After running four full-time Xfinity Series teams in 2019, MBM Motorsports is scaling back to just two such teams in 2020, putting more of an emphasis on its NASCAR Cup Series program.
Team owner Carl Long tells Frontstretch that running four teams in 2019 was a bit much at times, with his team’s best car finishing 29th in owner’s points. Scaling back to two full-time teams should allow the team — 30 people deep (36 including its engine program) — to focus more in individual areas.
Long confirmed that there is no set driver lineup, but Timmy Hill and Chad Finchum will be the team’s primary drivers. He’s expecting a rotation of drivers similar to its 2019 lineup, should a driver bring funding to the team to fill one of its two slots. The team will run three cars in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 15 and could also do so sporadically throughout the season.
Other drivers Long names as interested in competing for MBM are Max Tullman, Bobby Dale Earnhardt, John Jackson and himself, all of whom ran races for the team in 2019.
Long says that veteran crew chief Doug Richert will return for his second full season to work with the third team when it runs, while Danny Johnson is listed as Finchum’s crew chief and Ryan Bell will lead Hill’s efforts.
Joey Gase will not return to the team in 2020, after finishing 24th in drivers points last year. Tommy Joe Martins also announced he won’t be returning to the team via a Periscope video on Dec. 8.
The team will be running Toyotas for the 2020 season, though it hasn’t committed to particular car numbers. Long says he still has ownership in the Nos. 13, 42, 61 and 66.
See more at Frontstretch.