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Category: XFINITY Series News

NASCAR XFINITY Series News

  • Ty Dillon joins Joe Gibbs Racing for select Xfinity events

    Ty Dillon joins Joe Gibbs Racing for select Xfinity events

    Another name has been added to Joe Gibbs Racing’s lineup for the 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series season after it was announced that Ty Dillon will be joining the organization and pilot the No. 54 Toyota Supra on a part-time basis.

    The 28-year-old native from Lewisville, North Carolina, will make his first start with JGR in the Xfinity Series season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway on February 13. He is also scheduled to compete at Homestead-Miami Speedway on February 27, Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 6 and at Talladega Superspeedway on April 24.

    Dillon is coming off his fourth full-time season with Germain Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. With Germain Racing ceasing operations due to sponsor GEICO parting ways from the team, Dillon was initially left without a ride heading into the 2021 season. Currently, he has joined forces with Gaunt Brothers Racing to drive the No. 96 Toyota Camry as he attempts to qualify for the 63rd annual running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14.

    The 2021 Xfinity Series season will mark Dillon’s first appearance in the series since he made select starts in 2018 with Richard Childress Racing. In 146 previous starts, he has recorded one victory, which occurred at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July 2014. He has also recorded four poles, 33 top-five results, 88 top-10 results, 586 laps led, an average result of 10.5 and a best points result of third place in 2015.

    “I am so thankful and excited for the opportunity to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota,” Dillon said. “They have been on top of the sport for a long time and this is a great opportunity for me to go prove that I am a winner and show what I know I can do in a race car.”

    Dillon will serve as one of multiple competitors to pilot JGR’s No. 54 “all-star” car throughout the 2021 Xfinity Series season, including Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr. and Ty Gibbs. Busch, the all-time winningest driver in the Xfinity circuit with 97 career victories, will compete at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 20, Circuit of the Americas on May 22, Texas Motor Speedway on June 12, Nashville Superspeedway on June 19 and at Road America on July 3. Truex, a two-time Xfinity champion who has not competed in series since 2010, will drive the No. 54 Toyota Supra at Atlanta Motor Speedway on July 10 while Hamlin, the reigning three-time Daytona 500 champion, will make his series’ one-race appearance at Darlington Raceway on September 4 during Labor Day Weekend. Gibbs, a full-time ARCA Menards Series competitor for JGR and a newcomer to the Xfinity Series, will compete in select events, beginning at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course on February 20. Chris Gayle will be serving as crew chief for the No. 54 team.

    “Ty Dillon is going to be a great addition to our Xfinity lineup,” Steve de Souza, Executive Vice President of Xfinity Series and Development for Joe Gibbs Racing, added. “Ty has a lot of experience across the board and that will definitely be an asset to our whole group as we get going this season.”

    A full schedule of Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 54 Toyota team for the 2021 Xfinity Series season will be announced at a later date.

  • Ferrucci to transition to NASCAR with Sam Hunt Racing after IndyCar campaign

    Ferrucci to transition to NASCAR with Sam Hunt Racing after IndyCar campaign

    After two seasons in the NTT IndyCar Series with Dale Coyne Racing, Santino Ferrucci will be making his NASCAR XFINITY Series debut at Homestead-Miami on February 27. Ferrucci will be piloting the No. 26 Toyota Supra on a part-time basis during the 2021 season in a schedule primarily focused on speedways and short tracks.

    Prior to his two seasons in the IndyCar Series Ferrucci raced overseas working up the Formula ladder, his final season coming in 2018 in what was a controversial campaign in Formula 2. Ferrucci was banned from four events after deliberate contact with his teammate Arjun Maini; further controversy arose when he was caught driving between the Formula 1 and 2 paddocks while texting on a cell phone. Ferrucci was fined €6,000 ($7,334.99 USD).

    Repeated controversy has given Ferrucci something of a negative reputation in the racing world, however his performance behind the wheel has yielded some strong, consistent results. In 2019 Ferrucci’s seventh-place finish in the Indianapolis 500 earned him the Rookie of the Race award, and a year later in the 500 Ferrucci would tie his career-best finish of fourth. In both of his IndyCar seasons his best points finish was 13th.

