By Sarah Handy, Staff Writer
BJ McLeod Motorsports announced on Wednesday morning that driver Matt Mills will return to the organization full-time in 2020.
2020 will mark the first time in Mills NASCAR Xfinity Series career that he will run the full schedule. Mills will pilot the No. 5 Chevrolet with primary sponsorship from J.F. Electric, Utilitra and Thompson Electric.
“We’re so pleased to have Matt back.” said team owner BJ McLeod. “He showed an impressive amount of speed last season and took a big step forward both on and off the track. I am really looking forward to Daytona in a few weeks.”
Mills scored the teams best finish last season when he finished 10th in July’s Circle K Firecracker 250 powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway.
In addition to the finish being a best finish for the team, the Top-10 result marked Mills first career top-10 the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
“It certainly has been a journey and I’m thrilled to be back in the No. 5 J.F. Electric, Utilitra, Thompson Electric entry for BJ McLeod Motorsports again this season, “said Mills. “We had a super solid season last year, and even scored a top-10 finish at Daytona in July. This season our expectations are increased but the goal remains the same; complete laps, learn, and improve each and every week. I can’t thank J.F. Electric and Thompson Electric enough for their continued support and I’m also super excited to welcome Utilitra to the team this year, we’re going to have a lot of fun!”
Overall, in 2019 Mills competed in 29 of the 33 schedule events where he earned one Top-Ten, eight Top-20 and 15 Top-25 finishes.
23-year old Mills grew up competing on the short tracks of Ohio before making his NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series debut in 2016 with SS Green Light Racing at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mills went on to finish 27th in his series debut.
Mills went on to make 10 more starts in the Truck Series from 2016 through 2018 earning a career best finish of 17th twice, both of those results coming at Kansas Speedway and Dover International Speedway in 2017.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series season will kick off on Saturday February 15, 2020 with the NASCAR Racing Experience 300 from Daytona International Speedway at 2:30 p.m. ET on FS1 and MRN.