While the celebration continued after Erik Jones’ Southern 500 victory last September, executives of what is now Legacy MC already were looking ahead.
“(September) and October, decisions we make on people are going to affect how we race next (February), March and April,” Mike Beam, team president, told NBC Sports that night.
Noah Gragson had been announced as the team’s second driver for 2023 less than a month before Jones’ win.
But bigger news was to come.
The team announced Nov. 4 that Jimmie Johnson would become a co-owner, lifting the profile of a team that carries Richard Petty’s No. 43 on Jones’ cars.
As February approaches and racing resumes, a question this season is how far can Legacy MC climb. Can this team mimic the breakout season Trackhouse Racing had last year?
“I think everybody looks for Trackhouse for … maybe the way of doing things a bit different,” Jones told NBC Sports. “Obviously, starting with the name. We’ve kind of gone that same direction with Legacy MC and then on down from there, kind of how a program can be built and run in a short amount of time.
“There’s some growth in the back end that we still have to do to probably be totally to that level, but our goal is definitely to be on that same trajectory that Trackhouse was over the last two seasons.”
Trackhouse Racing debuted in 2021 with Daniel Suarez. He finished 25th in the points. The organization added Ross Chastain and several team members from Chip Ganassi Racing to form a two-car team last year. Chastain won two races and finished second in the points, while Suarez won once and was 10th in the standings.
Legacy MC co-owner Maury Gallagher purchased a majority interest in Richard Petty Motorsports in December 2021 and merged the two teams. Jones won one race and placed 18th in points last year. Ty Dillon was winless, finishing 29th in points and was replaced by Gragson after the season.
“Legitimately, we were a pretty new team last year coming in,” Jones said. “There were a handful of Richard Petty Motorsports guys who came over, but, for the most part, it was a brand new team.
“I think what we built in one year and done is similar to Trackhouse in their first year. I think maybe even we were a step ahead of where they were in their first year.”
Legacy MC looks for more with Jones, Gragson and Johnson, who will run a limited schedule this year. Johnson will seek to make the Daytona 500 field.
Jones said Johnson has infused the team with energy. Gragson has been trying to soak up as much as he can from Johnson.
Gragson told NBC Sports that having Johnson as a teammate is “going to be an incredible opportunity for a young guy like myself, first year in the Cup series, a rookie, to be able to lean on a seven-time champion.
“Incredible person, friend, mentor that Jimmie has become for myself. He’s probably going to be pretty over me by the time we get to the Daytona 500 because I just keep wearing him out with questions and trying … pick his brain.”
2. Kyle Busch’s impact
Car owner Richard Childress says that Kyle Busch already is making an impact at RCR.
Busch joins the organization after having spent the past 15 seasons driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. Busch will pilot the No. 8 Chevrolet for RCR this year.
He took part in a World Racing League endurance race at Circuit of the Americas in December with Austin Dillon and Sheldon Creed. The trio won one of those races.
“I was down there for that, just watching how (Busch) gets in there and works with everybody,” Childress said. “He’s a racer. He wants to win. That’s what I love about him.”
Childress sees the influence Busch can have on an organization that has won six Cup titles — but none since Dale Earnhardt’s last crown in 1994 — and 113 series races.
“He brings a lot of experience and knowledge,” Childress said of Busch. “I think he’ll help Austin a lot in his career. I think he can help our whole organization from a standpoint of what do we need … to go faster.”
Dillon told NBC Sports that the team has changed some things it does in its meetings based on feedback from Busch. Dillon also said that he and Busch have similar driving styles — more similar than Dillon has had with past teammates.
“I think as we go throughout the year and he gets to drive our race cars, he’ll have some new thoughts that he’ll bring,” Dillon said of Busch. “I think we’re already bringing some new thoughts to him, too.”
3. New role for Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick, entering his final Cup season, has joined the Drivers Advisory Council, a move Joey Logano said is important for the group.
“Kevin is necessary to the sport, even post-driving career,” Logano told NBC Sports. “He’s necessary for our sport’s success. Kevin sees it and does something about it.
“He’s always been vocal, right? He’s always been very brash, and like, boom in your face. That’s what people love about Kevin Harvick. Something I like about him as well is that you know where you stand. You know where the weaknesses are.
