Ryan Truex will return to drive in the Xfinity Series for the first time since 2012, driving three races this season for Richard Petty Motorsports, it was announced Wednesday.
Truex, who has not raced in any of NASCAR’s three premier series this season, will make his first start of 2015 for RPM in next weeks Virginia529 College Savings 250 at Richmond International Raceway (Sept. 11 at 7:30 pm ET, televised on NBCSN).
The Mayetta, N.J. native and younger brother of Sprint Cup regular Martin Truex Jr., will also compete in Xfinity races at Kentucky Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Truex will drive the No. 98 Ford Mustang in a partnership between RPM and Biagi DenBeste Racing.
Truex has 35 Xfinity starts to date with one pole, two top-five and nine top-10 finishes. His best finish in the series was second at Dover in 2012.
Overall, Truex has made 65 career starts across NASCAR’s three top series.
Making his first start at RIR makes sense, as Truex has four career Xfinity starts there, with one top-five and two top-10 finishes there.
“I’m very grateful to Biagi DenBeste Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports for the opportunity to get back behind the wheel in the NASCAR Xfinity Series,” Truex said in a statement. “I’ve had some time away from racing, and it’s given me a chance to refocus on my career.
“I feel more driven than ever to perform well and prove that I can race with the best in the sport. I’d like to thank the fans as well. They’ve been really supportive of me on social media, asking when I’ll be back racing again. I’m looking forward to putting on a great show for them.”
Truex will compete in the same car that Aric Almirola and Sam Hornish have shared for 11 races this season, with three top-10s and eight top-15 finishes.
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