BROOKLYN, Michigan – On the heels of several competitors and respectable finishes within the past month, B.J. McLeod and his B.J. McLeod Motorsports team carry that momentum to Michigan International Speedway (MIS), site of Saturday afternoon’s Menards 250 presented by Valvoline.
A strong No. 78 B.J. McLeod Motorsports Ford Mustang last weekend at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway wasn’t able to live up to its full potential – as inclement weather brought the race to an early finish just past the halfway point.
Still, the confidence that McLeod has been building and the faith in his Mooresville, North Carolina-based team continues to see the freshman NASCAR XFINITY Series climb an uphill battle.
“Pocono last weekend was a real bummer,” said McLeod who settled for 23rd in the Pocono Green 250. “Dave (Ingram, crew chief) and the guys did a really good job setting up the car and we were just being patient and biding our team when the rain came. Can’t do much about that. We just need to keep building on the last few weeks and see where it takes us.”
Saturday’s race at Michigan International Speedway should provide excellent side-by-side racing, mixed in with an influx of the draft – not to mention the potential for three to four car abreast racing, the Wauchula, Florida native hopes to make the most of his XFINITY Series Motor City debut.
“This is a big race for a lot of teams being in the manufacturers backyard, but while that’s important for us to have a good run for Ford, it’s another chance for us to keep improving our program. I’ve been really happy with the direction of our team over the last few weeks. We know we still have some work to do, but we’re going forward and not backwards, so we just need to keep that trek this weekend at Michigan.”
Close friend Todd Peck who piloted the No. 15 Rick Ware Racing / B.J. McLeod Motorsports Ford Mustang last weekend at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway returns to the saddle for his Michigan debut this weekend.
“Todd did a good job for us last weekend,” McLeod explained. “It was a hometown race for him last weekend at Pocono, but he didn’t have the chance to show what that No. 15 car had because of the rain. Todd is a great teammate and I look forward to having him again on our side this weekend at Michigan.”
Veteran industry crew chief George (David) Ingram Jr. will call the shots for the No. 78 B.J. McLeod Motorsports Ford Mustang for the 13th 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.
Marketing partnership opportunities are available for the No. 78 Ford Mustang for the remainder of the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series. Interested inquiries are encouraged to contactpr@bjmcleodmotorsports.com.
The Menards 250 presented by Valvoline (125 laps / 250 miles) is the 13th of 33 NASCAR XFINITY Series on the 2016 schedule. XFINITY Series practice begins on Friday, June 10 from12:30 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 11 beginning at 10:00 a.m. The 40-car field will take the green flag shortly after 1:30 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.
