Broker under legal scrutiny for dubious dealings in NASCAR charter agreement between Legacy Motor Club and Rick Ware Racing, as claimed in a lawsuit filed by the club.
In the world of NASCAR, a significant legal dispute is unfolding between Legacy Motor Club and T.J. Puchyr, a motorsports consultant, over a charter agreement. The case, currently active in North Carolina Superior Court, centres around a disagreement over a charter purchase that could potentially impact Legacy Motor Club's plans to field a third full-time Cup Series car in the 2026 season.
The dispute began in April 2025, when Legacy Motor Club entered into a contract with Rick Ware Racing to buy one of their charters for the 2026 season. However, Rick Ware Racing later reneged on the agreement, claiming the contract year was mistakenly for 2026 instead of 2027 due to a lease agreement with another team, RFK Racing.
T.J. Puchyr, who acted as a consultant for Legacy through his firm Rucus under an Independent Contractor Agreement, helped broker the original deal between Legacy and Rick Ware Racing. However, Legacy Motor Club alleges that Puchyr wrongfully interfered with their purchase by inducing Rick Ware Racing to break the contract and making an underhanded attempt to buy Rick Ware Racing and its charters during the ongoing dispute.
Legacy Motor Club accuses Puchyr of using his insider knowledge and position of trust to interfere, violating the North Carolina Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act. They also allege that Puchyr launched public personal attacks against Jimmie Johnson, part-owner of Legacy Motor Club, amid the controversy.
In July 2025, Legacy Motor Club filed a lawsuit against Puchyr, accusing him of tortious interference and wrongdoing in trying to obtain Rick Ware Racing "under the cover of darkness" before Legacy could stop this. Rick Ware Racing had indicated plans to potentially expedite a sale to Puchyr, further worrying Legacy’s attorneys who feared losing control over their agreed charter.
This case is part of a larger set of legal battles involving at least five lawsuits related to NASCAR charter disputes. Two other teams, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, are locked in a prolonged lawsuit with NASCAR over antitrust allegations, which are crucial to a team's survival in NASCAR's business model.
Despite the ongoing legal battles, NASCAR has no intention of renegotiating the charter agreements held by 30 other teams. Notably, Jimmie Johnson, despite his own legal fight, expressed support for a settlement in the antitrust case, and Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23XI Racing, also supports a settlement.
However, in the case of Legacy Motor Club and T.J. Puchyr, NASCAR has asked for settlement proposals but has heard nothing from the two parties. As of mid-July 2025, the matter is active in court, with judges warning parties of "serious ramifications" if contracts are breached or sales expedited without court approval.
In summary, the crux of the lawsuit is Legacy Motor Club accusing T.J. Puchyr of using his insider role to sabotage Legacy’s NASCAR charter purchase from Rick Ware Racing, attempting to buy the team and charters himself amid contentious contract disputes. The case remains unresolved, with aggressive litigation and negotiation ongoing between the involved parties.
[1] https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2022/06/13/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NASCAR-charters.aspx [2] https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/news/leagues-and-governing-bodies/nascar-teams-file-antitrust-lawsuit-against-nascar [3] https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/news/legacy-motorsports-sues-tj-puchyr-for-alleged-interference-in-charter-deal/ [4] https://www.nbcsports.com/motors/nascar/legacy-motorsports-sues-tj-puchyr-over-rick-ware-racing-charter-dispute
In the midst of financial disputes surrounding NASCAR, the business world is closely watching the continuing legal battle between Legacy Motor Club and sports consultant T.J. Puchyr. The dispute, centering on a charter agreement for a NASCAR charter, has also revealed allegations of Puchyr's interference in the affair, involving sports and finance matters, potentially impacting Legacy Motor Club's sports business prospects.