“He’s going to push until something happens. That’s great. There’s nothing wrong with that. Having him on the Advisory Council now for the drivers, his experience, but also his willingness to push, is important.”
Jeff Burton again will lead the group as Director of the Council. The Board of Directors is: Harvick, Logano, Kyle Petty, Austin Dillon, Daniel Suarez, Corey LaJoie, Kurt Busch and Tom Buis.
Logano, Petty, Dillon, Suarez, LaJoie and Busch all return. Buis, a board member of Growth Energy after having previously been the company’s CEO, joins the drivers group and provides a business background.
4. Finding one’s voice
Chase Briscoe’s contract extension with Stewart-Haas Racing means he could be the longest tenured driver there in the near future.
The 28-year Briscoe enters his third Cup season at SHR, but the landscape is changing. This will be Kevin Harvick’s final season in Cup. Ryan Preece is in his first season driving in Cup for the team. Aric Almirola was supposed to have retired last year but came back. How long he remains is to be determined.
Those changes could soon leave Briscoe as the team’s senior driver.
“It’s a role that is crazy, truthfully, to think about because that could be me in the next year or two, being I wouldn’t say that flagship guy, but being a leader as far as the drivers go in an organization,” Briscoe said.
“Truthfully, I feel like that’s something I want to be. I’ve always enjoyed that kind of leader, team building type of stuff. So, yeah, if that role is kind of placed on me naturally, then that’s one that I would love to have and try to do it to the best of my ability. I feel like that’s a role that you don’t choose, it kind of chooses you.”
Briscoe, who won the spring Phoenix race and made the playoffs last year, said that he’s becoming more comfortable speaking up in team meetings.
“I look back, especially on my rookie year, we’d go into our competition meeting on Tuesday and, truthfully, I wouldn’t really talk much,” he said. “I would say kind of what we thought for the weekend, but outside of that I would just kind of sit there and listen.
“This past year, I definitely talked a lot more, and I’d bring up ideas and kind of say things I wanted to get off my chest, where in the past I wouldn’t have done that. I feel like as I’ve gotten more confident in myself and my position, I’ve gotten to the point where I speak my mind a little bit more and, I guess, be a little bit more of a leader.”
5. Busch Clash field
NASCAR released the preliminary entry list for the Feb. 5 Busch Clash. No surprise, the entry list features only the 36 charter teams. Those teams are required to be entered.
With 27 cars in the feature — which is expanded by four cars from last year’s race — there’s no guarantee a non-charter car could make the field. That’s a lot of money to go across country and face the chance of missing the main event.
The Daytona 500 field has four spots for non-charter cars. With that race’s payoff significantly more, it will attract at least five cars for those spots: Jimmie Johnson (Legacy MC), Zane Smith (Front Row Motorsports), Chandler Smith (Kaulig Racing), Austin Hill (Beard Motorsports) and Travis Pastrana (23XI Racing). Helio Castroneves confirmed Thursday that he will not enter the 500. He had been in talks with the team co-owned by boxer Floyd Mayweather.
#NASCAR Entry list for Busch Clash … 36 entries. All charter teams. pic.twitter.com/35uwMECbZu
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) January 26, 2023
Read more about NASCAR
FAQs
How many cars did Chastain pass? ›
Chastain passed five cars while riding the outside wall in the final two corners and run to the checkered flag.
How did NASCAR react to Ross Chastain? ›Ross Chastain's ballsy "wall-ride" pass in this past weekend's NASCAR Cup Series race inspired shock and awe, and not just from fans. The drivers who watched it happen in front of them had a similar reaction to those watching in the stands and at home. They knew they witnessed something extraordinary.
What was Ross chastains finish at Martinsville? ›However it did, it made for the fastest lap a stock car has ever run at Martinsville Speedway, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary. The track record was 18.954 seconds. Chastain's final lap was 18.845 seconds.
Who did Chastain knock out? ›NCS: Christopher Bell punches ticket to Championship Four as Ross Chastain uses the wall to knock Hamlin out of the Round of Eight.
