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Nemechek loses seat in Cup Series
FIELD LEVEL MEDIA
John Hunter Nemechek drives during the NASCAR Cup Series Anduril
250 on June 21 at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego.
KARL ANDERSON, IMAGN IMAGES
Legacy Motor Club announced that John Hunter Nemechek will not return to drive the No. 42 Toyota in the NASCAR Cup Series next season.
Nemechek, 29, has been with the Jimmie Johnson-owned team since the 2024 season. He has only one top-five finish and two top-10 efforts in 26 starts this season.
"Legacy Motor Club has made the decision to part ways with John Hunter Nemechek at the conclusion of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season," the team said in a statement Wednesday. "We are grateful for John Hunter's contributions to Legacy Motor Club and appreciate his professionalism and commitment to the organization throughout his time with the team. We remain focused on finishing the 2026 season strong together and wish John Hunter the very best in the future."
Nemechek is still looking for his first win in the NASCAR Cup Series after collecting 11 checkered flags in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series and 13 in the Craftsman Truck Series.
"I am incredibly grateful to Legacy Motor Club for the past three years," he said in a statement. "While I am obviously disappointed with their decision, I am as motivated as ever. It has been such an honor to represent Toyota, Legacy Motor Club and all of their sponsors. I can't wait to continue this journey, as I know my best days are ahead.
"This is a tough sport, and I am so thankful for the love and support from Tyler Gibbs, Jack Irving, everyone at Pye Barker, my JHN Autosports team, and so many others that have kept me lifted up through good times and bad. For now, I'm going to hug my family, focus on putting together 10 great races to finish the year, and figuring out what comes next."
Legacy Motor Club has not announced a replacement driver for the No. 42 car.
The NASCAR Cup Series continues Sunday with the playoff opener at Darlington Raceway.
Dodgers open to IL stint for superstar Ohtani
FIELD LEVEL MEDIA
The Los Angeles Dodgers are entertaining all options as it relates to the health of two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, including a stint on the injured list.
Ohtani shook his right arm and winced after striking out for the fourth time during Los Angeles' 8-6 loss in 10 innings to the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.
Later Wednesday night, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts broke the news to Ohtani that he wouldn't be in Thursday's lineup.
"It was a text that says, 'You're not playing tomorrow,'" Roberts told reporters Thursday.
Ohtani has been plagued by right biceps pain and left knee issues. The knee soreness has prevented him from pitching since July 3.
Roberts said a stint on the injured list is unlikely, "but not impossible." He considers Ohtani as "day to day."
"It's a good thing to get a day off," Roberts said. "Hopefully (Thursday) helps."
Ohtani's four-strikeout outing was alarming to Roberts.
"You can see the swing wasn't the swing that we're used to seeing," Roberts said. "So, he's not close to optimal. What is going to get him close to being able to perform at the level that you know he expects? That's kind of the question. And time off obviously seems logical, so I'm not blind to that."
Roberts said Ohtani wants to play.
"He definitely doesn't want to take the day," Roberts said. "He feels that, I know, speaking for him, I know he feels that he needs to post and be in the lineup. If he's upright, he should play. I respect that. But if he's feeling the way that visibly looks, then really not helping anyone. So that's the conversation I'll have with him."
Ohtani, 32, is 2-for-23 with 11 strikeouts in his last six games. He is batting .279 with 30 homers and 80 RBIs in 129 games this season.
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