LONG POND, Pennsylvania – Encouraged by the on-track performance that B.J. McLeod Motorsports (BJMM) has shown recently on the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) tour, the No. 78 team is highly optimistic for Saturday’s inaugural Pocono Green 250 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway.
The series’ debut at the 2.5-mile triangle is a highly anticipated one. The 100-lap event also provides an opportunity for McLeod to continue to elevate the team’s on-track performance as they inch closer to the crucial summer stretch.
“I’m looking forward to getting to Pocono this weekend,” said McLeod, owner and driver of the No. 78 B.J. McLeod Motorsports Ford Mustang. “I have some experience there in a truck a couple years ago, but this weekend is different and I’m glad to be a part of history.”
To help teams get familiar with Pocono, they will have additional practice time this weekend to get accustomed to the track’s unique triangle layout which includes a monstrous 3,000 foot straightaway and a tricky tunnel turn.
“Pocono is so different, but so much fun at the same time,” added McLeod. “It’s a speedway, road course and a short track all combined into one. The extra practice time will help our team get our No. 78 B.J. McLeod Motorsports Ford dialed in. I expect the cars to handle and act a lot different than the trucks do.”
Hoping to find that ideal setup, McLeod will work his Mooresville, North Carolina-based team and look to capture his second top-20 finish in the past three races.
“For an on-track product, I think everyone can see that we are making gains,” the Wauchula, Florida native said. “We need to keep getting better as it offers the opportunity for us to get some more sponsorship. We’ve had a blank car the last couple of races – but we’re hoping to change that going into this summer stretch. If we can keep improving and making strides we have something to sell and it will elevate our program to the next level.”
After pairing with friend Cody Ware last weekend in the No. 15 JJ Aim Right Gun Shop Ford Mustang at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway, McLeod’s friend Todd Peck will drive the No. 15 Ford Mustang Saturday in a collaborative effort with Rick Ware Racing (RWR).
“Todd’s a great dude whpr@bjmcleodmotorsports.como has a lot of experience at Pocono,” McLeod explained. “It’s a hometown race for him, so he wants to do well in front of his friends, family and potential sponsors. I know that if I need to I can go to Todd for some advice about Pocono, he won’t hold anything back. Hopefully we can get his car dialed in two and have a solid weekend for both the No. 15 and 78 cars.”
Veteran industry crew chief George (David) Ingram Jr. will call the shots for the No. 78 B.J. McLeod Motorsports Ford Mustang for the 12th race of the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series season.
For more on B.J. McLeod, please visit his official Facebook page, while also visiting the team’s new website at BJMcLeodMotorsports.com. Additionally, the team is growing their presence on Twitter, with the team’s new account @teamBJMcLeod. McLeod also utilizes his personal twitter too, @BJMcLeod78.
The Pocono Green 250 (100 laps / 250 miles) is the 12th of 33 NASCAR XFINITY Series on the 2016 schedule. An open day of testing is set to commence on Thursday, June 2 with two rounds of practice. Traditional XFINITY Series practice begins on Friday, June 3 from 12:30 p.m. – 1:25 p.m. A final practice has been etched in from 3:00 p.m. – 3:55 p.m.Qualifying is set for race day, Saturday, June 4 beginning at 9:05 a.m. The 40-car field will take the green flag shortly after 1:00 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports 1, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Satellite Radio, Channel 90). All times are Eastern.
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