By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer
Third-generation racer Jesse Little will move to JD Motorsports with Gary Keller for the full 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.
Little’s many longtime partners Skuttle Tight, Dkota Investments, Parker Fiber Net, and Visit Kingsport will follow the Sherrills Ford, N.C. native to the Xfinity Series. Additional sponsors will be announced at a later date.
The opportunity with JDM will mark Little’s first full-time NASCAR season since 2014 in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East division.
With over 1,200 starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, JDM has six top-five and 41 top-10 finishes as an organization. The team’s best finish, fourth has been achieved three times, twice with Ross Chastain in 2018, and once with Joe Thurman in 1983.
The multi-car team has often showcased new talent as they climb the ladder. In addition to Chastain, Jeffrey Earnhardt, Stefan Parsons, Ryan Preece, Garrett Smithley, and Ryan Vargas among others have made starts with the non-Cup affiliated team.
Little explained his excitement about moving up to the Xfinity Series.
“I am beyond excited to have the privilege to race full time in 2020 for JD Motorsports with Gary Keller in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. It’s something I have honestly dreamed about since I can remember. They are a successful, established team that I can’t wait to begin working with. I hope to represent Johnny, the JDM brand, and especially all their partners to the highest satisfaction.”
The NASCAR Next alum has 30 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series starts. Little has seven top-10 finishes with a best finish of sixth at Iowa Speedway in 2018. He also has two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts.
Little has two more NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series races in his family-owned JJL Motorsports No. 97 Skuttle Tight Ford F-150 scheduled before he climbs the ladder.
Those two starts in the Lucas Oil 150 at ISM Raceway and Ford EcoBoost 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway will be the final races for the team in its’ current form as it has been sold to a new owner for next season.