EXCLUSIVE: Boris Said Excited for Partial Schedule With Joe Gibbs Racing

Earlier this month, it was announced that Boris Said will run seven XFINITY races for Joe Gibbs Racing throughout the 2015 season.

“It was great when I got the call from Joe Gibbs Racing,” Said told OnPitRoad.com. “It happened just before Christmas. I feel really fortunate to get the opportunity to race for a top team and get to do this in my 29^th year of racing.”

Over the years, Said has been known as “road course” expert to those within NASCAR, running the road course events in the Sprint Cup Series and XFINITY Series. He has had success, scoring an XFINTIY victory in 2010, to go with seven top-10 finishes. He also has eight Sprint Cup top-10 finishes to his credit.

“When we get to the road courses, I think we really have a chance to win,” he commented. “I’ve run for some sub-par teams, but here there are no excuses. These guys know how to get it done and I think we can.”

This year’s schedule, though, brings a new challenge for Said as he will be running the oval events for the first time, starting off with his 2015 season debut at Talladega Superspeedway in May.

“Obviously the No. 54 Monster Energy group is used to running up front and going for the win,” he commented. “We’ll have to tone the expectations down a little for the ovals, but I’m hoping to run in the top 10 throughout the day.”

In learning to run the ovals, Said feels his friendships with drivers in the garage area will help.

“I’ve taught a lot of these guys to road course race, so when it comes to the ovals, they have repaid me by giving me advice in return,” he said. “Being able to work with teammates like Erik Jones and Daniel Suarez is way better. They’re both young, great drivers who know how to get around fast. I’m looking forward to working with them.”

Beyond Talladega, Said will run Iowa Speedway in Newton on May 17 and August 1, Chicagoland (Ill.) Speedway on June 20, Mid Ohio Sportscar Course on August 15, Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin on August 29 and Kentucky Speedway in Sparta on September 26. Of the races on the schedule this year, Said comments that he’s most excited for Road America.

“Before NASCAR actually got to go there, I did the initial test to see if the XFINITY cars would go around there well,” he commented. “However, I haven’t gotten the chance to run that race due to it always being the same weekend as the Cup race at Sears Point. So I’m excited about going there.

“But actually, I’m excited to getting to Talladega. That place is wild as you never know what could happen there.”