NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson continues to make bold moves as co-owner of Legacy Motor Club (LMC), reshaping the team into a force to be reckoned with in NASCAR. From a complete rebranding to a high-profile switch from Chevrolet to Toyota Racing Development (TRD), Johnson’s leadership is leaving no stone unturned. But the latest addition to the team may be one of the most significant yet.
LMC has secured the services of Brian Campe, a veteran race strategist and engineer, poaching him from Hendrick Motorsports, one of the most successful teams in NASCAR history. Johnson, who spent the majority of his career at Hendrick, sees Campe’s experience and technical expertise as a cornerstone for building LMC into a championship-caliber team.
“The addition of a talent like Brian Campe is integral to the success of LEGACY M.C.,” said Johnson in a team press release. “Brian’s experience with championship teams like Hendrick and Penske will make him a huge asset to LEGACY M.C., and we are eager to see the improvement his leadership will bring to the engineering arm of the CLUB.”
Campe’s NASCAR resume is extensive, having worked with Dale Earnhardt Inc., JR Motorsports, Hendrick Motorsports, and even ventured into IndyCar with Team Penske. He’s well-versed in handling high-stakes motorsport environments and played a pivotal role in Jimmie Johnson’s ambitious Indy 500-Coke 600 double duty project. With over two decades of motorsport experience, Campe’s arrival at LMC signals the team’s intent to climb the ranks and compete with NASCAR’s elite.
LMC’s CEO Cal Wells III echoed Johnson’s excitement, highlighting Campe’s signing as part of a broader push to attract top-tier talent. Wells believes that this high-profile hire will help restore LMC to its former glory, as it works towards re-establishing the team as a major player in the NASCAR Cup Series.
“LEGACY M.C. has been on a mission to acquire world-class team members,” Wells said. “That quest has led us to some extraordinary people that now includes Brian Campe. There’s no doubt the opportunity to have Brian lead our engineering efforts into the future will ultimately place LEGACY M.C. among the truly elite within NASCAR’s Cup Series.”
LMC’s switch to Toyota and Johnson’s relentless pursuit of excellence have transformed the team into an exciting project in the NASCAR paddock. While instant success hasn’t followed their brand overhaul and move to TRD, Johnson’s vision and investments continue to lay the groundwork for long-term success. With Campe now on board, LMC has taken another significant step toward realizing its ambitions.
The move has already garnered attention within the NASCAR world, especially with Hendrick Motorsports losing one of their key engineers. Campe’s experience with championship-winning teams is expected to bring much-needed expertise to Legacy Motor Club’s engineering department, particularly as they continue developing their performance in the Toyota camp.
As LMC moves into the 2025 season and beyond, all eyes will be on how the team evolves with its new leadership structure and technical expertise. Can Johnson’s aggressive moves and Campe’s know-how push the team back to the front of the grid? Time will tell, but with these types of signings, LMC is clearly on a path to becoming a serious contender once again.
