When the NASCAR Xfinity Series returns to Daytona International Speedway in February, a brand-new organization will be on the grid, and a familiar face will be present.
Derrike Cope, winner of the 1990 Daytona 500, has formed Cope Family Racing, which will be fielding the No. 70 Chevrolet full-time in the second-tier series, beginning in 2025.
— Cope Family Racing (@CopeFamilyRacin) January 2, 2025
Leland Honeyman, Jr. and Thomas Annunziata will be splitting driving duties of the entry in 2025, which will utilize engines from ECR Engines and cars from Richard Childress Racing.
Honeyman will be behind the wheel of the No. 70. Chevrolet in 17 NASCAR Xfinity Series events in 2025, beginning with the season-opener at Daytona.
The 19-year-old driver competed full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series last year, driving the No. 42 for first-year team Young’s Motorsports. Honeyman scored one top-five and two top-10s in his rookie campaign, finishing 22nd in points.
“I’m excited to join Cope Family Racing as they launch their NASCAR Xfinity Series program,” said Honeyman. “It’s an honor to be part of a team with such a racing legacy, and I can’t wait to contribute to this new chapter in their history book. I’m ready to take on 2025 and continue chasing success on the track.”
Annunziata will be rounding out the 33-race Xfinity Series schedule in 2025, with his first drive in the No. 70 coming at Circuit of The Americas (COTA).
A native of Colts Neck, New Jersey, Annunziata broke onto the NASCAR National Series scene in 2024 with an impressive result in the ARCA Menards Series opener at Daytona.
The 19-year-old driver attempted to qualify for six events in the NASCAR Xfinity Series last season — three for JD Motorsports and three for Joey Gase Motorsports — and recorded a best finish of 28th at Pocono Raceway.
“I’m super excited to be racing part-time with CFR in 2025,” said Annunziata. “Derrike Cope and the Cope Family are rich in NASCAR experience from his driving days and running the team for StarCom Racing in the Cup Series. Although it’s a new team, CFR has assembled an experienced group to compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. I’m ready and more motivated than ever to be a part of this exciting project. Time to go to work.”
Cope, a long-time driver in NASCAR’s National Series, has found himself involved in multiple organizations following the end of his driving career — most recently StarCom Racing. In this venture, Cope will serve as General Manager.
“After some time away from the sport, the creation of Cope Family Racing begins another chapter for us in NASCAR,” said Cope. “To have the opportunity for such a high caliber effort to present in 2025 feels amazing. Elyshia and I are excited to be working alongside Nick and Johanna and look forward to having two young talented drivers, Leland Honeyman Jr., and Thomas Annunziata, showcase their potential in the highly competitive Xfinity Series. We are reunited with Bob Fisher at ECR for our engine program and will utilize RCR race cars for our return to the Xfinity Series.”
The 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series campaign will begin at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 15. Coverage of the event will be on The CW.