    Ferrucci has no previous stock car experience aside from a Super Late Model test at Caraway Speedway in North Carolina, although in 2021 he will be making his second Chili Bowl Midget Nationals start against some of NASCAR’s top stars. Ferrucci and Hunt both hope that their alliance with Toyota Racing Development could give him the backing he needs to post strong results.

    Team owner Sam Hunt has made it clear that this will be a learning curve for Ferrucci, but otherwise he’s confident in Ferrucci’s ability behind the wheel.

    “Santino’s passion and drive was apparent the first time we sat down together,” Hunt said. “I had heard about him, seen some stories from open wheel, but waited to form my opinion until we spent some time together one on one. He’s a great kid. He’s passionate, and he’s ready to learn the race craft of NASCAR.

    “He’s situationally aware and works hard for every sponsor and investor he has. I have no doubts that he will be a strong competitor for us once he learns how these heavy cars drive, and how these races run. We are all excited to get to work with him.”

    Sam Hunt Racing was formed as DRIVE Technology in 2013, fielding NASCAR K&N Pro Series entries for Hunt in a pair of part-time campaigns. The organization’s first season in the XFINITY Series was in 2020, with Colin Garrett, Brandon Gdovic, and Mason Diaz making starts for the team.

  • NASCAR sets 2021 Dash 4 Cash, Triple Truck Challenge schedule

    NASCAR sets 2021 Dash 4 Cash, Triple Truck Challenge schedule

    NASCAR announced the return of the Xfinity Series’ Dash 4 Cash and the Camping World Truck Series’ Triple Truck Challenge programs for the 2021 season. In addition, the venues for both programs were also unveiled, featuring new locations.

    For the Xfinity Series, the Dash 4 Cash program will run in four consecutive weeks, with the first event occurring at Martinsville Speedway on April 9. Next will be Talladega Superspeedway on April 24 followed by Darlington Raceway on May 8, which also marks NASCAR’s Throwback Weekend. The program will conclude the following weekend at Dover International Speedway on May 15. This will mark the first Dash 4 Cash event held by all tracks, except for Talladega and at Dover.

    For the Truck Series, the Triple Truck Challenge, also known as “The Trip”, will occur in three consecutive events, with the first to occur at Darlington Raceway on May 7. The program will continue two weeks later with the series’ inaugural event at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Finally, the program will conclude the following weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This will mark the first Triple Truck Challenge event held by all three tracks.

    Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images.

    The 2021 NASCAR season will mark the 13th appearance for the Xfinity Series’ Dash 4 Cash program and the third for the Truck Series’ Triple Truck Challenge.

    In 2020 and amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Xfinity Series’ Dash 4 Cash program occurred at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway and at Pocono Raceway, all in June. Noah Gragson, A.J. Allmendinger and Ross Chastain each claimed a Dash 4 Cash bonus for themselves, with Allmendinger winning the bonus twice.

    In addition, the 2020 Truck Series’ Triple Truck Challenge program occurred at the inaugural Daytona International Speedway Road Course, Dover International Speedway and at Gateway’s World Wide Technology Raceway, all in August. Zane Smith claimed the bonus at Dover while teammate and last year’s Truck Series champion Sheldon Creed won the other two bonuses at Daytona and at Gateway.

    The formats along with the eligibility requirements and bonus purse information for both of the series’ programs in 2021 will be announced at a later date.

  • Bass Pro Shops, TrueTimber® and Black Rifle Coffee Extend Partnership with Gragson and JRM’s No. 9 Team for 2021

    Bass Pro Shops, TrueTimber® and Black Rifle Coffee Extend Partnership with Gragson and JRM’s No. 9 Team for 2021

    MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Nov. 19, 2020) – JR Motorsports announced today the return of Bass Pro Shops, TrueTimber® Camo and Black Rifle Coffee as co-primary partners aboard Noah Gragson’s No. 9 entry for all 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series events in 2021. The news comes as Gragson wraps up the first year of the trio’s partnership with a standout two-win season and a strong top-five finish in the NXS point standings.

