NEWTON, Iowa: If Brett Moffitt wants an opportunity to score his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series win in Saturday’s Hy-Vee PERKS 250 at Iowa Speedway, he’ll have to do so from the back.
In a unique turn of events, Moffitt’s first and, at this time, only planned Xfinity Series race of the season aboard the No. 19 Toyota Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing will see him start from an unexpected position deep in the field from the 29th position. This was a result of an unforeseen twist-Mother Nature soaking the 0.875-mile short track moments before the first car made its qualifying attempt.
The rain intensified after a few minutes forcing NASCAR officials to make the call and cancel the series’ session and set the line up by the rule book.
Like any other rainout situation, the lineup was set by metrics, and with Moffitt not in the car last weekend at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway – the metrics worked against the Grimes, Iowa. native forcing his worst Iowa Speedway Xfinity start in two previous races.
Undeterred by the setback, Moffitt’s competitive spirit shines through as he expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to compete at his hometown track for one of the powerhouse Xfinity Series teams.
“Yeah, it means a lot,” Moffitt said at Iowa Speedway about being a part of this weekend’s festivities at Iowa Speedway. “You know, obviously, it being Father’s Day weekend is the most special part of it. Getting to come back here and spend time with my family and then get to celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday.”
A two-time NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series winner at Iowa Speedway competing for two different teams, Hattori Racing Enterprises and GMS Racing, respectively, Moffitt is hoping his winning success on Father’s Day weekend will carry over to his first Xfinity Series race at Iowa Speedway since 2017.
“Hopefully, the (Xfinity) race goes well,” added Moffitt. “(I) got two trophies from here on Father’s Day, so hopefully we can add another one.”
Unlike last year when Moffitt carried AM Racing to a memorable inaugural year of Xfinity Series competition, Moffitt has made just a few NASCAR starts this season, including a pair of Truck Series races for TRICON Garage.
Still, Moffitt has relied on his work ethic to remain at the forefront of the team’s radar.
“Yeah, I think the biggest part of it is my father’s work ethic, he instilled that in me at a very early age,” explained Moffitt. “When we started racing go-karts. It literally just started as a hobby, as he worked all the time and my mom told him he needed something to do.
“We got to doing that, I started karts and hated it, but a year later, I wanted to do it again. I think just the quality of people around here, good people, very family-oriented, hard workers. That has gotten me a lot through my racing career. If I didn’t have that backbone, not sure I’d be here today.”
Having time to enjoy the scenery again at Iowa Speedway, Moffitt knows winning Saturday afternoon’s race would be one of the pinnacle moments of his Xfinity Series career.
“It’d be huge! Not going to lie, that’d be very difficult,” explained Moffitt. “Obviously, we’re in a very good race team with JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing), but to run a part-time schedule, you have get caught up to speed quick. You have to execute all the small details and be there at the end of the race. It’d mean the world to me, one of the biggest wins of my career, personally.
“Just given the circumstances with the lack of racing this year. Getting this opportunity in the Xfinity Series, I’ve wanted the chance to win Xfinity Series races for a long time and you know, it never aligned. So, to be with one of the best teams in the garage is huge and gives me a lot of confidence.”
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