Small Team Spotlight: NASCAR Xfinity Series, Big Machine Racing (2021-Current)

In January of 2021, it was announced that Big Machine Racing would be formed for the upcoming season. Big Machine Records founder Scott Borchetta had gained an interest in motorsports previously, and had been introduced to the world of the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Signing with SS-Green Light Racing and part-time driver Jade Buford for a few road course races in 2020, Borchetta was bitten by the Xfinity bug and started his own team.

2021:

For the upcoming season, it was announced that road racer Jade Buford would get the call to drive the No. 48 Chevrolet. Buford (who already knew Borchetta through road racing circles) would contest the full season. Carrying sponsorship from Big Machine Spiked Coolers and hiring veteran crew chief Patrick Donahue, the team was set to make its own history. Then came the first race of the season in Daytona….

Rookie contender Jade Buford was unfortunately not approved to run the superspeedway in Daytona, automatically putting the team behind the eight ball. Truck Series driver Danny Bohn got the call in for Buford. Bohn, who brought Truck Series sponsor North American Motor Car with him, showed the team had some speed out of the gate. Bohn would qualify 28th and finish a surprising 19th, running all 122 laps.

Buford would officially make his debut the following race, which ironically was at the Daytona Road Course. Buford would again qualify 28th, but finish 36th due to suspension issues. Shaking off the rough start to the season, Buford and the No. 48 Chevrolet pointed themselves towards the rest of 2021.

2021 would prove how tough starting a brand-new team would be, as Big Machine Racing experienced the growing pains all new teams go through. The 48 team and Buford would prove they belonged however, as they would qualify decently and have several Top 20 finishes throughout the season. The highlight came at Michigan, where Buford would score his first career Top 10, coming home 9th.

With a solid foundation, and the team returning intact for 2022, Big Machine Racing was set to take the next steps. Borchetta and Big Machine Racing would form an alliance with Richard Childress Racing and move on campus. This was an impressive accomplishment for the team, as such an alliance is rare for a sophomore team and driver.

2022:

The new season looked to be the start of something more for the Big Machine team, but performance quickly seemed to be on the downturn. After finishing 23rd at Daytona, Buford and team would struggle mightily. Save for a 6th place finish at COTA, Buford would finish no better than 22nd through race 8 in Martinsville.

After such a poor start to the season, Borchetta and the 48 team decided they needed to right the ship, calling upon the alliance with Richard Childress Racing (after an inspiring walk-through of the RCR facilities with Childress himself).

Kaz Grala would start the next two races at Talladega and Dover, finishing a best of 24th (Dover). The revolving door of drivers would then begin for the team, as Tyler Reddick and Austin Dillon would fill in the next few races. Jade Buford would make (as of this writing) his final start for the team in Portland. Buford performed in a rainy Portland however, as his road racing experience would earn him a 14th place finish.

Through race 31 in Homestead, the veteran experience for the still new team would prove to be useful. Tyler Reddick would score the first win for Big Machine Racing in Texas, as well as (2) Top 5’s and (2) Top 10’s in 5 starts.

Thus far in 2022, the Big Machine Racing No. 48 Chevrolet has seen a superstar lineup behind the wheel. This lineup has included likes of Grala, Parker Kligerman, Ross Chastain, Marco Andretti, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., and 2022 ARCA Menards Series Champion Nick Sanchez. Full 2022 results as of Homestead can be found below.

2023:

While nothing has been announced as of yet for 2023, it has been noted that Big Machine Racing would like to return to one full-time driver. The talented Nick Sanchez seems to be a good fit for the third-year team, having limited Xfinity experience in 2022 , combined with an impressive championship run in the ARCA Menards Series. Many believe he is certainly ready to take that next step.