Dale Earnhardt Jr has no plans to run any races in the 2025 Xfinity Series, but he has signed on a couple of Cup Series drivers to run a few races in the JR Motorsports number nine car this season – “The Melon Man” Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen.
The Trackhouse Racing teammates will run a total of nine races – five for Chastain and four for SVG.
The Melon Man will run Circuit of the America, Darlington Raceway, Nashville Superspeedway, Dover Motor Speedway, and Iowa Speedway.
A road course expert, van Gisbergen will run Mexico City, the Chicago Street Race, Sonoma Raceway, and Watkins Glen International.
Chastain spoke on running in the Xfinity Series saying,“I think there is a lot of benefit to getting seat time on Saturdays in the Xfinity Series. Getting an opportunity to do it with JR Motorsports is too good an opportunity to pass up. I know every time I climb in their Chevrolets, we will have a chance to win.”
Van Gisbergen added, “I’m trying to get as much experience as I can. JR Motorsports is one of the top teams and won the championship with Justin Allgaier. I can’t wait to get started.”
JRM drivers Justin Allgaier and Sammy Smith return to compete full time at JRM. Carson Kvapil comes on board to drive the 88 car and newcomer Connor Zilisch has signed on to run some races.
After winning the Chicago Street Race in his first time in a NASCAR stock car, van Gisbergen went on to race full time last season in the Xfinity Series and will run for Rookie of the Year honours in the Cup Series in 2025.
The Melon Man returns to Trackhouse Racing for his fourth season in the Cup Series.