John Hunter Nemechek joining Legacy Motor Club for 2024 Cup Series season

John Hunter Nemechek will make his return to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2024.

Nemechek took to YouTube Wednesday to announce he’s joining Legacy Motor Club, the race team co-owned by seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson. He will man the wheel of the No. 42 Toyota, previously driven by Noah Gragson until NASCAR suspended him indefinitely for liking a racially insensitive social media post.

Introducing the driver of the No. 42 for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB in 2024: John Hunter Nemechek pic.twitter.com/0enTFbxmyy

— LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (@LegacyMotorclub) September 6, 2023

“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 in a statement. “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.”

Nemechek, 26, currently sits second in the Xfinity Series points standings, driving the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. He has compiled five wins, 18 top 10s and 12 top 5s in 25 races this season.

“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,” Johnson said. “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.”

John Hunter Nemechek earns another shot in NASCAR Cup Series

Nemechek’s first ride in the Cup Series came in 2020, driving the No. 38 Ford for Front Row Motorsports. Following a 27th place finish in the points standings, Nemechek parted ways with the race team. He signed with Kyle Busch Motorsports for the 2021 Craftsman Truck Series season, where he competed in for two seasons, winning seven races. Joe Gibbs Racing promoted Nemechek to the Xfinity Series ahead of the 2023 season.

“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,” Nemechek said. “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.”