By Sarah Handy, Staff Writer
Tommy Joe Martins and his own NASCAR team Martins Motorsports will return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series full-time in 2020.
Martins will serve as primary driver of the No. 44 Chevrolet with long-time sponsor and family friend, Rodney Riessen joining Craig Martins as co-owners of the Mooresville based team.
“It’s so exciting,” driver Tommy Joe Martins said, “Extremely nerve wracking but also really exciting. We’ve learned so much over these last few years about this series and the business as a whole. I’ve improved a lot as a driver. Having Rodney [Riessen] as a partner in this thing is a game changer. He’s just as passionate about the success of this team as dad & I are.”
Martins Motorsports last competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 11 races during the 2014 season. The teams best finish was a 14th place effort at Talladega Superspeedway.
In addition, the team has competed in the NASCAR Truck Series as well but hasn’t doesn’t so since 2017. However, at the time, due rising costs and little sponsorship, the team was forced to close its doors at the end of 2017.
“We’ve done this before. We know how hard it is,” Martins said. “We’ve done it right and we’ve done it wrong. The biggest difference this time is my experience and the school of hard knocks both my dad & Rodney have had to learn from to get to this point. We’ve also got some great partners with Diamond Gusset, AAN Adjusters, and a few others that hopefully we’ll be announcing very soon. Everyone is all in to make this thing work.”
2020 will mark the first time in Martins career that Mississippi native will run full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Martins No. 44 will sport the familiar silver and blue of his long-time sponsor, Diamond Gusset Jeans. The Tennessee based American apparel company have been supports of Martins since he first came into the Xfinity Series in 2014. However, a number of races has yet to be announced.
“Having David [Hall – DG owner] & Diamond Gusset as a part of this is special. They’re family. They’re as much a part of this as anyone on this team,” Martins said.
Martins said he would get out of the driver’s seat if a funded driver was to come along.
“Oh absolutely,” Martins laughed. “I’d gladly step out. I love driving these cars, but the best thing financially for this race team is to have me as a part time driver, not a full time one. Right now, I just want to focus on starting this year strong, getting us up in the points, & proving to everyone this is a competitive race team. I think everything takes care of itself from that point on.”
A crew chief hasn’t been named yet, but Martins indicated the team is in “discussions” and will confirm the position after the first of the year. The team will run Rob Fisher Engines (formerly Collins Engines), and utilize a combination of GMS & KBM chassis.
In 2019, Martins competed in 18 of 33 events spitting the season with nine races for B.J. McLeod Motorsports as well as nine races for MBM Motorsports.
Overall, Martins earned five top-20 and 10 top-25 finishes on the season with a season best finish of 17th at ISM Raceway outside of Phoenix in November.
Martins previously announced at the beginning of the month that he and MBM Motorsports would part ways as the team condensed down to just two full-time teams in the Xfinity Series.
Read More: Tommy Joe Martins won’t return to MBM Motorsports in 2020 https://kickinthetires.net/tommy-joe-martins-wont-return-to-mbm-motorsports-in-2020/
At the time, Martins hinted at the fact that Martins Motorsports could make a return, but nothing was official until now.
“Without a doubt, we’re going to be a small team,” Martins said. “We just want to be a good team. That starts with good people. We think we’re headed down the right path. This thing will succeed or fail based on the personnel we have involved.”
With that said, Martins remains optimistic about their goals as a new team in the Xfinity Series.
“We just want to qualify for 33 races. That’s the goal right now,” Martins said. “Show up every week with a well-prepared car and finish races. If we do that 33 times that will be a successful season. I’ve proven I can drive at this level. This team needs to prove we can be one of those 36 cars week in and week out.”