Legacy Motor Club (LMC) is set to make its debut in the Extreme E championship, an international off-road racing series, with drivers Travis Pastrana and Gray Leadbetter. LMC, which already fields two full-time entries in NASCAR’s Cup Series, is eager to take on this new challenge. The team’s decision to enter the championship is seen as a significant achievement, especially following the departure of other well-known teams such as Lewis Hamilton’s X44, Chip Ganassi Racing, and the Abt Cupra team. Championship manager Ali Russell describes LMC’s entry as “a huge coup.”
For Jimmie Johnson, a record-tying seven-time Cup Series champion, the opportunity to field an off-road vehicle in the Extreme E championship is both exciting and a chance to represent America on the global stage. Johnson expresses his enthusiasm for watching the Legacy Motor Club colors race for the first time on foreign soil while he is participating in the “Great American Race” in Daytona. He believes that Travis Pastrana and Gray Leadbetter will showcase the team’s capabilities in this highly competitive series.
Travis Pastrana and Gray Leadbetter, both making their Extreme E debuts, bring their respective skills and experiences to the Legacy Motor Club team. Leadbetter, at just 19 years old, has already achieved significant milestones in her career. She became the first woman to win a U.S. Pro Class Championship in the Championship Off-Road closed-course series, as well as the youngest competitor to win a Sportsman SXS race. Leadbetter, who started competing in Arenacross at the tender age of five, expresses her excitement about the opportunity to race alongside Jimmie Johnson and Legacy M.C.
Travis Pastrana, a motorsports legend and a three-time motocross champion, adds even more star power to the team. With multiple X Games gold medals and a diverse racing career that includes a NASCAR outing at the Daytona 500, Pastrana brings a wealth of experience to the table. While he may not have driven an Extreme E Odyssey 21 before, Pastrana’s expertise in electric vehicles and off-road events makes him a valuable asset to the team. He firmly believes in Jimmie Johnson and Legacy M.C.’s mission, making his decision to join the team an easy one.
Jimmie Johnson, despite his commitments in NASCAR, plans to participate in some Extreme E events as his schedule permits. He acknowledges the technical advancements in the championship, especially the transition to hydrogen power by the 2025 season. The motorsports community is closely watching this change, and Johnson finds it intriguing. He sees it as an opportunity for the entire industry to learn and progress.
Legacy Motor Club’s entry into the Extreme E championship is a significant milestone for the team. With the star power of Jimmie Johnson, Travis Pastrana, and Gray Leadbetter, the team is poised to represent America on the global stage. Their participation in this unique and competitive series will undoubtedly be watched closely by motorsports enthusiasts worldwide. As the championship evolves and transitions to hydrogen power, it presents new and exciting opportunities for the entire motorsports community.
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