INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – JD Motorsports with Gary Keller owner Johnny Davis confirmed to CATCHFENCE.com that he’ll have a new driver aboard his No 01 Chevrolet Camaro next weekend at Iowa Speedway.
Davis along with team partner Gary Keller field three full-time NASCAR XFINITY Series entries for Landon Cassill, Ross Chastain and Harrison Rhodes. Next weekend, however, Cassill will be at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway handling his NASCAR Sprint Cup responsibilities for Hillman Racing.
Logistically speaking, the cross-country journey from Long Pond, Pennsylvania to Newton, Iowa didn’t make sense, thus opening the door for a substitute driver to fill in.
Davis would not elaborate on his new driver, other than he has not made an XFINITY Series start in 2015. The announcement with a sponsor is expected early next week.
Davis also said the to-be-announced driver has prior experience in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series division and would also drive one of the team’s entries in at least one of the upcoming road course events in August.
With silly season chatter beginning to take shape, Davis says he’d like to have three full-time cars again in 2016, but additional sponsorship would be needed to fulfill the team’s goals and aspirations.
“I haven’t talked to Landon yet about next year, but I want to have him back,” said Davis.
While a contract is not in place for next year, Davis said that he has a verbal commitment from Ross Chastain to return as the driver of the No. 4 Chevrolet Camaro in 2016. The Alva, Florida native is in his first full season of XFINITY Series competition.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
