On the heels of their best finish of the 2017 NASCAR XFINITY Series season, B.J. McLeod Motorsports (BJMM) heads to Auto Club (Calif.) Speedway for Saturday afternoon’s XFINITY 300 looking to end the west coast swing on a high note.
Last weekend at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway, the Mooresville, N.C.-based team performed brilliantly on a day that was saturated with blistering heat. Through the sweat, B.J. McLeod overcame adversity to post a lead lap finish in 25th.
Rookie Matt Mills making his XFINITY Series debut bolted through two rounds of knockout qualifying to start 24th. Throughout the race, Mills in his No. 8 Thompson Electric Chevrolet racked in priceless laps around the legendary 1.0-mile oval to finish a respectable 30th without a scratch.
David Starr, the third member of the BJMM found himself a victim in an early race accident, but recovered to take the checkered flag in 32nd.
Racing just north of Los Angeles on Mar. 25 – the sophomore XFINITY Series team looks to have an award-winning showing that will give them additional momentum heading into the first off weekend of the year.
“We came out of Phoenix overall pretty satisfied,” said team principal and driver B.J. McLeod. “We worked hard on our No. 78 Chevrolet throughout the race and it paid off with a good showing.
“Matt did a superb job in his XFINITY debut. Under some brutal conditions, he finished the race with the car in one piece and plenty of experience that will help him down the road. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.
Unfortunately, David didn’t have the same luck, but his defiance to see the checkered flag makes him a great team player. Looking out the windshield, we’re focused on going out there and doing the best we can. With that mentality, another good finish is bound to come our way.”
Auto Club Speedway, an ultra-fast 2.0-mile oval provides another opportunity for the team to capitalize with experience with veteran drivers behind the wheel.
After a one-week break, Jeff Green returns to the No. 8 Chevrolet, while McLeod and Starr will continue in their normal rides for the 150-lap race.
Joining BJMM this weekend as an associate marketing partner is Bigg Dane and Beale’s Texas BBQ.
Established in 2015, Bigg Dane and Beale’s Texas BBQ started a few years ago as a hobby between two neighbors who shared the joy of cooking in their back yards, eating and trash talking about who could prepare the best food between them.
Now, Bigg Dane and Beale’s Texas BBQ is quickly becoming a recognizable name pronominally in the city of Fontana. Serving the cities of Corona, Eastvale, Mira Loma, Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto, Riverside and San Bernardino, Bigg Dane and Beale’s Texas BBQ is excited and proud to cook what we believe to be the best tasting Texas style BBQ their customers have ever experienced.
Their mission is to keep your taste buds desiring our food, even when you sleep. They’re just two average guys who love the taste of great BBQ and the company of family and friends.
Green will make his 12th start at Fontana and eyes his fourth career top-10 finish in The Golden State. Green is a former pole winner at ACS capturing the fastest qualifying lap in Apr. 2000.
McLeod, a native of Wauchula, Fla. will make his second career XFINITY start at Auto Club Speedway.
Starr, the Houston, Tex. native is set for his fourth career XFINITY Series showing in the El Dorado State, aboard the No. 99 Striping Technology Chevrolet.
For California, B.J. McLeod Motorsports is proud to welcome the additional support of ICE-FROST and @CouchCrewChief who will serve as associate marketing partners for the team’s 38th career XFINITY Series race.
The XFINITY 300 (150 laps / 300 miles) is the fifth of 33 NASCAR XFINITY Series on the 2017 schedule. Practice begins on Fri., Mar. 24 from 12:00 p.m. – 12:55 p.m. A second and final practice session is set from 2:00 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. Qualifying is set for race day, Sat., Mar. 25 beginning at 9:30 a.m. The 40-car field will take the green flag shortly after 1:00 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports 1, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Satellite Radio, Channel 90). All times are local (Pacific).
BJMM PR
