John Hunter Nemechek will not return to Legacy Motor Club for the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season. Piloting the No. 42 Toyota, Nemechek is in his third full-time season with the organization and currently ranks 27th in Cup Series points standings.
In the wake of the news, rumors have swirled that Josh Berry is the leading candidate to take over the No. 42 in 2027. Berry currently competes for Wood Brothers Racing in the No. 21 Ford. However, Berry is being replaced by Jesse Love in 2027.
John Hunter Nemechek out, Josh Berry possibly in at LMC
Jordan Bianchi, motorsports writer for The Athletic, was first to break the news of Nemechek’s release from LMC, a team co-owned by seven-time Cup champions Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson.
In addition, Bianchi said Legacy is taking a close look at Berry as the possible new driver of the No. 42 for 2027.
“NEWS: John Hunter Nemechek won’t return to Legacy Motor Club in 2027, sources tell [The Athletic]. Josh Berry is considered the leading candidate to replace Nemechek,” Bianchi wrote via X.
Berry has been on a recent hot streak in the Cup Series. After struggles throughout the 2026 season that saw the Tennessee native record five DNFs, Berry has strung together five straight top-10 finishes.
Two of those were top-five results, including a third-place result at New Hampshire two races ago that saw Berry pace the field for 73 laps.
Perhaps most impressive is that Berry had the best average finish in the Cup Series for the month of August with a 6.0 average result.
Unfortunately for Berry, the early-season woes mired him back in the standings as he ranks 28th in the Cup Series heading into the final 10 races of the season.
Nemechek, meanwhile, has faced struggles of his own. The driver of the No. 42 has posted only one top-five effort and two top-10 finishes. As he sits 27th in the points standings, Nemechek has earned an average finish of 22nd.
Possible landing spots for John Hunter Nemechek in 2027
Nemechek’s release from Legacy Motor Club comes at an inopportune time for the North Carolina native. As the 2026 Cup Series Chase is about to begin, nearly every ride in the Cup garage has been filled for 2027.
It will be difficult for Nemechek to land a full-time Cup Series ride at this point, but it is not impossible.
Ty Dillon has yet to sign an extension to field the No. 10 Kaulig Racing car, an organization expected to switch to Dodge in 2027. Without an announcement yet, it is possible Nemechek could land a spot with Kaulig.
While Cole Custer is not confirmed to return to Haas Factory Team in 2027, the former O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion is expected to be back behind the wheel of the No. 41 car. Haas Factory Team is expected to switch to Chevrolet next year.
With the 2026 Cup Series season wrapping up, Nemechek does not have a lot of options to choose from for next year.
Yet, as a 11-time NOAPS winner and a 13-time victor in the Craftsman Truck Series, Nemechek could easily find a ride in one of those series if he cannot find his way back in Cup for 2027.
John Hunter Nemechek Leaving Legacy Motor Club After 2026