Jesse Iwuji to make surprise NASCAR return at Talladega

The NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway will feature a name fans haven't seen on the track since February, 2023. Jesse Iwuji, 38, has entered the race as the driver of the No. 91 DGM Racing Chevrolet.

Iwuji is an officer in the US Navy Reserve with experience as a driver, team owner and even as a pit reporter in NASCAR. He ran 17 NASCAR Xfinity races between 2020 and 2023, placing as high as 11th at Daytona International Speedway. He also has 16 previous starts in the NASCAR Truck Series with a best finish of 17th at Texas Motor Speedway.

DGM Racing, owned by Mario Gosselin, has used three different drivers in its No. 91 car so far this year. Josh Bilicki, Myatt Snider, C.J. McLaughlin all got behind the wheel. They also field a second full-time entry with Ryan Ellis piloting the No. 71 Chevrolet. The team is partnering with Jesse Iwuji Motorsports for the effort.

Iwuji has competed at Talladega in both the Xfinity and Truck Series, as well as ARCA in the past. He finished 15th in an ARCA race at Talladega in 2018, 19th in a Truck race there the following year, and 28th in his lone Xfinity race at Talladega in 2022.

There are 41 cars on the entry list for the NASCAR Xfinity race at Talladega, but only 38 spots available on the grid. Katherine Legge, who missed the Xfinity race at Rockingham with Jordan Anderson Racing before arranging for a race day ride with Joey Gase Motorsports, is among those entered into the event.