Report: Legacy Motor Club to Replace Nemechek with Berry
According to a report from The Athletic's Jordan Bianchi, Legacy Motor Club will not retain John Hunter Nemechek for the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season, and Josh Berry is the leading candidate to replace him in the No. 42 Toyota. The report, carried by multiple outlets, indicates that Nemechek, who had agreed to terms of a contract extension to remain with the team for 2027, was informed on Monday that the team would be going in a different direction.
Nemechek's Tenure and Struggles
Nemechek joined Legacy in 2024 for his second full-time Cup season, after working his way back through the Truck and O'Reilly Series from 2021 to 2023. Across 139 career Cup starts, he has yet to win a race and has never finished better than 25th in the final standings. He finished 25th in the championship standings in 2025, a season in which he set career highs with two top-five finishes and eight top-10s, including a late-season surge that led to expectations of a potential Chase contender in 2026.
However, those expectations have not materialized. Through the first 26 races of 2026, Nemechek sits 27th in the standings, with just one top-five finish and two top-10s. His teammate Erik Jones, by comparison, has two top fives and five top-10s this season, and his 2025 performance trailed Nemechek's with two top fives and eight top-10s. Sports Illustrated noted that Nemechek has never been higher than 18th in the standings this season, a position he held after the first two races.
Berry's Hot Streak and Availability
Josh Berry, in his third Cup Series season, has been one of the surging drivers of the 2026 campaign. He has recorded five consecutive top-10 finishes, a streak not achieved by a Wood Brothers Racing driver since Morgan Shepherd in 1994, as reported by Sports Illustrated. Berry's run includes a season-high 73 laps led at New Hampshire, where he finished third, according to Heavy.
Berry's availability stems from Wood Brothers Racing's decision to replace him at season's end with 2025 O'Reilly Auto Parts Series champion Jesse Love. Berry revealed in June that he would not return to Wood Brothers next season, and with the team opting for Love, Berry has been searching for a ride.
Heavy characterized Berry as driving "as if his career depends on it," noting his rise through the late model ranks under Dale Earnhardt 's guidance. Berry won at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last season, his first Cup victory, though he has struggled at times, particularly early in 2026.
Legacy Motor Club's Expansion and Future Plans
Legacy Motor Club, led by principal owner and seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, is set to expand from two to three full-time cars in 2027, following the purchase of a Rick Ware Racing charter. The team's ownership group includes Darius Rucker, Guy Fieri, Bryce Harper, and Andy Roddick, according to Sports Illustrated.
According to Heavy, Berry is expected to be the No. 2 driver alongside Erik Jones, who will return in 2027. The third car is expected to be driven by Riley Herbst, who currently has three top-10s in 2026 and sits 26th in the standings. Heavy also reported that Herbst would bring sponsorship from Monster Energy to the new entry.
Analysis of the Potential Move
Sports Illustrated framed the reported decision as a response to Nemechek's "mediocre results" and a desire to "shake things up" after three years of mostly down results. Yardbarker described Nemechek's tenure as "mostly stagnant" and suggested that Berry would be "a perfect fit" alongside Jones, who has shown the organization can win.
Berry's recent form has made him a compelling candidate. As Yardbarker noted, his "scrappy veteran" approach could help Legacy establish itself in the Cup Series hierarchy. However, both outlets acknowledged that Legacy may not yet be a destination where Berry can contend for wins or a championship on a consistent basis.
Neither Nemechek nor Legacy Motor Club has publicly commented on the report as of this writing, and the team has not confirmed Berry's hiring. The Athletic's report remains the primary source for the planned driver change.