Who drives the #1 car in NASCAR? ›Ross Lee Chastain (born December 4, 1992) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series driving the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Trackhouse Racing Team. He is the older brother of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Chad Chastain.
How many G's did Ross Chastain pull? ›He didn't run 112 mph the whole way. Let's assume he entered the turn at 122 mph, which would be 37-47 mph faster than anyone else did. We're talking about a turning force of 18,079 pounds, and an acceleration of almost 5Gs.
What caused the decline of NASCAR? ›Reasons cited for its decline include the aforementioned track changes, the introduction of the Car of Tomorrow which both drivers and fans alike criticized, the constant tinkering of the rules of its championship and the racing itself, the change in its race day experience, the perceived decline in the quality of its ...
Who broke the gender barrier in NASCAR? ›1976: Janet Guthrie, NASCAR
In 1977, Guthrie became the first woman ever to start in the Daytona 500. In 1977, she qualified for speed trials and became the first woman to compete in the Indianapolis 500, but her debut was a bust due to mechanical problems.
How was this? The Daytona soared over 200 mph and was no longer allowed to compete in NASCAR event racing. This was first accomplished by famed NASCAR driver Buddy Baker who was the one to surpass 200 miles per hour on March 24, 1970, at the famed Talladega track.
Who has the best average finish at Martinsville? ›| Driver | Avg Finish | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryan Blaney | 5.3 |
| 2 | Joey Logano | 7.3 |
| 3 | Kurt Busch | 9.4 |
| 4 | Martin Truex Jr. | 9.9 |
Who has won the most clocks at Martinsville? ›
- Rusty Wallace: 7 wins. 12% of Rusty Wallace's career Cup victories came at Martinsville, including his final win in 2004. ...
- Jeff Gordon: 9 wins. ...
- Jimmie Johnson: 9 wins. ...
- Darrell Waltrip: 11 wins. ...
- Richard Petty: 15 wins. ...
- Some Nuggets Before You Go.
Hamlin on Chastain: 'Brilliant, well-executed'
11 team "didn't control the race when we had control of it," after failing to reach the Championship 4. He congratulates Christopher Bell on the win and gives kudos to Ross Chastain.
She then went on to welcome another child, a son, and fans only twigged when they say her with a baby carrier. When collecting an Oscar in 2022, Jessica finally divulged her son's name by saying: "Giulietta and Augustus, you are my heart." How cute!
What did Chastain do? ›Chastain gunned his No. 1 Trackside Racing Chevy and used the outside retaining wall like a marble in a bowl, rode the wall with smoke billowing from the right side of his car and turned the fastest speed ever recorded in the history of the 75-year-old .
Who is the best NASCAR driver of all time? ›Richard Petty is the best NASCAR driver of all time.
Although his record of seven championships is tied with Dale Earnhardt and Jimmie Johnson, Petty holds the records for most wins, poles, career starts, wins in a season (27), consecutive wins (10), and Daytona 500 wins (7), among other distinctions.
Michael Jordan found success in first couple years as NASCAR Cup team owner. Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin have been friends for years. That friendship was the spark for 23XI Racing. The team debuted in the 2021 Daytona 500 with Bubba Wallace behind the wheel.
Who are the black car owners in NASCAR? ›Cohen is joined by Michael Jordan (23XI Racing), Brad Daugherty (JTG Daugherty) and Floyd Mayweather (The Money Team Racing) as the only Black owners in NASCAR.
Can a pilot pull 10 G's? ›On the other hand, an expert pilot in command of an Extra 300 stunt plane can pull 10 Gs, even though the plane has a top speed of just over 200 miles per hour. This is due to the plane's extreme maneuverability and construction that can withstand G-forces significantly higher than even 10 Gs.
Who has the highest G-force tolerance? ›The record for peak experimental horizontal g-force tolerance is held by acceleration pioneer John Stapp, in a series of rocket sled deceleration experiments culminating in a late 1954 test in which he was clocked in a little over a second from a land speed of Mach 0.9.
What is the highest G-force a pilot has survived? ›
With the development of faster and more maneuverable planes, G forces became more dangerous. Based on rates of survival (or lack thereof) during crashes, it became accepted wisdom that no pilot could withstand more than 18 G's, or 18 times the force of gravity at sea level.
