Jimmie Johnson, the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and Legacy Motor Club co-owner, kicked off a lawsuit battle back in April this year when he sued Rick Ware Racing over a soured charter deal. The agreement, which was meant to secure a third charter for Legacy’s expansion plans starting in 2026, has just taken a new turn, in Johnson’s and LMC’s favor.

Rick Ware Racing had fired back with a countersuit in June, claiming mix-ups over which specific charter was on the table and when the transfer would happen. This was fueled by the entry of T.J. Puchyr, co-founder of Spire Motorsports, who aimed to buy those charters from RWR, ultimately getting a TRO from the court, halting RWR’s and Puchyr’s plans. And now, the judge has given a new update on the case.

Court delivers key ruling in charter clash

In a significant turn for Legacy Motor Club, a North Carolina Superior Court judge granted their request for a preliminary injunction on August 22, blocking Rick Ware Racing from selling either of its two charters until the full litigation wraps up.

This builds on an earlier temporary restraining order issued July 31, which halted the immediate closure of Ware’s deal with Puchyr for 10 days while requiring Legacy to post a $5 million bond. The injunction now extends that protection, ensuring no charters change hands amid the ongoing suit.

Fox Sports reporter Bob Pockrass captured the development succinctly on X. “A North Carolina judge has granted a preliminary injunction keeping Rick Ware Racing from selling either of its charters until their litigation with Legacy Motor Club is resolved. Legacy had sought the injunction.”

A North Carolina judge has granted a preliminary injunction keeping Rick Ware Racing from selling either of its charters until their litigation with Legacy Motor Club is resolved. Legacy had sought the injunction.

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 22, 2025

This ruling underscores the court’s view that Legacy has a stronger case, rooted in the March 3 Charter Purchase Agreement for what was reportedly a record $45 million price tag. It prevents Ware from offloading assets that could undermine Legacy’s claims, buying time for a deeper dive into the contract’s validity and the alleged discrepancies over charter numbers, No. 36 versus No. 27, the latter currently leased to RFK Racing for Ryan Preece‘s No. 60 car.

The decision comes at a pivotal moment for both teams, as charters represent not just race entries but stable revenue streams tied to NASCAR’s media deals. Legacy’s push for this third spot aligns with their shift to the Toyota alliance, aiming to boost competitiveness after a tough 2024 where drivers like Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek struggled for consistent top finishes.

Without this injunction, Ware could have finalized the $150 million sale, potentially leaving Legacy without the expansion tool they need to attract better talent and sponsors.

Looking deeper, the court’s move highlights broader tensions in NASCAR’s charter system, especially with ongoing antitrust concerns from teams like 23XI Racing. For Johnson and his crew, this win offers breathing room to focus on building the team, but it also ramps up pressure on Ware, whose operation spans multiple series and now faces delays in any restructuring.

As the case drags on without a set trial date, it could influence how teams negotiate deals moving forward. Speaking of building, Johnson’s recent chat on a podcast sheds light on his bigger picture for Legacy, tying right into how this legal edge might fuel his long-term goals.

Johnson’s vision for Legacy growth

Jimmie Johnson shared his forward-thinking ideas during an appearance on Kevin Harvick‘s Happy Hour podcast, outlining how he wants to evolve Legacy Motor Club into something much larger than a typical race team.

He explained the core, saying, “The part that I’m really excited about right now is I want to build a motorsports property with Legacy Motor Club. I feel like there is a way to not be exactly like a stick-and-ball franchise, but there are many aspects that can be. And motorsports, you know, it’s a lifestyle, and there is a lifestyle branding opportunity that’s here for legacy.” This statement underscores Johnson’s intent to create a brand that taps into fan lifestyles, much like how sports teams expand into merchandise and events.

Beyond just racing, Johnson emphasized the need to solidify his own image first to support the team’s growth. He added, “But before I really get there, I’ve got to make sure that my legacy and my brand is where it needs to be to then have it spill over into the company. And so that’s the journey that I’m on right now. Yeah. And I’m finally seeing it cuz I’m on the other side.” This reflects his shift from driver to owner, where he admits past focus was purely on-track, now pivoting to off-track strategies that could draw in partnerships.

Legacy’s current setup, with Jones in the No. 43 and Nemechek in the No. 42, saw limited success last season, nabbing only a handful of top-10s across 36 races. Johnson, who made part-time starts in 2023 in the No. 84, knows on-track results are key, but his plan to branch into areas like potential dealership ties or broader fan engagement could stabilize finances.

This mirrors efforts by past icons, though Johnson’s path avoids the pitfalls that hit Dale Earnhardt Inc. after Earnhardt Sr.‘s 2001 passing. For fans rooting for underdogs, it’s encouraging to see how legal wins like this injunction might give Johnson the stability to chase these ambitions without distractions.