After competing on a part-time basis for the organization a decade ago, Ryan Truex will make his return to Joe Gibbs Racing for a four-race deal in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this season, the team announced on Thursday.
Truex – who will also compete part-time in the second-tier series for Sam Hunt Racing — will make his first start in the No. 18 Toyota Supra at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 5, before returning to the wheel of the race-winning entry at Martinsville (April 8), Darlington (May 7) and Texas (May 21).
“I’m honored to compete in the No. 18 Toyota GR Supra with Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this season,” said Ryan Truex. “Having the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a Joe Gibbs Racing entry is an absolute dream come true. Even better, Toyota is sponsoring my inaugural race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway next weekend. I can’t thank them and Joe Gibbs Racing enough for making this happen.”
Competing for the organization in 13 events between 2011 and 2012, Truex recorded eight top-10 finishes, including a career-best second-place finish at Dover, after starting on the pole.
Across NASCAR’s top-three series, Truex has made 178 career starts, collecting 16 top-five and 46 top-10 finishes. In addition to his starts in NASCAR’s top-three series, Truex collected the 2009 and 2010 K&N East Championships.