    “I’m excited that Bass Pro Shops will continue to support Noah,” said Dale Earnhardt Jr., owner of JR Motorsports. “He really made an impression on Johnny [Morris], Rusty [Sellars], and Evan [Hafer] this past year. Noah put a lot of effort into making that new relationship a successful one. It’s refreshing to watch a driver really invest time in the partners that support JR Motorsports. Everyone at JRM is thankful for the continued support of Bass Pro Shops, TrueTimber, and Black Rifle Coffee Company.” 

    The Bass Pro Shops, TrueTimber and Black Rifle Coffee pairing has netted success from the very beginning. Gragson, a 22-year-old Las Vegas native, kicked off the partnership with a victory in the season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway earlier this year. He followed up with a win at Bristol Motor Speedway en route to a season-ending tally of 17 top-five and 25 top-10 finishes, all career bests. Among the highlights was an impressive string of seven consecutive finishes of eighth or better.

    “We think the world of Noah and his passion for racing, which is why we’re excited to keep the momentum going in 2021,” said noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops Founder Johnny Morris, an avid racing fan. “We’re also happy to continue alongside our friends at TrueTimber and Black Rifle Coffee, and very grateful and proud to keep rolling with Dale Jr., Kelley and the JR Motorsports team next year.”

    With more than 177 retail locations throughout the United States and Canada, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s stands as the trusted source for quality fishing, hunting, boating and outdoor sporting goods. TrueTimber®, the proprietary camo brand sold at Bass Pro Shops, provides realistic camouflage patterns that offer better concealment and versatility in the outdoors. Based in Salt Lake City, Black Rifle Coffee is a premium, small-batch, roast-to-order coffee company whose wares are carried at Bass Pro Shops.

    “We are thrilled to continue our involvement with JR Motorsports,” said TrueTimber CEO Rusty Sellars. “Noah had a great season and really showed us all just how much potential he has. We love seeing him keep the No. 9 car at the front of the pack and we look forward to his continued success in the 2021 season. We wish JR Motorsports and Noah the best of luck, and we are thrilled to be a part of the team.” 

    ABOUT BASS PRO SHOPS:
    Bass Pro Shops was founded in 1972 by avid young angler Johnny Morris on eight-square-feet of space in the back of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri. Today, the leading national retailer of outdoor gear and apparel has more than 100 retail and marine center locations across North America. Johnny’s passion for the outdoors and his feel for the products and shopping experiences desired by outdoor enthusiasts transformed the industry. Bass Pro Shops locations are more than just stores — they are true destination experiences that draw more than 120 million visitors annually. Each location is heavily customized to reflect the character of the region. In addition to giant aquariums teeming with live fish and extensive wildlife mounts and dioramas, many locations feature unique restaurants and ocean-themed bowling alleys.

    ABOUT TRUETIMBER® OUTDOORS:
    TrueTimber® Camo, an Inman, S.C., company founded by Rusty Sellars, is a product innovator and designer of photo-realistic camouflage patterns. TrueTimber® was the first to create camo designs using 100% digital photography. Each layer uses digital photos of a hunter’s surroundings to create unmatched three-dimensional patterns to enrich sportsmen’s experiences in the great outdoors no matter where they hunt. For more information, visit TrueTimber®.com. TrueTimber® Camo, WHERE ALMOST REAL ISN’T REAL ENOUGH.

    ABOUT BLACK RIFLE COFFEE COMPANY
    Founded in 2014 by CEO and former U.S. Army Green Beret Evan Hafer, Black Rifle Coffee Company was built on the foundation of providing coffee and culture to the people who love America. More than just a high-quality, roast-to-order coffee company, it’s a veteran-owned business, operated by principled men and women, many who have served their country honorably through military service or as first responders. Black Rifle Coffee Company is dedicated to employing and empowering former service members through its pledge to hire 10,000 veterans and through its commitment to helping entrepreneurial veteran causes.

    ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:
    JR Motorsports is the management company and racing operation for Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR’s 15-time Most Popular Driver and winner of 50 NASCAR-sanctioned races.  Now in its 19th year of overall competition, JR Motorsports races in multiple divisions, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series where it won championships in 2014, 2017 and 2018.  The company also competes in Late Model competition and owns four championships in regional late model divisions.  To learn more about the organization, its drivers and its sponsorship opportunities, visit www.jrmracing.com.

