Australian Supercars veteran Jack Perkins will move up his NASCAR debut. He will join Joe Gibbs Racing for an event that kicks off the month of July.
According to Supercars, Perkins will take over the No. 19 Toyota GR Supra during the Xfinity Series Chicago street race on Saturday, July 5. He will have Shaw and Partners Financial Services as his primary partner. Several other companies will join as associate partners.
Perkins previously worked out a deal to join Joe Gibbs Racing for the NASCAR trip to Portland International Raceway in August. He agreed to drive the No. 19 Toyota during the road course race while the other two national NASCAR series head to Darlington Raceway.
Photo credit: Jack Perkins
However, Perkins revealed that a last-minute deal came together with Joe Gibbs Racing, one that he put together in a unique place.
"On Friday as I was heading to Darwin with (7 News) for Supercars, I got the call from JGR that they were looking for a driver for the 19 at the only street track on the NASCAR calendar," Perkins wrote on Instagram.
"At the airport I called Earl Evans from Shaw and Partners Financial Services and told him about the vacancy and to have a think about it on the flight to Darwin.
"Earl instantly said we don't think, we make decisions and you've got to do it, and stick around Sunday to cheer on and support my old team mate in (Will Brown) in the Cup Series race on Sunday."
According to Veracity Media, who will join Perkins for the Xfinity Series race, the veteran driver spent the entire flight working out the details. He communicated with Joe Gibbs Racing and sponsors via text and email while finalizing this major deal.
Perkins will see a familiar face during Saturday's Xfinity Series event. Three-time Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen will pull double duty in Chicago as he drives for JR Motorsports and Trackhouse Racing.