Morgen Baird, known for his victories at several different facilities across Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, is set to make his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut in Saturday’s Toyota Care 250 at Richmond Raceway, the driver announced on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old racer will join forces with JD Motorsports for this weekend’s event at the three-quarter-mile facility in Richmond, Virginia, driving the No. 6 Chevrolet Camaro. Sponsorship for the effort will come from Baird’s long-time partner Long Drink.
Happy to announce I’ll be making my @NASCAR_Xfinity debut this weekend at @RichmondRaceway! I’ll be driving the #6 @thelongdrink Chevy for @JDMotorsports01 I’m very excited about this opportunity and look forward to this weekend! Let’s go! @classicturning @vanstonobrien pic.twitter.com/WT74yrdmBl
— Morgen John Baird (@MorgenBaird) March 27, 2024
“I’ve always dreamed of competing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series,” said Baird. “To have this opportunity with JD Motorsports and to represent Long Drink is a dream come true. I’m grateful for the chance to showcase what I can do on such a prestigious stage.”
This weekend’s event at Richmond Raceway will mark not only the NASCAR Xfinity Series debut for Baird, a native of Grass Lake, Michigan, but also a debut in NASCAR’s National Series. When it comes to the upper levels of professional motorsports, Baird has 13 starts in the ARCA Menards Series.
Since making his ARCA Menards Series debut eight years ago, Baird has recorded three top-10 finishes, all of which have come in his last four starts. Last Summer at Michigan International Speedway, Baird finished a career-best sixth place for Fast Track Racing and Andy Hillenberg.
“We are thrilled to have Morgen join our team for this race,” said team owner of JD Motorsports. “He’s a talented driver with a genuine passion for racing, and we believe he has what it takes to succeed at this level. We’re excited to see him in action at Richmond Raceway.”
After a difficult mechanical failure at Circuit of The Americas with Ty Dillon behind the wheel, the No. 6 Chevrolet Camaro sits 34th in NASCAR Xfinity Series owner points, having had both Garrett Smithley and Dillon behind the wheel of the entry this season.
Luckily for Baird, the pressure is completely off, as the No. 66 for MBM Motorsports has withdrawn from Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series event at Richmond, leaving only 38 drivers on the preliminary entry list for the event. Therefore, all drivers who enter will make the race.
Saturday’s 250-lap contest from Richmond is just the first step in what Baird hopes is a path to the NASCAR Cup Series, where he one day hopes to compete.
One Response
Been following Morgan Baird from the start of his career,he is very passionate about the sport of racing followed up by a great attitude!#1 fan base at Michigan international speedway due to his friends and race fans alike,Morgan Baird is truly a great wheelman! Just wish that those in the racing world would also see this and take note his passion for the sport! Knowing and following Morgan I believe that by giving him the chance to prove himself you’ve made the right decision! He won’t let you down! Thank you JD motorsports for your support!! Forever a follower of MORGAN BAIRD racing.Lee B.