When Ryan Preece came home with the victory at the end of the NASCAR Cup Series season finale at Daytona, it really was two paydays, one for the RFK Racing driver and one for Jimmie Johnson's Legacy Motor Club.

The driver now gets into the Chase for the Cup Series championship. However, the Charter that the car Preece was racing this year is leased for the year, and next year it goes to the driver's team, meaning Legacy Motor Club gets to reap financial rewards.

"I think that put another $1 million into his (Johnson's) pocket," said Brad Keselows, co-owner of RFK Racing, at Darlington Raceway.

The Charter that Preece's No. 60 team was utilizing in 2024 is one that RFK Racing has leased from Rick Ware Racing for the season. Teams may only lease a Charter for one season. As Johnson's team bought that Charter from RWR in a lawsuit settlement, they know that they own that Charter from 2027 on.

The Legacy Motor Club's drivers Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek started the season opener of the Darlington Cup series ranked 21 and 29 respectively in owner points. As of this point, Preece will finish at 16 in owner points at best.

"I was sending texts to [Chip Bowers, President of RFK Racing] during that last green-white-checker on if there would be fuel to make it," said Johnson. "My answer was 'I don't know. A few prayers were offered up that 60 would bring home the win on the Draft Tracker.

Since RFK Racing does not seem like they would be able to buy a Charter for next year, Keselowski announced on behalf of RFK Racing that Preece would probably run as an open car in 2027, meaning he will not have a guaranteed starting position within the 36 races.

"We have 2 Charters for 3 cars next year; we are going to more than likely run a third unchartered, short of some unforeseen event taking place that's out of our awareness," Keselowski said. "We can only continue to go on with what we have".

Keselowski states the only problematic season opener is likely to run with more entries than starting spots, and that would be at the Daytona 500 at the start of the 2027 season.

Written by

Lakshya