Legacy Motor Club has announced it will end its partnership with John Hunter Nemechek after the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, removing him from the No. 42 Toyota despite earlier signs that both sides planned to continue together in 2027.
The decision leaves the 29-year-old searching for another opportunity and creates a big opening in NASCAR’s otherwise quiet driver market.
Rexel USA announced an expanded sponsorship agreement in May and specifically identified Nemechek as its driver for multiple races next season. Nemechek also expressed excitement about representing the company during that campaign, suggesting he expected to remain with the organization.
Legacy thanked Nemechek for his professionalism and contributions while emphasizing its intention to finish the final 10 races strongly. The team did not explain the change in direction and did not identify his replacement.
Nemechek responded with disappointment but avoided criticizing the organization. “I am incredibly grateful to Legacy Motor Club for the past three years. While I am obviously disappointed with their decision, I am as motivated as ever,” Nemechek said.
— John Hunter Nemechek (@JHNemechek) September 2, 2026
“It has been such an honor to represent Toyota, Legacy Motor Club and all of their sponsors. I can’t wait to continue this journey, as I know my best days are ahead.”
He also thanked Tyler Gibbs, Jack Irving, Pye-Barker, his JHN Autosports team and others who supported him through difficult periods. For now, he intends to spend time with his family, complete the season and determine his next move.
John Hunter Nemechek’s Cup results failed to match his lower-series success
Nemechek joined Legacy as a full-time driver in 2024 after rebuilding his career in NASCAR’s lower divisions. He recorded four top-10 finishes during his first season in the No. 42 before improving to two top-fives and eight top-10s in 2025.
But that progress stalled this year. Through the 26-race regular season, Nemechek produced a fourth-place result at Pocono and finished 10th at Watkins Glen, leaving him 27th in the standings and outside the Chase. He still seeks his first win after 139 Cup starts.
His O’Reilly Auto Parts and Craftsman Truck Series records show a much different picture, though. Nemechek has collected 11 wins in NASCAR’s second-tier division and 13 in Trucks. He also bagged the 2021 Truck regular-season championship and earned that series’ Most Popular Driver award in 2015.
Nemechek first competed full-time in the Cup Series with Front Row Motorsports in 2020. He voluntarily returned to Trucks one year later and won five races with Kyle Busch Motorsports, then moved to Joe Gibbs Racing’s O’Reilly program and scored seven wins in 2023.
That resurgence earned him another premier-series opportunity, but Legacy’s latest decision now forces him to rebuild his path again.
Josh Berry could be the leading candidate
Legacy has not publicly selected its next No. 42 driver, but several reports identify Josh Berry as the leading candidate. Wood Brothers Racing already chose reigning O’Reilly champion Jesse Love to replace Berry in the No. 21 Ford next year.
Berry has entered the discussion with one Cup victory and a career-best streak of five consecutive top-10 finishes. His availability will give Legacy an experienced option as the team prepares to expand from two full-time entries to three in 2027.
Jimmie Johnson confirmed that expansion in March, while Erik Jones continues to anchor the No. 43 program. Meanwhile, Nemechek still has the closing stretch of 2026 to strengthen his case for another ride.