By Sarah Handy, Staff Writer
NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series team, JJL Motorsports announced on Tuesday that it will close its doors following the 2019 season. The team who fields the No. 97 truck for Jesse Little on a part-time basis will seek new ownership for the 2020 season.
JJL owner, Jason Little and his nephew Jesse Little will focus on different endeavors following the team’s final race and NGOTS season finale Ford EcoBoost 200 at Homestead Miami Speedway on November 15.
https://twitter.com/JJL_Motorsports/status/1171438181117517824
Jason has stated that he will shift his focus to a new business opportunity. While his nephew Jesse will shift his own focus to the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series for the 2020 season.
“I’ve really enjoyed the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series over the last five years and I’m very proud with what this family-owned team has been able to accomplish,” Jason Little said in a statement.
The team made their NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut (Now NGOTS) in 2015 at Dover International Speedway but a crash ended Jesse Little’s day early resulting in a 30th place finish.
Overall, 2018 was their best effort as Jesse Little earned six Top-10s with a best finish of sixth coming at Iowa Speedway.
In 2019, Jesse has made eight starts in the NGOTS having earned two Top-15 finishes and three Top-20s with a season best finish of 13th coming at Texas Motor Speedway in March.
(Photo: Barry Cantrell/NKP)
“I’m excited about finishing up the 2019 season with JJL Motorsports team and running Phoenix and Homestead at the end of the year,” said Jesse Little.
“I’m currently looking at options to advance my career into the Xfinity and Cup Series and really look forward to what the 2020 season has to offer. I can’t thank my uncle Jason (Little), all our marketing and business partners and my JJL Motorsports guys enough for all the support and we expect to finish the year with a couple of great runs.”
While Jesse has no starts in the Xfinity Series, he does have two starts in the MENCS both of which came last season at Kentucky Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway. Both races produced finishes of 35th.