Joe Graf Jr. will run full time in the Xfinity Series for SS Green Light Racing in 2020, multiple sources have confirmed to Frontstretch.
Graf will takeover the No. 08 Chevrolet from Gray Gaulding, who finished 13th in the championship standings last season and finished a season-best second at Talladega Superspeedway.
The 21-year-old New Jersey native will be sponsored by Eat, Sleep, Race.
Graf ran a trio of races for Richard Childress Racing last season, placing a best finish of 14th at Richmond Raceway in the fall. In the other events, he finished 19th (Iowa Speedway) and 23rd (Daytona International Speedway). He also failed two qualify for two races, one for RCR, the other for Kaulig Racing at Bristol Motor Speedway in August.
In addition to last year’s part-time Xfinity schedule, Graf has 39 ARCA Menards Series starts to his name, capturing the checkered flag once at Berlin Raceway for Chad Bryant Racing. He has a total of 21 top-10 finishes.
By joining the series full time, Graf will also join the rookie of the year battle this year, which already includes Harrison Burton and Riley Herbst from Joe Gibbs Racing.
Graf’s teammate will be Ray Black Jr., who returns to the organization’s No. 07.
An official announcement is expected later this week.
About the author
Dustin joined the Frontstretch team at the beginning of the 2016 season. 2020 marks his sixth full-time season covering the sport that he grew up loving. His dream was to one day be a NASCAR journalist, thus why he attended Ithaca College (Class of 2018) to earn a journalism degree. Since the ripe age of four, he knew he wanted to be a storyteller.
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Another case where money takes priority over talent and results.
Just when you thought this series couldn’t get any worse this coming season, this guy gets a full-time ride in a fairly decent car. All about $$$$$!
How does this Eat Sleep race website/company have that much money coming into it?
Gray drove the wheels off that 08 each and every week. That car couldnt of ran better. I hope he isnt getting screwed out of a good ride.