Marco Andretti stepped back from a full-time NTT IndyCar Series schedule this year, but his dreams of an Indianapolis 500 victory still persist. (IndyCar Photo)
Marco Andretti will make his NASCAR debut in October. (IndyCar Photo)

Andretti To Race Xfinity Series Roval Race

CONCORD, N.C. — Marco Andretti will make his NASCAR debut, piloting the No. 48 Big Machine Racing Chevrolet Oct. 7 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval.

Andretti, a two-time NTT IndyCar Series winner, will pilot a stock car in the NASCAR Xfinity Series after 17 seasons driving an open-wheel car. 

“I am so excited that Marco Andretti will be driving our Big Machine Vodka Spiked Coolers No. 48 Camaro in the NASCAR Xfinity series at the Roval in Charlotte,” Scott Borchetta, Big Machine Racing owner said. “He’s done such a great job in SRX and I think his skills will shine brightly in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.”

The third-generation racer won the Superstar Racing Experience championship this summer, after out-dueling drivers such as Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman and Bobby Labonte for the title in the six-race series for specially built race cars. 

“I’m grateful to Scott Borchetta for giving me this cool opportunity to try my hand at an Xfinity road course,” Andretti said. “I have really taken a liking to the stock car experience and look forward to having some fun driving the Big Machine Vodka Spiked Coolers No. 48 Camaro in Charlotte.”

Big Machine Racing races full time in the Xfinity Series and has utilized numerous drivers including Austin Dillon and Tyler Reddick in the No. 48 since parting ways with Jade Buford earlier this year.