Jack Perkins, who competes within the Australian Supercars sequence, will make his NASCAR Xfinity debut Aug. 30 at Portland Worldwide Raceway with Joe Gibbs Racing, the staff introduced Thursday.
“It is a long-held dream come true for me, and I’m so enthusiastic about driving in NASCAR’s Xfinity Sequence for the legendary Joe Gibbs,” Perkins stated in an announcement from the staff.
“I began fascinated with competing in NASCAR once I first visited the U.S. in 2008 to observe Marcos Ambrose at Sonoma, and be a spotter for Paul Morris, who was contesting an ARCA West race the identical weekend.
“It’s been a protracted journey to get right here. I’ve come shut a couple of occasions, however we couldn’t fairly get all of the geese lined up. To do it now with Coach Gibbs and JGR proves it’s best to by no means quit.”
One staff makes a everlasting change and one other makes a brief transfer.
Perkins arrived within the U.S. earlier this week and has hung out at Joe Gibbs Racing. He’s undergone a seat becoming and been within the Toyota Racing Growth simulator. He’ll attend the Xfinity race and the Coca-Cola 600 this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
“Jack has a distinguished profession within the Australian Supercars sequence and got here extremely advisable by James Small, our crew chief on the No. 19 staff within the Cup Sequence,” stated Steve DeSouza, Govt Vice President Xfinity Sequence and Growth, in an announcement from the staff. “We’re excited to have him make his Xfinity Sequence debut with us on the street course in Portland.”
Cup drivers will compete within the longest race of the season Sunday night time at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Stated Perkins of Small: “James and I grew up collectively, working spherical Australia’s race paddocks as youngsters whereas our dads have been busy doing their issues, and we’ve remained shut mates. James will probably be at Darlington with the Cup Sequence the weekend we’re racing in Portland, however he’s doing the whole lot he can to assist me put together and guarantee JGR and I’ve a profitable expertise. With out James, the entire deal simply wouldn’t be taking place.”
Perkins has three Repco Supercars Championship podium finishes, 9 race victories and 35 podiums within the Dunlop Super2, the Supercars equal of NASCAR’s Xfinity Sequence.
