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Former NASCAR Truck Series team Martins Motorsports will compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series full time in 2020, with Tommy Joe Martins as the primary driver for the number #44 Chevrolet. Long time sponsor & family friend Rodney Riessen will join Craig Martins as co-owners of the Mooresville based organization.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s so exciting,\u201d driver Tommy Joe Martins said, \u201cExtremely nerve wracking but also really exciting. We\u2019ve learned so much over these last few years about this series & the business as a whole. I\u2019ve improved a lot as a driver. Having Rodney [Riessen] as a partner in this thing is a game changer. He\u2019s just as passionate about the success of this team as dad & I are.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 2020 campaign will mark a return to the national series level for Martins Motorsports after the team ceased operations in 2017 following a partial season in the NASCAR Truck Series with Martins, Austin Wayne Self, & Matt Mills as drivers. The team also attempted a full season effort in 2014, but shut down mid-season after a series of DNQ\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Martins has run part time in the Xfinity Series since 2017, running 46 total races for both BJ McLeod Motorsports & MBM Motorsports with a best finish of 11th<\/sup>\u00a0at Iowa Speedway in 2017 for BJMM. Martins\u2019 last race for MBM came at Phoenix in 2019 where he finished 17th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve done this before. We know how hard it is,\u201d Martins said. \u201cWe\u2019ve done it right & we\u2019ve done it wrong. The biggest difference this time is my experience & the school of hard knocks both my dad & Rodney have had to learn from to get to this point. We\u2019ve also got some great partners with Diamond Gusset, AAN Adjusters, & a few others that hopefully we\u2019ll be announcing very soon. Everyone is all in to make this thing work.\u201d<\/p>\n Martins #44 will carry the familiar silver & blue colors of his long time sponsor, Diamond Gusset Jeans. The Bon Aqua, TN based American apparel company has been a staunch supporter of Martins since his first Xfinity efforts in 2014. The total number of races hasn\u2019t yet been confirmed.<\/p>\n \u201cHaving David [Hall \u2013 DG owner] & Diamond Gusset as a part of this is special. They\u2019re family. They\u2019re as much a part of this as anyone on this team,\u201d Martins said.<\/p>\n When asked about getting out of the seat if a funded driver was to come along, Martins was his usual outspoken self.<\/p>\n \u201cOh absolutely,\u201d Martins laughed. \u201cI\u2019d gladly step out. I love driving these cars, but the best thing financially for this race team is to have me as a part time driver, not a full time one. Right now I just want to focus on starting this year strong, getting us up in the points, & proving to everyone this is a competitive race team. I think everything takes care of itself from that point on.\u201d<\/p>\n A crew chief has not been named yet, but when asked about it Tommy Joe said the team is in, \u201cdiscussions,\u201d and wants to confirm the position after the first of the year. The team will run Rob Fisher Engines (formerly Collins Engines), & utilize a combination of GMS & KBM chassis.<\/p>\n