UPDATE: Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 12:45 PM ET —
A representative from Big Machine Racing has confirmed to TobyChristie.com’s Joseph Srigley that currently, the No. 5 car is only scheduled to appear at Daytona International Speedway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
The representative also confirmed Chris Carrier, who works with Henderson Motorsports, will serve as the crew chief for Buford and the No. 5 team.
A representative from @bigmchnracing tells me that the organization's second entry, No. 5, is only scheduled to appear at @DAYTONA, at this time.
Chris Carrier, who works with @HendersonRace in the #NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, will serve as crew chief for @jade48buford. https://t.co/WIbmvhpCuL
— Joseph Srigley (@joe_srigley) February 2, 2023
ORIGINAL STORY: Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 11:03 AM ET —
Jade Buford, who served as the driver for Big Machine Racing in the team’s initial foray into the NASCAR Xfinity Series, will return to the organization in a second entry, which will carry the No. 5, in the season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway.
For Buford, the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 will mark the 46th start of his NASCAR Xfinity Series career, provided he makes the field. The Tennessee native, who competed admirably at Daytona last year before a late-race crash is ready to give it another go in 2023.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to the Xfinity series at Daytona with Big Machine Racing driving the No. 5 Big Machine Vodka DOUBLE SPIKED Coolers Chevrolet. I’m honored to be debuting the 2nd car for the team and looking forward to working with Parker as a teammate. This will be my first time having a teammate to work with so I’m very excited to see what we can do to make sure one of our BMR Chevrolets crosses the finish line first at the end of 300 miles on the high banks of Daytona,” said Buford.
Big Machine Racing is excited to add Buford as a teammate to Parker Kligerman, who will drive the No. 48 machine in 2023.
“Big Machine Racing is so proud to announce a second entry for Jade Buford at Daytona. He had an incredible Top 5 run going last year before being caught up in a wild last lap incident,” Big Machine Racing owner Scott Borchetta said in the release. “This year, to double the excitement and our winning opportunity, we’re doubling up with our Big Machine Double SPIKED Coolers #5 Chevrolet Camaro… and I’m visualizing a Big Machine Racing 1-2 finish”.
According to a release from Big Machine Racing, Buford will have a black and blue Chevrolet Camaro with Big Machine Vodka DOUBLE SPIKED Coolers sponsorship.
Buford was set to run the full NASCAR Xfinity Series season for Big Machine Racing in 2022, but after eight races, the team opted to go in a different direction in order to assess the competitiveness of its race cars.
The racer scored a best finish of eighth last season at Circuit of the Americas, and he finished 14th in a return race later in the season at Portland International Raceway.
