Matt Tifft gets 13-race opportunity with Joe Gibbs Racing
Matt Tifft, 19, will run 13 NASCAR Xfinity Series races for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2016.
Photo by: Venturini Motorsports
The up-and-coming racer will pilot the No. 18 Toyota Camry and sponsorship for the car will be announced at a later date.
The Ohio native made his NXS debut last season at Kentucky, scoring a top 10 finish after an impressive run for JGR. He also has 15 Camping World Truck Series starts, earning six top tens between 2014 and 2015.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to work with Joe Gibbs Racing for the 2016 season. I feel after our run last year at Kentucky that this is a great fit for me with an outstanding and well-respected organization, and I look forward to a very exciting and successful year driving the No. 18 Toyota Camry,” Tifft said in a release from the team.
Tifft's schedule
Tifft’s 2016 schedule will kick off at Richmond in April and also includes the following races: Dover (May 14), Iowa (June 19), Daytona (July 1), New Hampshire (July 16), Iowa (July 30), Mid-Ohio (August 13), Bristol (August 19), Road America (August 27), Kentucky (September 24), Charlotte (October 7), Texas (November 5), and Homestead (November 19).
“We take a lot of pride in using our XFINITY Series program to develop talent," added Steve DeSouza, Executive Vice President of NXS Operations for the team. "That not only includes our drivers, but crew chiefs and our team personnel as well. It’s great to have Matt expand his program with us in 2016 and have the opportunity to run alongside Erik and Daniel for a good portion of the season. When you add Cody Coughlin to our roster, who will drive part-time in the Truck Series with KBM, we feel fortunate to have so much young talent in our system.”
Tifft further exclaimed, “I am very excited to work again with Daniel Suarez, Erik Jones and Kyle Busch. Last year they helped me a ton with development, and I will continue to try and advance my career by drawing on the experience and talent of those around me. Hopefully I can also help them in some ways as well. I look forward to a very exciting and successful year driving the No. 18 Camry, and can't wait to get this year started!”
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