Phoenix Race Report

Race 5 of 33: Call 811 Before You Dig 200

Location: Phoenix Raceway (1-mile oval)

Format: 200 laps / 200 miles

Buford’s Finish: 20th

Jade Buford, driver of the No. 48 Big Machine Spiked Cooler Chevrolet, put together an impressive performance in his first NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Phoenix Raceway on Saturday afternoon. After starting 32nd, he steadily improved his position throughout the course of the 200-lap event and worked his way up into the top 10 by the final stage of the race.

Buford was battling hard for position well inside the top 15 late in the race when he got up into the marbles and brushed the wall with just over 20 laps to go. Undeterred by the loss of track position, Buford and the No. 48 team rallied back to finish 20th after pitting for a fresher set of tires during the final caution of the race with less than 10 laps to go.

The 20th-place finish ties Buford’s previous best effort of the season that he earned at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Jade Buford, driver of the No. 48 Big Machine Spiked Cooler Chevrolet Camaro:

“It was a good day for our Big Machine Spiked Cooler team. I was very optimistic that we would be capable of running up into the top 10 at Phoenix and at short tracks like this where more driving technique comes into play. We were able to accomplish that today and I think we’re going to consistently be able to be up there as the season goes on and I continue to learn these tracks.”

Next Up:

The NASCAR Xfinity Series heads to Atlanta Motor Speedway for the EchoPark 250. Tune in to Fox Sports 1 or Sirius XM Channel 90 on Saturday, March 20 at 5:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. CT.