The No. 26 Supra of Sam Hunt Racing will get a familiar name above the door at Martinsville, and the name holds a special connection to the iconic short track.
Virginia’s own 21-year-old Colin Garrett will add another start in the 2021 Xfinity Series with SHR, in what will arguably be the most meaningful start of his young NASCAR career.
“I’m excited to race at my home track for the first time on this level,” said Garrett. “Martinsville is always a good time when we go there in the late models, so I’m really looking forward to experiencing it in the Xfinity car. It’s awesome to have the opportunity to bring a campaign that I’ve been working hard on to promote at my home track too.”
Garrett is a native of Elmo, Virginia, and is currently competing in the NASCAR Advanced Auto Parts Weekly Series with Sellers-Burton Racing, based out of Danville, Virginia. As if Garrett needed to bolster his achievements more within Virginia, Garrett also holds a Limited Sportsman Division Championship from South Boston Speedway.
The Martinsville start will mark Garrett’s fifth of the season, with Sam Hunt and his first on a short track. In four previous starts this year, Garrett delivered three top-20 runs, including a 17th at Darlington.
“It’s always special when we have Colin behind the wheel of our #26 Toyota Supra, especially now at his home track,” said Sam Hunt, owner of Sam Hunt Racing. “Being the first driver for SHR, it’s so cool that we still get to work together three years later. We’ve both grown up quite a bit since the first day of working together, but still have the same fun when racing together. Colin and his family are like a second family to me, and I cherish every chance we get to work together. Colin is hungry and will bring a no-fear attitude to Martinsville. It’s going to be a great weekend.”
Garrett will carry sponsorship from Veterans Grow America, an organization that provides a forum for veterans and military spouses to showcase and grow their business with veteran organizations from the local to the federal level. Additionally, the 11/11 Veteran Project will join Garrett’s fifth start of the season, who also served as the primary sponsor for Garrett in two of his previous four starts this season. 11/11 was on board the car with Garrett’s season-best finish of 15th at Talladega.
The connection between Garrett and veteran-backed sponsorship is not a coincidence but a cause close to the Virginia driver. Stemming from a family of veterans and active-duty military personnel, the 21-year-old driver utilizes his racing career to partner and bring awareness to veteran-backed programs and organizations. When he’s away from the race track, Garrett is a driving instructor for active-duty military personnel with his partner, Racing for Heroes Tactical Mobility, based in Danville, Virginia.
“Being right here in Southern Virginia is awesome because this is the home to our partners at Racing for Heroes,” said Garrett. “A lot of our guys from there are going to be attending the event because it’s so close to home for all of us. It’s also an honor to have Veterans Grow America on the car to bring awareness to their program.”
Fans can see Garrett pilot the No. 26 Supra on Saturday, October 30th at 6:00 PM EST on NBCSN.
