Mahwah Native To Race Full Time In NASCAR Xfinity Series

MAHWAH, NJ — A Mahwah race driver has been added to the lineup for the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series season for RSS Racing, and will drive a Ford Mustang in at least 28 events for the family racing team.

“I’m very grateful to be welcomed into the RSS Racing family,” said Joe Graf, Jr., who will be playing his fourth season in the Xfinity Series this year.

“I’m starting a new chapter in my career in the Xfinity Series in 2023,” said the Mahwah native, “and I’m determined to do my best for now.

Graf, Jr., will also host a partial five-race Xfinity schedule for Joe Gibbs Racing in the No. 19 Toyota GR Supra.

“To race five races with JGR is a fantastic opportunity,” said Graf, Jr., “I think I can learn a lot from JGR and showcase my skills that I’ve developed on the show over the past three years. 2023 is shaping up to be a great year and I’m excited to start with Group No. 19.”

The 24-year-old will join RSS Racing for his first Xfinity race on February 18 at Beef. That’s what’s for dinner. 300. at Daytona International Speedway in Florida, then will make its JGR debut on Feb. 25 at Auto Club Speedway in California.

Graf, Jr., will move to RSS Racing full-time, after parting ways with SS-Green Light Racing last year and ending a three-year relationship with the organization.

In his decision to join the Sugar Hill, Georgia team, he will expand his partnerships with sponsors Bucked Up Energy Drink, CoverSeal, G-Coin, Gtechniq and JACOB Companies, and enter into a new master branding partnership with Lefcourt Brothers Racing. , a group of car enthusiasts.

“Without the support of my long-time partners, this season would not have been possible,” said Graf, Jr.. “I look forward to the opportunity to race near the front in their colors with RSS Racing in 2023.”

Graf, Jr. notched a career-best eighth in 2022 at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama. He also won and scored multiple top-10 finishes in 2018 in the Automobile Racing Club of America Menards Series.

“We have seen Joe’s improved track performance during the 2022 Xfinity Series season and believe he can continue that progression with RSS Racing this season,” the team spokesperson said. Rod Sieg.

“Joe brings welcome enthusiasm with a determined focus to help make 2023 one of the best seasons yet for RSS Racing,” added Sieg.