MOORESVILLE, North Carolina (February 9, 2016) – – Officials from B.J. McLeod Motorsports (BJMM) announced today the signing of NASCAR veteran driver Chris Fontaine to pilot the second NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) team car in the upcoming PowerShares® QQQ 300 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.
Fontaine will drive the No. 99 Ford Mustang in the Feb. 20 XFINITY Series season-opener in a former Roush Fenway Racing car acquired by the team during the off-season.
Fontaine’s XFINITY Series debut will be backed by RackTails Gear with additional support from Glenden Enterprises and JPS Ford.
RackTails is a fashion company specializing in everything from tee-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and more for the hunting and fishing enthusiast.
“I’m thrilled about this opportunity to race in the NASCAR XFINITY Series,” said Fontaine. “When it comes to plate racing, it’s some of my favorite racing. B.J. has done a great job getting his XFINITY Series team together in a relatively short amount of time and I honestly think we can go to Daytona and turn some heads.”
In addition to his duties in the XFINITY Series, Fontaine will jumpstart his 2016 season by competing in Friday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) NextEra Energy Resources 250 race in a partnership with BJMM.
Fontaine will drive the No. 78 RackTails Gear / Glenden Enterprises Toyota Tundra and is poised to make his 54th series start overall.
In five prior NCWTS starts at Daytona, the 34-year-old has drafted to a track best of seventh in 2012, while starting a track best eighth last February.
“I think running double-duty at Daytona will prove to have its benefits,” offered Fontaine. “Not only does it allow more time in the draft, but it keeps me busy jumping back and forth between the two series. Something that you may learn in the truck you can try to apply to the XFINITY Series car and vice-versa. I’m a little rambunctious to get things going.”
Team principal B.J. McLeod, who will also compete in the PowerShares® QQQ 300 in his No. 78 Batteries Plus Bulbs Ford Mustang couldn’t think of having a better teammate, especially when it comes to restrictor plate racing.
“Anytime that Chris is entered for a superspeedway race, you know he’s going to be in the mix,” McLeod said. “He’s not afraid to get in the thick of the battle and dice it out among the best. We’re confident that our equipment will allow us to be in good shape once the green flag waves.”
Jason Houghtaling will serve as crew chief for Fontaine’s XFINITY Series effort.
For more on B.J. McLeod, please visit his official Facebook page, while also visiting the team’s new website at BJMcLeodMotorsports.com. Additionally, the team is growing their presence on Twitter, with the team’s new account @teamBJMcLeod. McLeod also utilizes his personal twitter too, @BJMcLeod78.
The PowerShares® QQQ 300 (120 laps / 300 miles) is the first of 33 NASCAR XFINITY Series on the 2016 schedule. Practice begins on Friday, February 19 from 10:30 a.m. – 11:55 a.m. A second practice has been etched in from 1:00 p.m. – 1:55 p.m., while a final session is set for 3:00 p.m. – 3:55 p.m. Qualifying is set for race day, Saturday, February 20 beginning at 10:00 a.m. The 40-car field will take the green flag shortly after 3:30 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports 1, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Satellite Radio, Channel 90).
PHOTO CAPTION: The layout of the No. 99 RackTails Gear / Glenden Enterprises Ford Mustang for driver Chris Fontaine in the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) for B.J. McLeod Motorsports.
