Justin Bonsignore making NASCAR Xfinity Series debut with Joe Gibbs Racing
Three-time Whelen Modified Tour champion Justin Bonsignore is set to make his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut this season. Bonsignore will drive for Joe Gibbs Racing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
In his career in NASCAR’s Whelen Modified Tour, Justin Bonsignore has done about all there is to do. A three-time champion, 2018, 2020, 2021, Bonsignore is still at the top of his game. He finished runner-up in the championship standings a year ago.
Bonsignore made an ARCA Menards Series start at Daytona this season. It was his debut and first time on a superspeedway. That day ended in a DNF P32 finish, but such is the nature of Daytona.
Bonsignore has two Modified wins at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and has raced there twice a season every season since 2010. Now he’s suiting up for Joe Gibbs at NHMS.
Justin Bonsignore will be representing all of those Modified drivers who never got their big break. Ryan Preece is still in the Cup Series, perhaps the most high-profile modified driver in stock car racing right now.
I really like this move. He’s familiar with the track, Joe Gibbs has great equipment – it will be a true test of Bonsignore and his talents.
It feels like teams are giving these regional drivers more looks. Perhaps there is a new revival of more experienced, talented drivers picking up opportunities versus young and inexperienced ones with big checks.
Justin Bonsignore gets his big break in NASCAR
Recently in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, we have seen drivers like Bubba Pollard, Carson Kvapil, Ryan Truex, and others get a chance to shine. Truex was able to get a win, his second in two years at Dover. You would think someone would find a ride for him somewhere.
My point is, that the Xfinity Series has been a great test for these drivers. It will be a great test for Justin Bonsignore as well. His test in the ARCA Menards Series was not promising. Then again, New Hampshire is nothing like Daytona.
With 41 wins in just 212 starts in the Whelen Modified Tour, Bonsignore knows how to get the job done. This could be his big test. If he does well, is impressive and gets a top-10 finish, maybe he gets more looks.
Then again, if he struggles with JGR equipment, it could be a sign that he isn’t ready. There might be a bigger gap in talent between the Modifieds and the NASCAR national series than we thought. Hoping for an entertaining Xfinity Series debut for Justin Bonsignore.