Despite Jimmie Johnson’s less than stellar performance in the Daytona 500, LMC’s main drivers, John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones, managed to kick off the 2024 season on a high note.
Following a last-lap caution that halted the race, Nemechek secured a commendable seventh-place finish, while Jones closely followed in eighth. This marks a significant improvement from the previous year, where all three LMC entries finished 24th or lower.
In contrast, Johnson, who barely qualified for the 500 in a third LMC vehicle, faced early challenges and ultimately settled for 28th place.
Reflecting on the race, Johnson expressed a mix of satisfaction and disappointment, stating, “It was so good to get two top-10s for the No. 42 and No. 43. I hoped to race a little longer before we got in a wreck, but it’s just a matter of time before you get caught up in something here.”
The new Toyota Camry XSE exhibited impressive speed during the Daytona race, despite potential compromises in single-car qualifying performance. Both Nemechek and Jones, starting 10th and 11th respectively, showcased their prowess by maneuvering towards the front of the pack at various points.
Nemechek commented on the team’s performance, saying, “Solid Daytona 500, solid start to our year. Ran up front for a little bit, rode around for a while and stayed out of the carnage. Overall, really proud of everyone at Legacy Motor Club.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Jones acknowledged the challenges faced during the race, including issues on pit road and involvement in a multi-car accident. Despite these setbacks, Jones remains optimistic, stating, “It’s a good start to the season. I’ve not had good luck at the start of the season at Daytona, so we will take a top-10.”
Looking ahead, both drivers are eager to build on their Daytona performance as they prepare for the upcoming race in Atlanta.
