The puzzle pieces have aligned and John Hunter Nemechek is set for a return to the NASCAR Cup Series
John Hunter Nemechek has had an interesting career trajectory. In 2024, the driver is set to return to the top step of the NASCAR ladder after a new deal has been signed with Legacy Motor Club.
Nemechek previously ran full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series back in 2020. He drove for Front Row Motorsports, picking a career best of 8th, which he claimed twice.
John Hunter Nemechek departs Front Row Motorsports
For 2021 and 2022, Nemechek took several steps down the racing ladder. He returned to the NASCAR Truck Series in search of race wins and he grabbed 7 of them with Kyle Busch Motorsports.
For 2023, Kyle Busch signed with RCR in the Cup Series. With the change, Kyle Busch Motorsports made a switch from Toyota to Chevrolet. That also placed Nemechek back in the Xfinity Series with Joe Gibbs Racing and he’s already collected five wins this season.
For 2024, Legacy Motor Club will become the newest Toyota team. And a few weeks ago, the driver of the No. 42, Noah Gragson was suspended by NASCAR and suspended by Legacy MC. That progressed into Gragson being let go, opening up a seat for 2024.
Now, John Hunter Nemechek will drive the No. 42 full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for the 2024 season.
Noah Gragson released from Legacy Motor Club
John Hunter Nemechek comments
“To be able to announce my plans for next season so early and officially say I will be competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series relieves a lot of pressure,” Nemechek said.
“There is so much to be done for next year, and this gives us the opportunity to get the news out there and move forward. Also, driving for Maury (Gallagher), Jimmie (Johnson) and Richard Petty is a dream come true for me.”
“Going back to the Truck Series was humbling in a way, but it was the best thing I ever did for myself and my career,” said Nemechek.
The driver concluded, “I was able to compete for wins and two championships for KBM where we won races and were consistently one of the teams to beat week in and week out.”
Legacy Motor Club comments
“John Hunter has been around a racetrack literally since the day he was born,” LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s chief executive officer Cal Wells III said.
Wells added, “I have watched him since he was a little kid – from walking around the track in a firesuit matching the one worn by his father – to becoming the talent he is today. He is a perfect fit for the Club and I expect great things out of him.”
“We’re excited to have John Hunter in the LEGACY MOTOR CLUB family and I can’t wait to see what he can do in the No. 42 next season,” said Jimmie Johnson.
Johnson added, “He is impressive both on and off the track and will be a great ambassador for LEGACY M.C. and our partners. He will be a solid teammate to Erik (Jones) and I can’t wait to watch them both compete for wins and championships for years to come.”
Click here to see the meme that brought the Gragson suspension
