Bringing Flavortown to the track.
Legacy Motor Club has announced today that the Mayor of Flavortown, superstar chef and television star Guy Fieri, has joined their growing ownership group.
In a press release, the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives host expressed his excitement for joining an ownership group that already includes 7-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson and country superstar Darius Rucker:
“Motorsports and race cars have always had that raw energy I love — the people, the passion, the culture, the speed. Legacy Motor Club is building something different, and I wanted to be part of it. This is about more than racing — it’s about creating a brand that connects with fans everywhere, from the track to the table.”
And Johnson also praised Fieri for what he’s able to bring to the team beyond the track:
“Guy has built an incredible brand by being authentic and connecting with people in a real way. That’s at the heart of what we’re building here. We want Legacy to reach far beyond race day, and Guy’s creativity, energy, and perspective are exactly what this ownership group is about.”
The team also says that Fieri’s involvement will extend beyond simply being an owner, with plans for “collaborative content, fan engagement initiatives, and licensed merchandise that brings together racing, food, and lifestyle culture.”
Legacy Motor Club is, of course, the team formerly owned by NASCAR legend Richard Petty and previously known as Richard Petty Motorsports.
In 2022, it was announced that Johnson had purchased an ownership stake in the team, and in 2025 Johnson became a majority owner alongside Knighthead Capital, with previous owners Petty and Maury Gallagher moving into ambassador roles for the team.
The team currently fields the iconic #43 car, which is driven by Erik Jones, as well as the #42 car of John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson also drives select races for the team in a third entry, most recently getting behind the wheel of the #84 car this past weekend during the street course race at Naval Base Coronado.
Legacy switched from Chevrolet to Toyota in 2024, and has been working hard at improving their performance on the track over the past few years with the help of a legendary owner like Johnson. Just recently, the team owner confirmed that Legacy plans to run three full-time cars in 2027, hinting that the team was looking at bringing in new partners:
“Without question, we will have a third car on the grid next year. Very excited about that. Our commitment to growth will be able to attract and recruit the right individuals to help come in and really grow the workforce for this third car. All the benefits that come with running an additional car will help speed up our process.”
It’s widely expected that the third Legacy car will be driven by Riley Herbst, who currently drives for 23XI Racing but is being replaced in 2027 by up-and-coming superstar (and last weekend’s winner) Corey Heim.
While the team has struggled in recent years, dating back to well before Johnson came in and they became Legacy Motor Club, they’ve made noticeable gains on the track recently to catch up to the top teams of the sport. And part of that strategy has been bringing in new partners like Rucker and Fieri, with more rumored to be announced in the weeks and months.
Fieri is, of course, just the latest in a long line of celebrity NASCAR team owners, most notably NBA legend and 23XI Racing team owner Michael Jordan, as well as rapper Pitbull, who was a co-owner of Trackhouse Racing until last year.
It seems like Johnson is serious about turning Legacy Motor Club into a championship contender (although I’m not sure how much I agree with bringing on Riley Herbst, if that rumor ends up being true) and surrounding himself with the resources to compete at the highest level in the Cup Series.
Either way, Guy Fieri at a NASCAR race is going to be absolutely electric.
