A report indicates John Hunter Nemechek could be out at Legacy Motor Club and a hot free agent could replace him.
STATESVILLE, N.C. — A report indicates John Hunter Nemechek could be out at Legacy Motor Club and a hot free agent could replace him.
The Jimmie Johnson-owned NASCAR Cup Series organization is reportedly set to replace Nemechek with Josh Berry, a report stated Tuesday. This comes after Legacy Motor Club reportedly signed Nemechek for 2027, even revealing a scheme for him next year.
However, the report indicates the team has doubled back on that.
"Johnson has maintained that he wants to build Legacy into a consistently competitive team and it is this thinking that was behind the decision to move on from Nemechek, those sources said," the report stated.
If the move comes true, this would be a saving grace for Berry. In June, Wood Brothers Racing chose to not exercise his option for 2027 after the current driver of the famed, red-and-white No. 21 Ford struggled to start the season. However, a recent turnaround and historic run of top-10 finishes for NASCAR's oldest team has raised his stock.
Legacy would be Berry's third team in four years. After Stewart-Haas Racing brought him to Cup and then shut down in 2024, he joined Wood Brothers Racing in 2025. Just five races into his tenure with them, he scored a win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Nemechek is six years younger than Berry but he hasn't won a Cup Series race yet. Although he has led more laps than teammate Erik Jones in recent years and matched his performance in 2025, Nemechek has been more inconsistent than Jones every other year:
| Driver | 2024 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Erik Jones | - 17 lead-lap finishes in 34 races- Average finish: 22.9- Points finish: 28th | - Two top-five finishes, five top-10 finishes in 36 races- Average finish: 19.9- Points rank: 21st- 15 lead-lap finishes |
| John Hunter Nemechek | - 12 lead-lap finishes in 36 races- Average finish: 25.4- Points finish: 34th | - One top-five finish, two top-10 finishes in 36 races- Average finish: 22.1- Points rank: 27th- 10 lead-lap finishes |
Nemechek has also drawn the ire of drivers, such as Kyle Larson, who reacted sharply over the radio to on-track incidents with him.
There's no word on where Nemechek may go, if Legacy signs Berry.
Nemechek has 11 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series wins and 13 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series wins. He made the Chase in all six of his lower series seasons for points, including a NOAPS Championship Four appearance in 2023 and an NCTS Championship Four appearance in 2021.
Landing spots that could be open in NCTS racing could include Front Row Motorsports' No. 38 truck, Halmar-Friesen Racing and TRICON Garage, given the free agent climate and Nemechek's connections.
NOAPS rides, at least competitive ones, are more limited. Nemechek has raced for Sam Hunt Racing, which is a team that has an open ride for 2027.
There is nothing confirmed so far.
