John Hunter Nemechek didn't expect Cup Series opportunity with Legacy Motor Club

In 2024, John Hunter Nemechek is making his return to the Cup Series with Legacy Motor Club as they make their transition to Toyota. This was not a decision that came lightly. Nemechek flamed out of the NASCAR Cup Series in his first go. Since then, he has rebuilt himself, going to the Truck Series and now the Xfinity Series.

With his timeline in mind for what he wanted to accomplish, and when he wanted to make that move back to the Cup Series, John Hunter Nemechek did not see this as his path. He fully expected to run it back in Xfinity. Plus, Legacy Motor Club is (was?) a Chevy team, and they had two drivers up until Noah Gragson’s departure earlier this season.

In the last few weeks, things changed. Nemechek realized that this could be his way of finishing what he set out to do. Make it back to the Cup Series and show that you can compete with the best of the best.

Talking with Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports ahead of the Kansas weekend, Nemechek talked about the decision. He had to speak to several people. There was a lot of reflection.

Legacy Motor Club is going to Toyota next year and will get a chance to start over. JHN is getting a chance to start over.

John Hunter Nemechek on weighing returning to Cup at Legacy Motor Club versus remaining in Xfinity with Joe Gibbs Racing. Also what he said about a crew chief for next year and what he can do the rest of this year to get ready: pic.twitter.com/iHOesueIRO

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 8, 2023

In that 2020 season with Front Row Motorsports, John Hunter Nemechek showed flashes. However, he never got himself in a position that he needed to be in. He earned two top-10 finishes at Talladega, and another at Darlington that season. However, a 27th-place finish in the points was not what he had in mind.

So, he got back to work. First in the Truck Series and then this season, back to Xfinity. It has made all the difference.

Jimmie Johnson on John Hunter Nemechek

Of course, joining Legacy means that John Hunter Nemechek will learn under Jimmie Johnson, seven-time champion. That is invaluable for any driver who is involved with that organization. Having the leadership that this team has will only lead to good things in the future.

Being the third Toyota team is also going to help. There will be eight Toyotas next season on the track with JGR and 23XI. Regardless of Nemecheks’ shortcomings in the past, Johnson is ready to have him join the team.

“It really was kind of a reach for us. We weren’t sure if he would be available, due to his relationship with JGR and some things there, that were kind of developing and changing. You know, he thought there was going to be a Cup ride opportunity there for him. There was not,” explained Johnson. “So you know, as things kind of evolved over the last four-to-six weeks, the opportunity really came about, and we just truly feel like John Hunter is primed and ready to go Cup racing.”

John Hunter Nemechek is still chasing an Xfinity Series championship. However, he has a busy 2024 waiting for him whenever this season does come to an end.