Nemechek Gaining Steam In Third Cup Series Campaign

John Hunter Nemechek is building NASCAR Cup Series momentum for Legacy Motor Club. (Jacob Seelman/Race Face Digital photo)

STATESVILLE, N.C. – Turning the corner in one’s career is something special and shouldn’t be taken for granted. Nearing the end of his third regular season in the NASCAR Cup Series, John Hunter Nemechek is embracing the journey.

Nemechek is enjoying a career-best season for Legacy Motor Club and has been a huge factor in the organization’s development into a more competitive team.

He has a top five and six top 10s to go along with an average finish of 18th place, which is the best of his career by seven positions.

One thing that’s headlined his summer is the impact the In-Season Challenge had on his team. Nemechek made it to the semifinal round of the $1 million bracket before being eliminated by Kaulig Racing’s Ty Dillon, but still garnered plenty of attention.

“I think overall it was a really great experience. Credit to TNT Sports, NASCAR and everyone that came up with the idea and made it possible. It was really fun to be a part of,” said Nemechek. “It gives you something to race for when you are running 25th or 15th or whatever the circumstance is.

“Thank you to everyone for making it happen. It’s definitely a step in the right direction for our sport.”

Two weeks later at Iowa Speedway, the 28-year-old ran the 100th race of his Cup Series career. He finished 15th in the race to collect his 10th top 15 of the season and second in as many weeks.

It was a big milestone for the second-generation driver, who grew up in a deep racing family.

“It’s really neat. As a kid growing up and watching my Dad [1992 Xfinity Series champion Joe Nemechek] race in the Cup Series and growing up at the racetrack was special,” he said. “Not only to compete at the Cup level, but to compete at a high level for wins, championships, top-10’s and top-five’s is something I’ve always dreamed of.”

The mission to be competitive is something Legacy Motor Club has strived for in its second year with Toyota. Majority team owner Jimmie Johnson has made it an organizational goal to bring quality cars to the track, in an effort to get closer to victory lane.

“[Johnson] shared his vision for the company to help change the culture in the shop and has made the biggest impact. Him being around on a day-to-day aspect is more culture driven than necessarily everyone working harder,” explained Nemechek. “I wouldn’t say people are stepping up their game and working harder just because he’s there. But I think the way he has shaped his vision and his dream of ‘Legacy 2.0’ as a team owner with culture, I think that’s made the biggest impact for us as a team.

“The personnel we continue to hire, the changes we’re making internally, and all the department heads, everyone has bought in,” he added. “Everyone has bought in on what Jimmie wants to do and how we are going to achieve that. It’s shown here over the last little bit.”

Nemechek sits 20th overall in the point standings, which is a vast improvement from last season. Both LMC cars finished 28th or worse in the standings last year; this time around, both Nemechek and teammate Erik Jones have shown flashes of brilliance on track.

“[For example] I had the fastest car at Indianapolis, and I drove it into the fence in qualifying and had to start in the back. Even with that, I think we are getting closer. We have three weeks left to win before the playoffs,” noted Nemechek. “Even if we don’t make the playoffs this year, I would say this year has been a success for us.

“Last year we were running 30th or 35th every week, and now we’re consistently inside the top 20 each week.”

Nemechek said the difference from last year is actually having pure speed at each track. Instead of searching for lap time while actively trying to compete, pace is actually in Legacy’s inventory in 2025.

While the results have shown sporadically, the organization wants them to become consistent.

“We have some good racetracks coming up, I like Watkins Glen, but we all have to figure out how to beat [Shane van Gisbergen]. Then we have Richmond and Daytona,” Nemechek said. “The summer race at Daytona last year we had a shot to win before I spun through the infield, so I’m looking forward to going back there. Richmond is another one I’ve also circled myself.”

Nemechek finished fifth in the Daytona 500 back in February. And despite a lack of Cup Series success at Richmond in his career, he has three Xfinity Series podiums at the Virginia short track.

But Nemechek and Legacy must go through Watkins Glen (N.Y.) Int’l first. In his lone Cup Series start at Watkins Glen, Nemechek finished 21st last season. However, he has two top 15s in three road races this season. Notably, he finished sixth at Mexico City in June.

“There are definitely some dates before the playoffs that I’m excited for,” he concluded.

Coverage of the Go Bowling at the Glen begins Sunday, Aug. 10 at 2 p.m. ET on USA, the Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.