LMC, which was rebranded this year from Petty GMS Racing following the addition of seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson to its ownership group, announced Tuesday it would switch manufacturer alliances from Chevrolet to Toyota after the 2023 season.
The move will create eight full-time Toyota teams on the Cup Series grid in 2024, the most since the 2011 season.
Erik Jones, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, Allegiant Chevrolet Camaro and Noah Gragson, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet Camaro
Photo by: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Images
Most importantly for LMC, principal owner Maury Gallagher said it will help the organization develop into a “standalone” team that can compete regularly for wins and championships.
“On my side of house, from the business aspect, the competition burns deep. We here at GMS and now Legacy, we want to win,” Gallagher said. “And Mike Beam (team president) proved that over the years with 41 Truck wins, two championships. We’re focused on that.
“What it comes down to is this seems to be a better move longer-term for us. Having Jimmie on board has definitely been a game-changer for us, as well. We consciously have gone about improving ourselves as we could in a lot of aspects.”
Race winner Erik Jones, Petty GMS Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro
Photo by: Lesley Ann Miller / Motorsport Images
Gallagher’s NASCAR ownership footprint has grown from Trucks to the Cup series in a short period of time, beginning with a merger with Petty Motorsports at the end of the 2021 season.
That has been followed by Johnson’s addition as a co-owner, expansion to a two-car team and the organization’s rebranding this season all in short order.
The change in manufacturer – and the resources for the team that will come with it – is the next “logical step,” Gallagher said.
“I’m older now, so I have both age and wisdom, I think. I’ve been in sports all my life. I’m mainly a stick-and-ball guy but I love competition,” he said. “Being in the back of the pack, some people can live there but that’s not a place that I’m willing to live.”
The debut of the Next Gen car last season – and especially how teams no longer must build chassis or the parts and pieces that go on them – has opened the door for new ownership and a different model in team operations.
“The car’s the leveling tool,” Gallagher said. “Candidly, this year we’re not doing as good as we could. I think some of the people…
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