Is NBC dropping NASCAR? ›On January 22, 2021, an internal memo sent by NBC Sports president Pete Bevacqua announced that NBCSN would cease operations by the end of the year, and that USA Network would begin "carrying and/or simulcasting certain NBC Sports programming," including the Stanley Cup playoffs and NASCAR races, before NBCSN's ...
Is NASCAR losing viewers? ›Coca-Cola 600 TV ratings see slight drop from last season
The NASCAR Cup Series race at the Coca-Cola 600 was down 4.7% compared to last year's event at 4.061 million average viewers. Both events were held on FOX. History: 2022: 3.869 million.
“This is a hit to NASCAR and the team, but, in the big picture, this is an issue beyond the sport as much as anything,” Page said. “Lowe's has some financial issues that have been building for a while and it just doesn't make sense to put $20 million-plus into a NASCAR program right now.
Who got kicked out of NASCAR for drugs? ›It's been over nine years since Jeremy Mayfield was banned from NASCAR after testing positive for meth. The controversy ruined his career in the sport; despite Mayfield's repeated denials, some were left thinking the driver was an addict.
Which NASCAR team has a female tire changer? ›...
| Brehanna Daniels | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | NASCAR tire changer |
| Years active | 2017–present |
...
Jeremy Mayfield.
| Wins | Top tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 96 | 9 |
What is this? But according to the most recent report from Sports Business Journal (SBJ), Dodge's plans to return to NASCAR have stalled. The article stated that last year, Dodge held talks with at least one team, the Ford-backed team of Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing (RFK Racing).
What is so special about a HEMI engine? ›A HEMI® engine is composed of a hemispherical combustion chamber with dome shaped cylinders and matching piston tops. This creates less surface area than traditional engine which means that less heat and energy lost, and more power is produced.
Why is Dodge not making Hellcats anymore? ›As many brands switched to smaller and more fuel-efficient engines, Dodge rolled out Hellcat models and other high-performance vehicles. Such models helped generate attention for the brand but didn't help the automaker's carbon footprint, forcing it to buy carbon credits from automakers such as Tesla.
Who is favorite for Martinsville race? ›
As has been the case numerous times this season, Chase Elliott is favored to win the 2022 Xfinity 500. Elliott is priced at 13-2 in the latest 2022 Xfinity 500 odds at Caesars Sportsbook, while Denny Hamlin is 7-1.
Who has the most grandfather clocks from Martinsville Speedway? ›But the grandfather clock tradition at Martinsville continues. Richard Petty has 12 of the clocks, but fellow-seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson leads the way among active drivers with eight.
What is the best average finish in NASCAR history? ›All-time best average finish, career: 7.602 by Lee Petty. All-time best average starting position, career: 4.874 by Dick Hutcherson. All-time most laps completed: 307,836 by Richard Petty.
What tragedy happened at Martinsville Speedway? ›...
2004 Hendrick Motorsports aircraft crash.
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
| Fatalities | 10 |
| Survivors | 0 |
On Sept. 27, 1964 Fred Lorenzen won at Martinsville Speedway. His prize for crossing the finish line first – a grandfather clock. It was then NASCAR's most iconic trophy was born.
Who spun Chase Elliott at Martinsville? ›Five years ago, Denny Hamlin spun Chase Elliott at Martinsville after Chase door-slammed Brad Keselowski moments before...
What driver has won at every track? ›Kyle Busch drove his Toyota Camry into the record books with his win in the Coca-Cola 600, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. According to Toyota, by winning in Charlotte, Busch became the only driver to have won on each active NASCAR Cup Series track. Busch's win in the Coca-Cola 600 was impressive.
What is the smallest NASCAR track ever? ›Bristol Motor Speedway - The 0.533 mile oval track is also considered to be the shortest track located in Bristol, Tennessee.
What is the shortest NASCAR track ever? ›Founded in 1947 by the late H. Clay Earles, Martinsville Speedway is only track which has hosted NASCAR Cup Series races every year since the division's inception in 1949. At . 526 miles in length, Martinsville Speedway is the shortest track on the NASCAR Cup Series circuit.
