By Sarah Handy, Staff Writer
Joe Graf Jr. has joined SS Greenlight Racing full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for the 2020 season.
Graf’s first race for the organization will be the season-opener NASCAR Racing Experience 300 at Daytona International Speedway next month. Brian Crammer, Graf’s long-time spotter will also make the move to SS Greenlight Racing.
“To be racing full time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series is super cool. My boys at EAT SLEEP RACE are really pumped and I am looking forward to having them back on the car,” said Graf Jr.
“Bobby (Dotter, team owner) and Patrick (Donahue) prepare solid cars. To have the chance to get into a competitive race car for a full season is exactly what I need to continue developing at this level. My goal is to learn as much as possible, contend for strong finishes and maybe even earn a berth into the Xfinity Series Playoffs. I know I have a lot to learn, but I’m eager for the challenge and am ready to get to Daytona and getting the season underway.”
Graf made three starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Richard Childress Racing last season including his series debut at Iowa Speedway in which he raced to a 19th place finish.
Starts at Daytona last summer and Richmond in the fall resulted in finishes of 23rd and 14th, respectively for the New Jersey native.
Graf made three starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Richard Childress Racing last season including his series debut at Iowa Speedway in which he raced to a 19th place finish.
Additionally, the New Jersey native made starts at both Daytona last summer and Richmond in the fall as well, where he finished 23rd and 14th.
He spent the last two seasons racing in the ARCA Menards Series for Chad Bryant Racing. In 2019, Graf compete in 39 races amassing seven top-five and 21 top-10 finishes, including his first career victory in the series at Berlin Raceway in Michigan.
Graf went on to finish a career-high fifth in the championship standings.
“I’ve been watching Joe for a little while now, especially when he ran a few NASCAR Xfinity Series races last season and I’ve seen he’s eager to learn and perform,” explained Dotter. “This is a big step for him, but he is determined to put the effort in and have a good rookie season.
“With Patrick’s leadership and the strength that our team has shown in recent seasons, there’s no reason that we can’t go out there and do the same with Joe in 2020. I’m looking forward to getting the year started.”
The NASCAR Xfinity Series season opener will take place on Saturday February 15 with the NASCAR Racing Experience 300 scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET live on FS1 and MRN.