BROOKLYN, Mich: Marco Andretti, the 2022 Superstar Racing Experience champion will make his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut for Big Machine Racing this fall at the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway ROVAL in October, team owner Scott Borchetta announced Sunday in Nashville.
Andretti, also a long-time IndyCar competitor and son of Michael Andretti and grandson of Mario Andretti will compete in his third different racing platform this year by tackling the Drive for the Cure 250 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, aboard the No. 48 Spiked Coolers Chevrolet.
He retired from full-time IndyCar competition at the conclusion of the 2020 season citing an opportunity to reset and compete in other forms of Motorsports.
“I’m grateful to Scott Borchetta for giving me this cool opportunity to try my hand at an Xfinity road course,” said Andretti. “I have really taken a liking to the stock car experience and look forward to having some fun driving the No. 48 Big Machine Vodka Spiked Coolers Camaro in Charlotte.”
With the addition of Andretti, a two-time IndyCar winner to a Xfinity Series lineup, he will join fellow IndyCar drivers Santino Ferrucci and Sage Karam as the latest open wheel competitor this year to compete in both series.
All three drivers participated in May’s Indianapolis 500 at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Since driver Jade Buford was released from his full-time driving responsibilities earlier this season, Austin Dillon, Ty Dillon, Kaz Grala, Tyler Reddick and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. have all taken turns driving the No. 48 Big Machine Chevrolet Camaro throughout the Xfinity Series season.
Reddick scored the team’s inaugural Xfinity Series victory at Texas Motor Speedway in May.
With Big Machine Racing’s current pace in the NASCAR Xfinity Series ownership standings, Marco Andretti is all but assured a starting spot in the 29th race of the season.
“I am so excited that Marco Andretti will be driving our No. 48 Big Machine Vodka Spiked Coolers Camaro in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at the Roval in Charlotte,” added team owner Borchetta. “He’s done such a great job in SRX and I think his skills will shine brightly in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.”
The 35-year-old will be the first Andretti to compete in one of NASCAR’s top series since the late John Andretti competed in the Daytona 500 in 2010 for Front Row Motorsports.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
