Brother of legendary NASCAR driver sued for fraud over unfinished classic car
The brother of legendary NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson was sued Thursday over accusations of fraud, breach of contract and “unjust enrichment” stemming from a never-refurbished classic car.
Lee Chapman, a self-described car enthusiast from the United Kingdom, paid at least $140,000 in advance to have Jarit Johnson restore his 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle Coupe in 2021, according to Chapman’s lawsuit in Iredell County Civil Superior Court.
Chapman chose Johnson and his team of restorers because they “purported to be NASCAR and racing guys,” his lawsuit says.
After five years of failed promises, Chapman finally had the car towed from Johnson’s car restoration business in Troutman, the lawsuit says.
Chapman sent multiple messages over the years to Johnson and two of the restorers assisting him, according to Chapman’s complaint.
He either never heard back or was told the car would be completed in a few more weeks or months, the lawsuit says.
“I’ve given you six figures”
Chapman recounts the messages in his lawsuit, including:
• Dec. 9, 2024: “I have $120,000 of my hard-earned money out there. Where is my car ... I am sick of this. I really am. Someone buy me out. I want out of this project now. I am going to have a breakdown.”
• April 4, 2025: “I’ve given you six figures of my families money. Why have you treated me like this.”
In a reply message dated May 1, 2025, Johnson said one of the other workers “has been digging on it. Around 60 days out.”
On Dec. 19, 2025, Chapman served Johnson with a notice titled, “End of Delays – Final Demand for Completion,” according to the lawsuit.
On June 9, Chapman recovered the Chevelle and its parts from Johnson with the help of a third-party company unnamed in the lawsuit.
“The recovery process and subsequent inspection and inventory showed the Defendants had thoroughly misrepresented the progress of the rebuild and the condition of the Chevelle to Chapman,” according to the complaint.
Damages sought
An inventory found that Chapman was invoiced at least $37,000 in parts that “were missing or never ordered,” the lawsuit says.
An “inspection revealed that much of the work that had been completed by and through the Defendants was of poor condition and will need to be redone,” Chapman says in the complaint.
The lawsuit seeks at least $175,000 in damages and asks a jury to triple whatever it decides to award. No court date has been scheduled.
Attempts by The Charlotte Observer to reach Johnson and another restorer listed as a defendant were unsuccessful Friday. Johnson and his business have no phone listings in public records, and the Facebook page of the business doesn’t allow messages. Two phone numbers for the other restorer were out of service.
No lawyers are listed in the case file for Johnson and the other man.
This story was originally published July 17, 2026 at 2:37 PM with the headline "Brother of legendary NASCAR driver sued for fraud over unfinished classic car."