Cassill to ‘Throwback’ in Xfinity Series with JD Motorsports

By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer

While most teams will simply a throwback paint scheme during the Throwback Weekend at Darlington Raceway, Landon Cassill and JD Motorsports with Gary Keller will go one step further. The current Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver will return to his former NASCAR Xfinity Series team for the Sports Clips Haircuts VFW 200.

Cassill last competed for JDM in the 2015 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. During his three-year tenure with JDM, the 28-year-old earned five of the teams’ 37 Top-10 finishes to date. Cassill’s best finish with in the familiar No. 01 Flex Seal Chevrolet Camaro SS, that he will be driving once again on Saturday, was eighth (three times), including once at Darlington.

Cassill has 10 starts at the ‘Track too Tough to Tame,’ three in the Xfinity Series, and seven in NASCAR’s Premier Series. In NASCAR’s Top Series, his best finish was 20^thin 2015.

“I am beyond excited to be back with Johnny and his guys on this special weekend,” Cassill said. “It’s a great opportunity to drive a good car in the Xfinity Series and to bring back some great memories we had on the circuit for several years. Having Flex Seal and my old number along for the ride just makes it that much more special.”

Cassill will replace Sunoco Rookie of the Year competitor Vinnie Miller in the No. 01. The veteran driver will also fill a void that is being left by Ross Chastain who will start a three-race run with Chip Ganassi Racing this weekend. Miller will move to the teams’ No. 0 with Garrett Smithley shifting to No. 4, usually driven by Chastain.

Team owner Johnny Davis said it was a natural move to put Cassill back in the No. 01.

“We like participating in this special weekend, and I was happy to get Landon back to do this with us,” Davis said. “We had a lot of great runs and fun times with Landon. It will be special to relive some of those times this weekend.”

Entering ‘The Lady in Black,’ the JDM No. 01 is 33^rd in the Championship Owner’s Points Standings. It is 30^th among full-time teams, meaning it is the final team currently locked in on points on a race-to-race basis. The team is four points ahead of SS-Green Light Racing’s No. 76, and 38-Points ahead of JP Motorsports’ No. 45.