Legacy Motor Club will temporarily assign driver John Hunter Nemechek the No. 40 for a single NASCAR Cup race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, turning the number into a promotional tribute to the 40th anniversary of its longtime sponsor, Dollar Tree.
Celebrating a milestone
The gesture marks the first time the storied No. 40 has appeared on a Chevrolet since 2002, a car that last celebrated a victory with Jamie McMurray and Chip Ganassi Racing.
Nemechek, who has been with the team since the 2022 season, has been piloting the No. 42 ever since, a number that will remain active for all other races and will continue to accrue points toward the championship.
Mid‑season number changes are uncommon in the Cup Series, though Kevin Harvick famously swapped the No. 29 for the All‑Star Race while still fielding the No. 4 for the remainder of the year.
Looking ahead
In February 2026, Hendrick Motorsports plans to assign the No. 48 to Jimmie Johnson for what will be his final Cup start, while Alex Bowman is slated to drive a yet‑to‑be‑announced number in the 2027 Daytona 500.
The No. 40 has a long pedigree, having logged 951 starts, secured nine wins, and last tasted victory in 2002; it was also used by Justin Allgaier in the 2025 Daytona 500 for JR Motorsports.