Jesse Iwuji Motorsports (JIM) will make a comeback to the NASCAR Xfinity Series in Saturday’s Pacific Office Automation 147 at Portland International Raceway, through a partnership with SS-GreenLight Racing.
Andre Castro, whose resume includes a pair of Xfinity Series starts for Jesse Iwuji Motorsports last season, will get behind the wheel of the No. 14 Chevrolet Camaro for Saturday’s second road course event of 2024.
Sponsorship for the effort will come from a pair of brand-new partners in Ryvid and Joie Energy, as well as eRacing Association, a long-time supporter of Jesse Iwuji Motorsports.
“I have been working hard to find an avenue to get [Jesse Iwuji Motorsports] back to the track and we have unlocked it,” said Shane Martin, JIM’s Xfinity Series Program Manager. “JIM driver, Andre Castro, is a heck of a road racer. An opportunity presented itself when Jason Miller, SS-GreenLight Racing crew chief, and I caught up at the track in Darlington.”
This season, SS-GreenLight Racing is fielding two full-time entries in the Xfinity Series. Patrick Emerling serves as the anchor driver of the team’s flagship No. 07 while balancing his commitment to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
A myriad of drivers have gotten behind the wheel of an SSGLR entry this season, including JJ Yeley, RC Enerson, Daniil Kvyart, Myatt Snider, David Starr, and others.
Castro will join Logan Bearden (No. 07) as the team’s two-driver lineup for the series’ annual trip to Portland International Raceway.
“Andre [Castro] really impressed us racing last year with JIM, so when Jason [Miller] brought this opportunity to us, I was excited,” said SS-GreenLight Racing owner Bobby Dotter. “It’s always great to give a talented young driver an opportunity as that just sweetens the deal. I can’t wait to see what he is able to do in Portland. We also look forward to seeing how this collaboration goes with JIM. Those are a great group of guys over there.”
Albeit partnering with another team, Saturday’s 147-mile contest in the Pacific Northwest marks the return to the Xfinity Series for Jesse Iwuji Motorsports, which fielded a full-time entry in 2022, before scaling back to part-time in 2023.
“Excited to see this work out, as Chevrolet has been a big supporter of JIM since day one,” added Martin. “To see Andre in one of our cars again is wonderful and we are looking forward to seeing Jesse Iwuji back behind the wheel this year also.”
Last season, the organization attempted to field the No. 34 Chevrolet Camaro four times, twice for Jesse Iwuji at Daytona and Talladega, and twice for Andre Castro at Chicago and Indy’s Road Course.
“JIM’s mission is to provide opportunities to those who may not otherwise have them,” said Jesse Iwuji, owner of Jesse Iwuji Motorsports. “So we are thankful for the partnership with Bobby [Dotter] and SS-GreenLight Racing as well as honored to have such amazing partners like Chevrolet, eRacing Association, joie Energy, and Ryvid to help drive our mission home with opportunities to get back on the track for JIM and Andre.”
