The year was 2020. Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing, had a choice to make. With affiliate team Leavine Family Racing set to close at the end of the season, the team needed a ride for rookie development driver Christopher Bell. Their only opening was the No. 20, driven for three years by Erik Jones.
Despite two playoffs appearances and an impressive Southern 500 win the season before, JGR ultimately let Jones go due to a disappointing 2020 where the fourth-year Cup driver missed the playoffs.
Following this season, Erik Jones moved to Richard Petty Motorsports to pilot their No. 43. And now, five years later, the No. 43 has become a long-term home for Jones through multiple ownership group changes and manufacturers. And, when the 30-year-old takes the green flag for the 2026 South Point 40o at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, he will become the second-longest tenured driver of the iconic number. He still sits 916 starts away from tying Richard Petty.
The First 208 Starts
2021 was a somewhat underwhelming first season for the combination. Jones finished 24th in points with six top-10s, but had a best finish of only seventh place in the chaotic Indianapolis Road Course race. This, undoubtedly, was a step back for both parties. The season before, Jones had nine top-5s and thirteen top-10s while the No. 43 had a top-5, five top-10s, and a 22nd place points finish with Bubba Wallace behind the wheel.
The next season saw sweeping changes. As the Cup Series debuted the Gen-7 car, Richard Petty Motorsports became Petty GMS Motorsports.
2022 was Jones’ best season in the No. 43. He finished 18th in points, capturing three top-5s, thirteen top-10s, and a third career victory in the Southern 500. This broke a three-season long winless streak for Jones and an eight-year winless streak for the No. 43. Aric Almirola, who entered this weekend as the second-longest tenured No. 43 driver, was the last winner in the car during the 2014 summer race at Daytona International Speedway.
2023 saw yet another adjustment, with Jimmie Johnson joining the ownership group. Additionally, the newly renamed Legacy Motor Club announced in the middle of that season that they would switch to Toyota for 2024. With change comes instability, which was reflected in Jones’ results. 2023 was down from 2022, with only one top-5, seven top-10s, and a 27th-place points finish. 2024 was even worse, with only one top-5, two top-10s, and a 28th-place points finish. Additionally, an injury took Jones out of the car for two races that season.
With the past five seasons behind them, Jones entered 2025 with true stability. This stability showed in his results, with four top-5s, five top-10s, and a 24th-place points finish. 2026 has been even stronger, as Jones was in contention for a Chase spot until the final weeks of the Regular Season. He currently sits 21st in points with six races to go in the season.
Start 209 and More
With six races left to go in 2026, Talladega Superspeedway stands out as Jones’ best chance for another top-5 or even a fourth career victory. Jones and Legacy have been their best at the “big tracks”. Every top-5 Jones has earned in the No. 43 has come at a track a mile and a half or longer.
Even if Talladega does not see a top-5, Jones will have plenty of other opportunities to. As confirmed on September 27, Jones signed a multi-year extension to continue piloting the No. 43.
“I’m excited to continue to be a part of what LEGACY MOTOR CLUB is building,” Jones said. “I took over the No. 43 in 2021, and it’s become a big part of my career. Through every change, we continue to get better and I’m happy to be a part of that. Especially this season, I feel like we’ve hit on something and been consistent. I’m thankful to get the chance to continue building on that in the years to come.”
Much like other years for Legacy Motor Club, change is afoot. The organization will expand their team in 2027, running their No. 84, which has been part-time for Jimmie Johnson since 2023, full-time with Riley Herbst. Joining the lineup for next season is Josh Berry who will pilot the No. 42 for a departing John Hunter Nemechek. Now, Erik Jones will lead the charge as a proven lead driver for the growing team.
