AMERICA’S TIRE 250
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Monterey, CA USA
Friday 22 September 2017
15, Lexus, Lexus RCF GT3, GTD, Jack Hawksworth
World Copyright: Michael L. Levitt
LAT Images
Jack Hawksworth, a former IndyCar and current IMSA driver, will make his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut this weekend at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course driving the No. 18 Toyota of Joe Gibbs Racing.
The 28-year-old has two IMSA wins on the season including a GTD class win at Mid-Ohio in May.
“I’m excited to be joining the Joe Gibbs Racing team and driving the No. 18 iK9 Toyota Supra this weekend at Mid-Ohio,” Hawksworth said in a press release. “It’s a fantastic opportunity in a completely different series, against completely different competition and in a different type of racing.
“From a personal perspective, I’m very excited to experience something new and to be challenged in a new way. It’s going to be very different, I’m sure it’s going to be difficult and there’s going to be a bit of a learning curve with it, but I’m going into it with a championship-winning organization so that gives me a lot of confidence. I look to get out there and do a good job and looking forward to getting out on the track.”
Jeffrey Earnhardt and iK9 parted ways on Tuesday.
“As we head in to the second road course of the season, we’re fortunate to have a veteran like Jack Hawksworth be able to come out of the Lexus program to help out the Toyota family and our team in the No. 18 iK9 Supra this weekend,” said Steve DeSouza, Executive Vice President of Xfinity Series and Development for Joe Gibbs Racing in a press release. “He will bring a great deal of experience and a history of success to JGR this weekend.
“I think he’ll be a great asset to our team and be someone that both Brandon (Jones) and Christopher (Bell) can look to for advice on how to get around Mid-Ohio. He’s proven he can win at the track and no reason not to continue that this weekend with the 18 team.”
