Uncertainty looms over the Legacy Motor Club as NASCAR Cup Series driver Erik Jones revealed doubts regarding the future of his crew chief, Ben Beshore.
Speaking from the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL prior to the practice sessions, Jones openly addressed his uncertainty about Beshore’s tenure with the team in 2025. Despite being weeks away from the conclusion of the 2024 season, the question of who will guide Jones and his No. 43 Family Dollar Toyota Camry XSE next year remains unanswered.
Jones candidly described the current arrangement with Beshore as a “trial period.” The ongoing season has left much to be desired for Jones and the Legacy Motor Club, compelling the team to consider potential adjustments. Jones explained to the media:
“I would say that it is a trial period currently. It looks like that’s going to be the rest of the season – here with five races left. As far as next year goes, I don’t know how that alignment looks. We haven’t got that far down the road, so I’m getting to know Ben (Beshore) and getting to know him through these next few.
“As far as what the change looks like, obviously, we haven’t performed where we have wanted too, so at the end of the day, you have to do something different, whether him being involved in that system longer makes a big difference, I’m not sure.
“I haven’t worked with Ben one-on-one this season, only from a far, so I don’t really know the answer to that, but I think right now it is a trial period to hopefully see some change and see some results. We want to get something moving in a different direction.”
Erik Jones has been at the helm of the No. 43 car for Legacy Motor Club since 2021. His achievements include winning the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in 2022.
Legacy Motor Club, on the other hand, holds a historic standing in NASCAR. After a major transaction in December 2021, Maury Gallagher acquired a majority interest in Richard Petty Motorsports, rebranding it initially as Petty GMS Motorsports and later, in January 2023, as Legacy Motor Club. The team, co-owned by Gallagher and legendary driver Jimmie Johnson, fields three cars and has a significant presence in the motorsport field. The addition of Jimmie Johnson to the ownership group only increased the team’s weight in the NASCAR community, given his seven-time championship winning record.
This comes after the team confirmed earlier this week that Beshore would replace Jones’s previous crew chief, Dave Elenz, with immediate effect. The team confirmed in a statement at the time:
“LEGACY M.C. and Dave Elenz have parted ways, and the organization would like to thank Dave for his stewardship of the No. 43 over the past three seasons.
“In continuation of the competition realignment, Ben Beshore will move to the No. 43 team as crew chief for Erik Jones. Newly appointed Technical Director, Brian Campe, will serve as interim crew chief for the No. 42 of John Hunter Nemechek effective this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.”
Although Beshore is with Jones until the rest of the season, the team is yet to confirm who will be working with the driver in 2025.
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