punishing bicycle rides than they did as rivals on four wheels over their Hall of Fame NASCAR careers. Johnson gained an understanding of Kenseth’s often unassuming demeanor and the time, the effort and the workmanlike manner that all made him a Cup Series champion and two-time Daytona 500 winner. Toyota hopes deep ties to both fellow Legacy driver Erik Jones and Kenseth can accelerate the learning process in its first year as the team’s manufacturer, all while Johnson’s team goes at it alone without any technical alliances with other teams. But that’s what I think we’re really capable of.” The 48-year-old Johnson is back, of course, with a limited nine-race Cup Series schedule that was scheduled to start Sunday at the Daytona 500. If there were any lingering hard feelings over Petty’s comments, Johnson got over it and will drive a “Petty Blue” paint scheme at Daytona inspired by The King’s 1964 Daytona 500 victory.
History of this topic
Nemechek’s gamble to step back from Cup Series leads to 2024 promotion to drive for Jimmie Johnson
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John Hunter Nemechek to return to Cup Series next season in No. 42 for Legacy Motor Club
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Jimmie Johnson says he’s never felt more ill-prepared for a race entering Coca-Cola 600
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Dethroned King: Petty hurt as Johnson takes over race team
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