Who owns Chastain car in NASCAR? ›Trackhouse Racing team owner Justin Marks says that Ross Chastain is “built different” to other drivers, which led to the jaw-dropping moment that sent him into NASCAR's Championship Four.
Does Denny Hamlin take Adderall? ›
Hamlin was asked if NASCAR drivers took Adderall. He responded “Hmmm, I would say yes.” Then, Hamlin was asked to put a number on it, “70 percent.” Adderall is a drug that creates a laser light beam of focus for its user. So much so that it's nicknamed the 'Focus drug.
Who is Chastain married to? ›Jessica Chastain and Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo have been married since 2017. Jessica Chastain and husband Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo's love story is straight out of a fairytale. The couple met in early 2012 and dated for five years before tying the knot at Passi de Preposulo's family estate in Northern Italy.
How old was Jessica Chastain when she got married? ›Jessica Chastain, Married at 40
She officially married into royalty five years later in 2017 at Preposulo's family's estate in Carbonara, Italy and the couple has welcomed two daughters since.
By all accounts, Isaac and Chastain aren't in love. They are married to other people and are old friends, going back to when they attended Juilliard together.
Who owns Ross Chastain's car? ›Trackhouse Racing team owner Justin Marks says that Ross Chastain is “built different” to other drivers, which led to the jaw-dropping moment that sent him into NASCAR's Championship Four.
Does Jessica Chastain have a child? ›Chastain, 45, is very private about the two young children she shares with husband Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo, seldom sharing details about her kids. "Normally I never talk about my personal life. But I had a conversation with my daughter not that long ago," she began.
What happened to Chastain truck race? ›Ross Chastain says it was dehydration that caused his legs to cramp and that is why he was on the ground after the race.
What happened to Chastain in the race? ›Chastain went from 10th to fifth on the final lap of the race by intentionally driving his car into the wall at full speed.
Who sponsors Chastain in NASCAR? ›Trackhouse Racing today announced that the Moose Fraternity will join the organization as a primary partner on the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, driven by Ross Chastain in the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season. The Moose Fraternity will serve as primary sponsor on Chastain's Chevrolet at Talladega (Ala.)
Has Ross Chastain ever won a NASCAR race? ›Ross Chastain moved to the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Team Chevrolet full-time for the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season and collected his first, and the organization's first, win at Circuit of The Americas. He followed that up four weeks later with a win at Talladega Superspeedway.
Who owns NASCAR number 99? ›
Meaning and Origin of: Chastain
French : from Old French castan(h) 'chestnut tree' (Latin castanea), hence a topographic name for someone living near a particular chestnut tree or group of them, or possibly a nickname for someone with chestnut-colored hair.
Captain Lee Rosbach is "very happy" for his former Below Deck costar and friend Kate Chastain, who is expecting her first baby this May. "I couldn't be more elated for her," the reality star, 73, tells PEOPLE. "I have no doubt she's going to be a great mom."
Does Jessica Chastain know martial arts? ›She Learnt One Of The Most Aggressive Martial Arts
So it's quite a surprise that the small actress studied Krav Maga for her part in The Debt.
Is Chastain no more? During the final moments of The Resident Season 4 Episode 4, Yorn informed Bell that Red Rock had officially sold Chastain. Among other big events from the hour, CoNic shared their baby news, Mina bared her heart to AJ, and Devon and his mother continued to grieve.
Who got disqualified from the truck race? ›Post-race inspection in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series garage is complete. The No. 88-Crafton has been disqualified for violating Rule Book section 14.17.
Why was the truck race Cancelled? ›NASCAR and BMS officials announced that the Bush's Beans Qualifying heat races for both the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series have been cancelled today due to weather.
Did Chastain get disqualified? ›So Chastain officially picked up three additional points (two from his two stage promotions to eighth place) with Keselowski's disqualification instead of just one due to his promotion to fourth in the final results.
Was Ross Chastain move legal in NASCAR? ›NASCAR chief operating officer Steve O'Donnell reiterated on Tuesday morning that Ross Chastain's go-for-broke move on the last lap at Martinsville Speedway didn't violate any rules.