By Sarah Handy, Staff Writer
BJ McLeod Motorsports has announced the return of Vinnie Miller to their organization for the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.
Miller will return to the teams No. 78 entry for his second year in a multi-year contract agreement after signing with BJ McLeod Motorsports in 2019.
In 2019, Miller finished 23rd in the NASCAR Xfinity Series points standings, a significant improvement upon his 27th place finishing in the 2018 standings.
Miller ended 2019 with one top-15, four top-20 and 16 top-25 finishes. Miller’s 11th place finish in July’s Circle K Firecracker 250 from the famed Daytona International Speedway is a career best for the 22-year old.
“We’re happy to continue our relationship with Vinnie,” said team owner BJ McLeod. “He did a great job for us last season and proved to everyone why we wanted to work with him. I have no doubt that we will see some strong runs from the No. 78 group this season.”
2020 marks Miller’s third year racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series but second full-time season overall.
“To say I’m pumped up to get to Daytona is an understatement,” said Vinnie Miller in a team press release. “Overall our 2019 season was a success and I’m looking for more in 2020. BJ and Jessica (McLeod) have been the best thing that has happened to me in my career. They believe in me and have given me the tools to learn and improve each and every week. Being able to keep the No. 78 team together, led by (crew chief) Keith Wolfe is something I’ve never really gotten to do year-over-year and think that will help us get off to a very strong start.”
The Michigan native who grew up racing on short tracks in his home state, has ARCA experience on his resume earning four top-10 finishes in six starts in 2017. Miller’s best finish that season was a sixth-place result at Iowa Speedway.
In addition, Miller competed in the K&N Pro Series East in 2017 as well, earning one top-five and two top-ten finishes in six starts with a best finish of third coming at South Boston Speedway in Virginia.
Miller’s lone NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series start came that same year at Talladega Superspeedway, an event that saw the young driver finishing 7th in his series debut.
The 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series season begins on February 15, 2020 at 2:30 p.m. ET live on FS1 and MRN with the NASCAR Racing Experience 300 from Daytona International Speedway.