Daily News 19

Tag: NASCAR Cup Series

  • NASCAR Rumors: Legacy Motor Club Reportedly Cutting Ties With John Hunter Nemechek in 2027 as Top Replacement Emerges

    NASCAR Rumors: Legacy Motor Club Reportedly Cutting Ties With John Hunter Nemechek in 2027 as Top Replacement Emerges

    The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series silly season had produced little movement, with Jesse Love replacing Josh Berry at Wood Brothers Racing next season standing as the only major change. That situation has now shifted at Legacy Motor Club.

    According to Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic, Legacy Motor Club is reportedly preparing to terminate John Hunter Nemechek’s contract and move on from the driver after the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.

    “Team leadership informed Nemechek of the news Monday, with the team opting to go a different direction even though the sides had recently agreed to a contract extension to keep Nemechek driving the No. 42 Toyota for the 2027 season.”

    Legacy Motor Club, which is owned by Jimmie Johnson, was already expected to have a full-time Cup Series seat available next season. The team is leasing a charter from Rick Ware Racing, giving LMC a three-car Cup Series operation in 2027.

    That additional seat is widely expected to go to Riley Herbst. The young driver became available after 23XI Racing announced that Corey Heim would become its third full-time driver next season. Although Herbst’s next team has not been officially confirmed, his improvement on the track, family connections to sponsors and significant financial backing have made him a strong fit for Legacy Motor Club.

    Nemechek, 29, has competed in 139 career Cup Series races without reaching Victory Lane. He ended the regular season 27th in the standings, recording two top-10 finishes along with a 22.3 average starting position and a 22.1 average finishing position.

    Who Will Drive Legacy Motor Club’s No. 42 Car in 2027?

    Given that Nemechek entered last weekend under contract with Legacy Motor Club through the 2027 season, the team’s sudden decision suggests that it already has a replacement in mind.

    Bianchi reported that Josh Berry is the “leading candidate” to drive the No. 42 car next season. The veteran’s future had remained uncertain throughout the summer after Wood Brothers Racing announced that Jesse Love would take over the No. 21 car next year.

    At one point, Berry appeared likely to move down to the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. After Richard Childress Racing announced that Austin Hill would drive the No. 33 car next season, no other full-time Cup Series seats appeared to be available.

    With his NASCAR future in question, Berry produced one of the strongest stretches of his career. Following a ninth-place finish at Daytona in the Coke Zero Sugar 400, Berry has recorded five consecutive top-10 finishes and scored 180 points, or 36 points per race, during that span.

    According to DriverAverages.com, Berry has the seventh-best average finishing position in the Cup Series at 11.2 and ranks seventh in laps led with 76 over that stretch. By comparison, Nemechek has led 75 laps in his last 30 races and recorded only two top-10 finishes during that period, while Berry has posted five top-10 results in his last six weeks.

    Based on his recent performance and reputation among fellow drivers, Nemechek could be nearing the end of his career as a full-time Cup Series competitor. Entering his age-30 season next year, he may have to return to the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, where he has 11 wins, or the Truck Series, where he has 13 victories.

  • Sophie Cunningham Serves as NASCAR Pit Road Reporter During WNBA Break

    Even with the WNBA on a midseason break for the FIBA Women’s World Cup, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham found herself in the spotlight on Sunday at the Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup Series race at World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis.

    Meeting Racing and Basketball Royalty

    Cunningham attended the event in multiple capacities: as a fan, a broadcaster, and a guest on Kenny Wallace’s pre-race fanzone show. While at the track, she connected with prominent figures across motorsports and basketball, including two Hall of Famers — four-time Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon and NBA legend Michael Jordan, who co-owns 23XI Racing.

    Pre-Race Show Appearance with Kenny Wallace

    Cunningham’s appearance alongside retired NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace — known for pushing Dale Earnhardt to his final victory at Talladega in 2000 — drew a large crowd and produced several memorable moments. The former high school football kicker booted a football off the stage, accidentally knocking over a microphone stand in the process.

    During the conversation with Wallace and co-host John Roberts, Cunningham discussed the mental side of competition and getting into opponents’ heads, a tactic she has employed throughout her WNBA career. The strategy drew particular attention this season when an image of her pointing at Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner became a viral meme.

    “I think I’ve kind of mastered that art, a little bit. I get a little feisty, if you know what I’m saying,” Cunningham said. “I do think it is part of the sport. You got to have a one-up on people, and sometimes it’s not physical, it’s the mental game.”

    Response to “Sex Symbol” Comment

    Wallace also asked Cunningham about radio host Colin Cowherd recently labeling her a “sex symbol” during a viral interview clip. Cunningham framed her response as a message to young athletes.

    “All I’m saying, for all the little girls out there, that if you want to play a sport, you can still be girly, you can still go out there and kick ass, sweat, work hard, and you can still look a certain way,” Cunningham said. “So, go do your thing.”

    Garage Area Access and Driver Interactions

    Cunningham toured the haulers in the garage area and met with several Cup Series drivers, including Carson Hocevar, Riley Herbst, Austin Dillon, Chase Elliott, and Ryan Blaney. She signed hats for Dillon’s children, prompting a warm response from the driver of the No. 3 Chevrolet.

    “We’re huge fans. We love what you stand for.”

    Elliott gifted Cunningham NAPA Auto Parts racing jackets, while Blaney presented her with a bottle of bourbon.

    USA Network Broadcasting Duties

    USA Network featured Cunningham on its pre-race coverage alongside Marty Snider, Steve Letarte, and Jeff Burton. She later served as a pit road reporter between Stages 1 and 2, wearing a broadcasting pack for the live feed. Cunningham has contributed to USA Network as an analyst during the WNBA season.

    Speaking on the pre-race show, she praised the NASCAR community.

    “You guys are salt of the earth people,” Cunningham said. “It’s been really cool to talk to them about racing cars and whatnot, but also just getting to know them outside of the track. You guys truly are amazing, and I’ve had a heck of a day and it’s been a lot of fun.”

    Later in the broadcast, Cunningham summed up her experience.

    “We’re here in Illinois with NASCAR. It’s been the best day in my entire life,” Cunningham said. “I feel like these are my people. I belong here.”

    Race Recap and WNBA Outlook

    Sunday’s race delivered high drama with a season-high 18 caution flags. Kyle Larson captured the victory in double overtime, snapping a 51-race winless streak.

    Cunningham, who grew up roughly two hours west of World Wide Technology Raceway and played collegiately at Missouri, is in her eighth WNBA season. She plays a key reserve role for the Fever, who have clinched a playoff berth. Through the current season, Cunningham averages 8.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 43.4% from three-point range — the fourth-best mark in the league.

    Following Team USA’s gold-medal victory over France in the World Cup final on Sunday, the WNBA season resumes Thursday. The Fever return to action Friday, September 18, against the Toronto Tempo.