Manufacturer: Toyota
Engine: Toyota Gazoo Racing North America
Driver-Crew Chief Pairings: John Hunter Nemechek-Travis Mack (No. 42); Erik Jones-Ben Beshore (No. 43)
Team Outlook: After weathering the challenges of their inaugural Toyota season in 2024, Legacy Motor Club enters 2025 with fresh optimism. The organization combines youthful talent in Nemechek with veteran experience in Jones, while new crew chief pairings could provide the spark needed for improved performance. Mack joins the team from Kaulig Racing to guide Nemechek, while Beshore and Jones look to build on their five-race partnership from late 2024.
JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK, NO. 42 TOYOTA
Experience: Two full seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series
2024 stats: 34th in final Cup Series standings; 0 wins, 0 top fives, 4 top 10s
2025 championship odds (DraftKings): 400-1
Outlook: Nemechek’s 2024 campaign showed promise with a career-best four top-10 finishes, though consistency remained elusive. The 27-year-old driver demonstrated particular strength at tracks like Bristol (sixth), New Hampshire (eighth), and Las Vegas (ninth), while also leading 16 laps at Indianapolis. The addition of Mack, who brings extensive experience from premier organizations like Hendrick Motorsports and Trackhouse Racing, could help Nemechek convert those flashes of speed into more consistent results in 2025.
ERIK JONES, NO. 43 TOYOTA
Experience: Eight full seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series
2024 stats: 28th in final Cup Series standings; 0 wins, 1 top five, 2 top 10s
2025 championship odds (DraftKings): 200-1
Outlook: Jones looks to rebound from a challenging 2024 season that saw career-low numbers in several categories, including a 22.9 average finish and just 17 lead-lap finishes. A back injury at Talladega in April forced him to miss two races, further complicating his campaign. The pairing with Beshore showed potential in their limited time together late in 2024, posting a best finish of 19th at Martinsville. The two-time Southern 500 winner retains the talent and experience to compete for victories, and a full season with Beshore could help unlock that potential once again.
BOLD PREDICTION: The Nemechek-Jones duo will dramatically improve their performance in 2025, collecting eight combined top-five finishes after managing just one in 70 starts during 2024. While there’s still room for growth, this would represent significant progress for an organization that continues to navigate substantial changes. Both drivers have proven their ability to compete across various track types, and as Legacy Motor Club’s Toyota program matures, results should steadily improve.
Photo by Getty Images
