One of the newest, and unexpected changes coming to NASCAR in 2021 will be the addition of a brand-new team being fielded by former NASCAR Driver Matt Tifft, and current team owner B.J. McLeod.
On Friday, the pair confirmed that “Live Fast Motorsports” will become the name of the newly formed team that will compete full-time in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season.
#TeamLiveFast is here! ?
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— Live Fast Motorsports (@teamlivefast) November 20, 2020
The team logo, and number were custom-made by designer Kyle Sykes.
The team will field the No. 78 Ford Mustang beginning next season. The number itself has been used by McLeod for his own operation on the Xfinity Series side since 2016, as well as this past season in Cup for a handful of races.
B.J. McLeod will pilot the entry full-time next season.
The team has also formed a strategic partnership with Stewart-Haas Racing. The partnership will help in “navigating the difficulties of developing a successful NASCAR Cup team” per a media release.
In addition, the No. 78 Cup Series entry will be prepared out of the currently existing BJ McLeod Motorsports building in Mooresville, North Carolina.
“Live Fast Motorsports is excited to be joining an incredible group of owners, as well as the new teams and ownership coming into the sport,” the team said in a media release. “NASCAR’S Next Gen car and model for teams will provide opportunities for new teams to compete at a higher level. Live Fast Motorsports and its partners are ready to take on the challenge to grow and develop as a team.”
In late October, former NASCAR driver Matt Tifft and current team owner BJ McLeod made headlines when the pair acquired part of the Go Fas Racing charter for the 2021 season. As Go Fas Racing will downsize to a part-time operation next year, Tifft and McLeod acquired their half of the charter in partnership with Joe Falk of the former Circle Sport Racing.
After a seizure sidelined Tifft from driving in 2019, he surrendered his No. 36 seat at Front Row for John Hunter Nemechek, who eventually went full-time with the team this past season. This is the first time that Tifft will be involved in NASCAR as a part-owner.
As for McLeod, he will add to his long list of ownership in the sport with the new team. He has actively owned BJ McLeod Motorsports since 2016, driving for both his own team as well as others such as JD Motorsports.
Live Fast Motorsports will join 23XI Racing, and TrackHouse as the newest members of the Cup Series field – all fielding one chartered car.
Thanks to the charter, all three teams will have guaranteed entry into all points-paying Cup Series events their inaugural seasons.