  • Jeb Burton to Drive for Kaulig Racing in 2021 with Nutrien Ag Solutions

    Jeb Burton to Drive for Kaulig Racing in 2021 with Nutrien Ag Solutions

    Lexington, N.C. – (November 16, 2020) – Kaulig Racing announced today the addition of Jeb Burton to its NASCAR Xfinity Series driver lineup. Burton, son of NASCAR legend Ward Burton, will compete for the 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship with primary partner Nutrien Ag Solutions.

    “Jeb is a hard worker on and off the track,” said Chris Rice, president of Kaulig Racing. “He’s a great fit for Kaulig Racing and our partners. I’ve known the Burton family and worked with them back in the 1980’s, so it feels like everything has come full circle. We are going to go out and compete for wins and championships. Jeb is a guy we can build a long term, successful program around.”

    This will be Burton’s first full-time season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving for the championship. In his two full-time seasons competing in the NASCAR Truck Series, Burton collected one win (Texas Motor Speedway), 18 top-10 finishes and seven pole awards.

    “It’s an honor to have this opportunity driving full-time for Kaulig Racing and Nutrien Ag Solutions,” Burton said. “I’ve worked so hard, not only behind the wheel, to get an opportunity like this, and it couldn’t be more perfect – representing a brand with the same values and beliefs as my family. This partnership represents everything we are, and I can’t thank Matt Kaulig, Chris Rice and Nutrien Ag Solutions enough.”

    Nutrien Ag Solutions, the world’s leading agriculture retail, began its partnership with Kaulig Racing in 2019. Since then, the duo has taken the green flag together in 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series events and has collected five runner-up finishes and 24 top 10s, leading the field for a total of 636 laps.

    “Nutrien Ag Solutions is excited to have Jeb behind the wheel of the No. 10 Nutrien Ag Solutions Chevrolet for the 2021 Season,” said Brent Smith, VP of Marketing, Sustainability + Proprietary Products at Nutrien Ag Solutions. “Both Jeb and his dad Ward are longtime customers of ours and have worked tirelessly on agriculture and forestry conservation and sustainability. We can’t wait to lead the field with Jeb.”

    In addition to its primary partnership with Burton, Nutrien Ag Solutions will serve as an associate sponsor at Kaulig Racing and will continue its DocuSeries, “Two-Track Mind,” airing season two in 2021, with Burton’s story.

    About Kaulig Racing™
    Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time multi-car NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started and made the Championship 4 round for the first time in 2020. Kaulig Racing fields two full-time entries; the No. 10 Chevrolet driven by Jeb Burton and the No. 11 Chevrolet driven by Justin Haley, as well as, a part-time entry – the No. 16 driven by AJ Allmendinger. Kaulig Racing™ earned five wins in 2020 and have come to be one of the top competitors on track each weekend. The team also made its first-ever NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) start in the 2020 Daytona 500 with Justin Haley where he finished 13th. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

    About Nutrien Ag Solutions™
    Nutrien Ag Solutions™ is the retail division of Nutrien™ Ltd. It combines global innovation with local expertise to provide full-acre solutions through a network of trusted crop consultants at retail locations around the world. Nutrien Ag Solutions strives to help growers achieve the highest yields with the most sustainable solutions possible, offering a wide selection of products, including our proprietary brands: Loveland Products, Inc.®, Dyna-Gro® Seed and Proven® Seed

  • Joe Graf Jr., Bucked Up Energy surpass 80 thousand entries in contest with less than 24 hours remaining

    Joe Graf Jr., Bucked Up Energy surpass 80 thousand entries in contest with less than 24 hours remaining

    AVONDALE, Ariz: With less than 24 hours remaining, NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Joe Graf Jr. and marketing partner Bucked Up Energy recently reached over 80,000 entries in their ongoing contest which closes shortly before Saturday afternoon’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 200 season finale at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway.

    The contest, which offers entries an opportunity to win either a year’s supply of Bucked Up Energy or over $1,000 in cash will close at 2:00 p.m. ET., on Sat., Nov. 7, 2020.

