Ryan Preece will drive the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing XFINITY Series car in two upcoming races, the organization announced Wednesday.
A NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour standout, Preece ran the entire 2016 XFINITY Series schedule with JD Motorsports. In 33 races, Preece earned one top-10 finish at Darlington Raceway and finished 17th in points. He has 36 career series starts.
However, the 26-year-old has since returned to his Northeastern racing roots, again running the Whelen Modified Tour schedule. In his first five races this year, Preece has been victorious twice.
Preece was crowned the series champion in 2013.
The Berlin, Connecticut, native’s XFINITY Series season debut with Joe Gibbs Racing will come at his home track, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, on July 15. Preece will also race at Iowa Speedway on July 29.
“Ryan is the latest young driver to help us with our NASCAR XFINITY Series program,” said Steve deSouza, Joe Gibbs Racing executive vice president of XFINITY and development, in a team release. “He has been on fire this year with the Modifieds and we have him starting at his home track in New Hampshire for us. He is very excited about the opportunity and we are looking forward to working with him.”
Preece also has five career starts in the Monster Energy Series. All five starts came in 2015 with Preece earning a career-best 32nd-place finish at New Hampshire in his debut.
“I am really excited about the opportunity to race for Joe Gibbs racing and my crew chief Chris Gabehart and the whole 20 team,” said Preece. “It seems like a great group and they obviously have a great team.
“I am looking forward to being a part of the 20 team and having a winning car. Now I need to put in the time, the effort, the work and get it done. I’m very excited.”