Darlington NXS Race Preview
DRIVER: Jade Buford / No. 48 Big Machine Dan Gurney Throwback
CREW CHIEF: Patrick Donahue
TRACK: Darlington Raceway
RACE: Steakhouse Elite 200 (147 laps / 200.1 miles)
DATE: Saturday, May 8, 2021
QUOTES
JADE BUFORD, DRIVER
“Darlington race week is finally here! Everybody is going to be blown away when they see our Dan Gurney Throwback scheme on the track. It’s absolutely beautiful and I couldn’t be more honored to get to drive it. This will be my first time at Darlington, and I know it’s a tough track to learn, but we’ve been to other tracks that have also been challenging and we’ve done pretty well. I’m full of optimism and ready to see what we can accomplish this weekend.”
SCOTT BORCHETTA, TEAM OWNER
“We go into this weekend not only honoring the famous Gurney No. 48 but also remembering another amazing driver who took the No. 48 to many great victories, one Mr. Bobby Unser. Dan and Bobby were two of the GOATs and this paint scheme has even more importance to me and race fans across the world as we remember two true legends.”
NOTES
DARLINGTON: Darlington Raceway will be another first-time track for driver Jade Buford as he continues his first full season in NASCAR Xfinity Series competition. The seasoned road racer has been impressive on ovals this year, putting together four top-20 finishes in six career starts on those tracks. He’s coming off his best finish of the season so far, earning an 18th-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway.
DAN GURNEY DARLINGTON THROWBACK: This weekend Buford will run a special throwback paint scheme honoring legendary racer Dan Gurney at Darlington Raceway. Gurney’s iconic Hot Wheels/All American Racers, Inc. (AAR) livery from the 1970 Trans Am Series season will be featured on Buford’s No. 48 Big Machine Chevrolet.
“Dan would be very happy and honored to see a younger version of himself drive a younger version of the old No. 48,” said the late Gurney’s wife, Evi Gurney. “The car in its colorful livery with its provocatively outsized number looks bold and modern just like it did fifty years ago on the 1970 Trans Am circuit. It was cool then and it is cool again now. Congratulations on this marvelous ‘vintage’ racing effort and best of luck to Jade and the team.”
AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR: Buford, an avid climber and outdoor enthusiast, returned to the challenging courses of NBC’s hit show American Ninja Warrior for the upcoming 13th season. The Nashville, Tenn. native previously put his fitness skills to the test by competing in seasons nine and 10. Tune in for the season premiere on May 31 to see if he made the cut!
SPIKED COOLERS NOW AVAILABLE: Big Machine Vodka Spiked Coolers hit shelves in multiple states just one month ago, debuting to impressive numbers. The refreshing ready-to-drink vodka juice pouches are made with real fruit juice and are available in three flavors – Tropical, Lemonade and Cranberry. The eco-friendly pouches come eight to a box and can be served chilled or frozen. Find out more at www.spikedcoolers.com.
TUNE IN
TV: FS1 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT
RADIO: MRN and Sirius XM Ch. 90 at 12:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. CT