    “It’s amazing how many entries we received with this contest,” said NASCAR Xfinity Series rookie Joe Graf Jr. “Without the support of Bucked Up Energy, this would not have been possible. While over 80,000 entries is fantastic, we would be thrilled to pass the 100,000 mark before the contest ends tomorrow afternoon.

    “We don’t know what the winner will choose, but to have an option of free drinks for one year or over $1,000 in cash will prove to be useful for whoever given the current pandemic and the approaching Holiday season.”

    To view contest rules, enter and see how you can increase your chances, click here.

    For more on Joe Graf Jr. visit JoeGrafJr.com, like him on Facebook (Joe Graf Jr.), follow him on Twitter (@JoeGrafJr) and Instagram (@joegrafjr).

    For more on SS GreenLight Racing, please like them on Facebook (SS GreenLight Racing) and follow them on Twitter (@SSGLR0708) and visit their website at SSGreenLight.com.

    The Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 200 (200 laps | 200 miles) is the 33rd of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2020 schedule. The 37-car field will take the green flag shortly after 3:00 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 7, 2020, with live coverage on NBCSN, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Satellite Radio, Channel 90). All times are local (Mountain).

    About SS Green Light Racing:

    As one of the most tenured teams in all of NASCAR, SS GreenLight Racing has been a developmental hub for drivers looking to climb the ranks. Led by owner and former driver Bobby Dotter, the team has fielded entries in either the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series or the Xfinity Series competition since 2001.

    Coming off a successful 2019 Xfinity campaign, SS GreenLight Racing looks to build further momentum with their two-car program in 2020.

  • Pilot Flying J, Annett Renew with JR Motorsports

    Pilot Flying J, Annett Renew with JR Motorsports

    MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Nov. 5, 2020) – JR Motorsports announced today the return of driver Michael Annett and partner Pilot Flying J on board the team’s No. 1 Chevrolet for the 2021 season. Pilot Flying J, the largest operator of travel centers in North America, and the 34-year-old Annett have competed together in NASCAR for the past 13 seasons and with JR Motorsports since 2017.

    Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., Pilot Flying J has more than 750 retail locations. The company enters its fifth year of partnership with JRM in 2021, having earned NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff berths in 2017, 2019 and 2020. Pilot Flying J has supported Annett since he first emerged on the NASCAR national stage in 2008.

    “Having Pilot Flying J as a partner for the past four seasons has helped JR Motorsports excel on many levels, and being able to continue the relationship will allow us all to keep growing and succeeding together,” said Kelley Earnhardt Miller, general manager of JR Motorsports. “Pilot Flying J’s commitment to the sport and to our team is strong, and we are proud to be moving forward with them.”

    Annett, a native of Des Moines, Iowa, is currently finishing his fourth season driving the No. 1 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet for JRM. Annett earned his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory with JRM and for Pilot Flying J in the 2019 season opener at Daytona International Speedway and his first career pole position later that season at Talladega Superspeedway. Annett set career highs in top-10 finishes and laps led in 2019, his first full season with crew chief Travis Mack. This past season, Annett set a new standard for top-10s in a season with 21 pending this weekend’s season finale at Phoenix Raceway.

    “Pilot Flying J is excited to continue our long-standing relationship with Michael and JRM,” said Ken Parent, president of Pilot Flying J. “We look forward to seeing where Michael will finish this year and we wish him the best of luck and success in the 2021 season.”

    Annett earned a career-best finish of fifth in the championship standings in 2012, and he has earned NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff berths in three of his four seasons with JRM. His career totals in NXS competition with the team include the victory at Daytona and 50 top-10 finishes, along with a pair of top-10 finishes in the point standings. Annett is currently 10th in the standings with one race remaining.

    “Returning to JR Motorsports with Pilot Flying J means a lot to me,” said Annett. “We’ve been able to grow this program here, with Travis Mack and the team, and I know that more race wins and playoff appearances are in the future. Pilot Flying J has been a great partner for the past 13 seasons and I am looking forward to being here with Dale, Kelley and the JR Motorsports family.”

    Additional details for the No. 1 Pilot Flying J team will be announced at a later date.

