A new era will begin for Big Machine Racing in 2025 as the team turns to a Craftsman Truck Series championship contender.
According to a press release, Nick Sanchez will move up to the Xfinity Series on a full-time basis. He will drive the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro as Parker Kligerman leaves his full-time career behind. Gainbridge will continue its support of Sanchez while moving to Big Machine Racing as a full-time associate partner.
Sanchez currently competes in the Truck Series. He is in the playoffs on the strength of two wins. He is fourth in the standings heading to Bristol Motor Speedway.
"I couldn't be more excited to join Big Machine Racing with Chevrolet next year in the Xfinity Series," Sanchez said in a statement. "I'm grateful to get the opportunity to work with Scott Borchetta, Patrick Donahue, and the whole Big Machine team next year.
"This amazing opportunity would not be possible without Big Machine Records, Big Machine Vodka Spiked Coolers, Chevrolet, Gainbridge, the NASCAR Diversity program, Rev Racing, Bono, and everyone at Spire, who made this dream a reality. As a driver, I feel that I'm ready to move to the next level and I look forward to competing for wins and ultimately a championship next year driving the (No. 48) for Big Machine Racing!"
Congratulations Nick on this amazing accomplishment. From @ARCA_Racing to @NASCAR_Trucks, we have had a blast cheering for you every step of the way. Good luck on this next step of your career! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/4N32oalDGe
— Gainbridge Sports (@GainbridgeSport) September 18, 2024
Sanchez has previous experience working with Big Machine Racing. He was one of the drivers who made select starts for the Xfinity Series team in 2022.
Sanchez took over the No. 48 Chevrolet for six races, starting with a 29th-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway. He then competed at Texas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, and Phoenix Raceway.
Sanchez finished 12th or better in four of these races. He posted a career-best seventh-place finish at Martinsville Speedway.
"In 2022 we put Nick in our car for a handful of races and he was fast right out of the gate," said team owner Scott Borchetta. "At Martinsville in particular, I watched him go full-on, elbows out, putting the car right where it needed to be, with no fear against the best-of-the-best in the series.
"Since then, he's done a fantastic job in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and I know that he and Crew Chief Patrick Donahue and the entire Big Machine Racing Team are going to be a force to be reckoned with in 2025."
Sanchez will be part of a rookie class that also includes Watkins Glen winner Connor Zilisch and fellow Truck Series drivers Christian Eckes and Daniel Dye.