    ABOUT PILOT FLYING J:
    Pilot Flying J, the largest operator of travel centers in North America, is committed to connecting people and places with comfort, care and a smile at every stop. With more than 750 locations in 44 states and six Canadian provinces, the Pilot Flying J travel center network offers a variety of products and amenities including 680 restaurants, 74,000 truck parking spaces, 5,300 deluxe showers, 6,200 diesel lanes and 34 Truck Care service centers. Pilot Flying J, along with the One9 Fuel Network and other brands, is part of Pilot Company. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot Company supplies more than 11 billion gallons of fuel per year and is currently ranked No. 10 on Forbes’ list of America’s Largest Private Companies. Visit www.pilotflyingj.com for more information.

    ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:
    JR Motorsports is the management company and racing operation for Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR’s 15-time Most Popular Driver and winner of 50 NASCAR-sanctioned races. Now in its 19th year of overall competition, JR Motorsports races in multiple divisions, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series where it won championships in 2014, 2017 and 2018. The company also competes in Late Model competition and owns four championships in regional late model divisions. To learn more about the organization, its drivers and its sponsorship opportunities, visit www.jrmracing.com.

  • BRANDT Extends Partnership with JR Motorsports and Justin Allgaier

    BRANDT Extends Partnership with JR Motorsports and Justin Allgaier

    JRM’s winningest sponsor-driver duo to return for sixth NXS season in 2021

    MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Nov. 2, 2020) – Today JR Motorsports announced that cornerstone partner BRANDT Professional Agriculture will return for its sixth season along with veteran driver Justin Allgaier behind the wheel of the No. 7 Camaro. Distinguished as JRM’s winningest sponsor, BRANDT will serve as primary partner on Allgaier’s Chevrolet for 20 races during the 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.

    Founded in Central Illinois, BRANDT is one of the fastest-growing, family-owned companies in the United States and a leader in the agriculture industry. Specializing in innovative products and services to help growers get the maximum return on their crops, BRANDT currently supplies customers in 48 states and more than 60 countries.

    “We have built an amazing partnership with Justin and the Earnhardt family at JR Motorsports,” said Rick Brandt, President and CEO of BRANDT. “Together we have had great success on the track and have established a unique platform to promote the agriculture industry and to grow our business. I look forward to closing out the 2020 season by securing our first Xfinity Series Championship! And I’m excited to continue this relationship in 2021.”

    BRANDT has had a long-time presence in NASCAR, first partnering with Allgaier in 2011. Since the Illinois native made the move to JR Motorsports in 2016, Allgaier has scored 11 of the team’s 51 total victories, the most by a driver in the organization’s history.

    “Over the past five years, we’ve been fortunate to build a very rewarding relationship with BRANDT, while highlighting the significance of the agriculture industry,” said Kelley Earnhardt Miller, JRM general manager. “As family-owned and operated businesses, we share a lot of the same core values. Winning means a lot to Rick (Brandt) and his employees, and we couldn’t be happier to go after more trophies with Justin in 2021.” 

    During Allgaier’s tenure with JRM, he’s been a NXS title contender each year, advancing to the Championship 4 four out of the last five seasons. This year, the 34-year-old driver is in the hunt once again as one of only four competitors left vying for the 2020 NXS Championship. During the regular season Allgaier led a career-high 896 laps and earned three victories, including back-to-back wins at Richmond Raceway.

    “I’m looking forward to being back at JR Motorsports next year and having the BRANDT relationship extend another year. We’ve become like family and I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else,” said Allgaier. “I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish together, not only from a production standpoint on the track and getting wins and being competitive week in and week out, but also being able to bring awareness to the agriculture industry and how important it is to everyday life. Our goal is to continue growing those successes as we battle for the championship this season and go for more wins next year.”

    In addition to the 20 primary races, BRANDT will also have associate placement on the No. 7 Camaro for the remaining 2021 races. Primary sponsorship for Allgaier for the balance next season will be announced at a later date
    ABOUT BRANDT:
    A leading agricultural company, BRANDT serves growers and farmers around the globe. Founded in 1953 by Glen Brandt and his sister Evelyn Brandt Thomas to help Illinois farmers adopt new and profitable technologies, the company has experienced aggressive growth under the leadership of President and CEO Rick Brandt. BRANDT’s focus is providing the products and services that give growers the best opportunity for maximum return while building a stronger, healthier and more abundant food supply. For more information, visit BRANDT on the web at www.brandt.co.

    ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:
    JR Motorsports is the management company and racing operation for Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR’s 15-time Most Popular Driver and winner of 50 NASCAR-sanctioned races.  Now in its 19th year of overall competition, JR Motorsports races in multiple divisions, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series where it won championships in 2014, 2017 and 2018.  The company also competes in Late Model competition and owns four championships in regional late model divisions.  To learn more about the organization, its drivers and its sponsorship opportunities, visit www.jrmracing.com.

  • Road Courses, New Venues Highlight 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series Slate

    Road Courses, New Venues Highlight 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series Slate

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 30, 2020) – NASCAR today announced the 2021 schedule for the NASCAR Xfinity Series™, which will mirror many of the historic changes in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series schedule that was announced in September.

    The Xfinity Series will join the Cup Series for 32 of its 33 weekends, including running for the first time at Circuit of the Americas (May 22) and for the first time since 2011 at Nashville Superspeedway (June 19). The series will return to Mid-Ohio on June 5 for the only event at a venue apart from the Cup Series.

    “As was the case with the Cup Series, we’re thrilled to have worked with the industry and our broadcast partners to deliver an exciting Xfinity Series schedule for our fans,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR vice president of racing development. “We saw phenomenal Xfinity Series racing in 2020, and this schedule allows us to build on that momentum by adding compelling new venues to an already fantastic mix of traditional racetracks.”

    The Xfinity Series will make its lone Sunday appearance in Pocono on June 27 as part of an action-packed NASCAR Cup Series doubleheader weekend in Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

    After a pair of off weekends in late July, the series returns to action for back-to-back road course racing in Watkins Glen (August 7) and on the Indianapolis Road Course (August 14). Those events will kick off 14 consecutive weekends of racing, including seven straight Playoff races culminating with the crowning of an Xfinity Series champion in Phoenix (November 6).

    Bristol Motor Speedway will again host the regular-season finale (September 17), while Las Vegas Motor Speedway will open the Playoffs (September 25). The Charlotte ROVAL (October 9) and Martinsville Speedway (October 30) will once again serve as the cutoff races, trimming the Playoffs field to eight and four, respectively.

    Broadcast times and networks will be announced at a later date, as will the 2021 schedule for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

    Below is the full 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule (Playoff races in bold font):

    2021 NASCAR XFINITY SERIES SCHEDULE

    DateRace / Track
    Saturday, February 13Daytona
    Saturday, February 20Homestead-Miami
    Saturday, February 27Auto Club
    Saturday, March 6Las Vegas
    Saturday, March 13Phoenix
    Saturday, March 20Atlanta
    Friday, April 9Martinsville
    Saturday, April 24Talladega
    Saturday, May 8Darlington
    Saturday, May 15Dover
    Saturday, May 22COTA
    Saturday, May 29Charlotte
    Saturday, June 5Mid-Ohio
    Saturday, June 12Texas
    Saturday, June 19Nashville Superspeedway
    Sunday, June 27Pocono
    Saturday, July 3Road America
    Saturday, July 10Atlanta
    Saturday, July 17New Hampshire
    Saturday, August 7Watkins Glen
    Saturday, August 14Indianapolis Road Course
    Saturday, August 21Michigan
    Friday, August 27Daytona
    Saturday, September 4Darlington
    Saturday, September 11Richmond
    Friday, September 17Bristol
    Saturday, September 25Las Vegas
    Saturday, October 2Talladega
    Saturday, October 9Charlotte Roval
    Saturday, October 16Texas
    Saturday, October 23Kansas
    Saturday, October 30Martinsville
    Saturday, November 6Phoenix

    About NASCAR

    The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR consists of three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series™), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour), one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, Americrown Service and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

  • JR Motorsports and Unilever Embark on 13th Year of Partnership

    JR Motorsports and Unilever Embark on 13th Year of Partnership

    New Deal for 2021 Includes Seven Primary NXS Races, One with Dale Earnhardt Jr.

    MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Oct. 27, 2020) – JR Motorsports has added a key component to its future, announcing today an extension with Unilever, one of the world’s leading suppliers of food, refreshments, home and personal care products. The new deal includes primary paint schemes on JR Motorsports cars for seven NASCAR Xfinity Series events in 2021, one of which will be driven by team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. As well, the two-time NXS champion and 2021 NASCAR Hall-of-Famer will enter his 13th consecutive year as a Unilever spokesperson and brand ambassador.

    “My partnership with Unilever has grown so much over the years, and I’m proud to say they’ve been a huge part of what we’ve built at JRM,” said Earnhardt Jr. “Unilever’s commitment to our team and the series has been unwavering, and we’re prepared to take that success even further.”

    Unilever is JRM’s longest-tenured partner dating back to 2009, and Earnhardt Jr.’s company has carried Unilever brands on its cars for more than 100 races. Unilever also holds the distinction of being one of the longest-running active sponsors in the NXS.

    As it has done since the beginning, Unilever will use its racing partnership to market multiple consumer brands across several JRM teams. Details on schedule, track locations and featured brands will be announced at a later date, including details on Earnhardt Jr.’s return to the driver’s seat for one race. Earnhardt Jr. has raced at least one NXS race with Unilever every year since 2009, most recently in the Hellmann’s No. 8 Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway this year. He has 24 career NXS victories, his last coming in 2016 at Richmond International Raceway in a Hellmann’s-branded car.

    “We’re immensely appreciative of the relationship we’ve cultivated with Unilever,” said Kelley Earnhardt Miller, general manager of JR Motorsports. “Together, we’ve had the opportunity to do great things on and off the track, most recently focusing efforts toward Unilever’s United for America initiative.”

    United for America is an expansive, Unilever-led movement that aims to unite with retail partners and nonprofits to help communities recover, rebuild, and reimagine their futures, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. Unilever has collaborated with frontline relief organizations like Feeding America and Direct Relief to provide critical support to Americans where it’s needed most, at a time when it’s needed most. The program provides essential products and supplies for millions of Americans, and Unilever is a purpose-driven company engaged in promoting cleanliness and sustainable living to help Americans thrive now and in the future.
    “Unilever is so proud to work with Dale and all the folks at JR Motorsports; a relationship founded on bringing together some of America’s most loved brands with one of America’s most popular sports and one of its most admired and respected personalities,” said Head of Channel & Customer Development for Unilever, George Hamilton. “But it is our collective charitable efforts that truly cements a relationship of shared values.”

    Unilever offers products in multiple categories, including mayonnaise, dijonnaise, and white spoonable dressings products, ketchup, ice cream, frozen yogurt, and frozen confectionery dessert; personal care products, including men’s hair shampoo, men’s hair conditioner, men’s hair styling products, men’s body wash and men’s deodorant.

    ABOUT UNILEVER UNITED STATES, INC.:
    Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Beauty & Personal Care, Home Care, and Foods & Refreshment products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2.5 billion consumers a day. In the United States, the portfolio includes brand icons such as Axe, Ben & Jerry’s, Breyers, Caress, Degree, Dollar Shave Club, Dove, Good Humor, Hellmann’s, Klondike, Knorr, Lever 2000, Lipton, Love Beauty and Planet, Magnum, Nexxus, Noxzema, Pond’s, Popsicle, Pure Leaf, Q-tips, Schmidt’s Naturals, Seventh Generation, Simple, Sir Kensington’s, St. Ives, Suave, Sundial Brands, Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto, TAZO, TIGI, TONI&GUY, TRESemmé and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies.

    Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan underpins the company’s strategy and commits to:

    • Helping more than a billion people take action to improve their health and well-being by 2020.
    • Halving the environmental impact of our products by 2030.
    • Enhancing the livelihoods of millions of people by 2020.

    For more information on Unilever U.S., its brands, and the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan visit: www.unileverusa.com

    ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:
    JR Motorsports is the management company and racing operation for Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR’s 15-time Most Popular Driver and winner of 50 NASCAR-sanctioned races. Now in its 19th year of overall competition, JR Motorsports races in multiple divisions, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series where it won championships in 2014, 2017 and 2018. The company also competes in Late Model competition and owns four championships in regional late model divisions. To learn more about the organization, its drivers and its sponsorship opportunities, visit www.jrmracing.com.