Update 2: On SiriusXM NASCAR, Patrick Donahue, crew chief of Big Machine Racing, confirmed Jade Buford is not approved to run the season opening Xfinity race at Daytona.
Buford is approved to run in the second race of the season at the Daytona road course, where he finished 16th last season with SS Green Light Racing.
Patrick Donahue, crew chief for the new Big Machine Racing team confirmed on @SiriusXMNASCAR with Moody that driver @buforjm is not approved for @DAYTONA oval and is looking for driver for No. 48 Chevrolet.
Buford approved for Daytona RC and rest of '21 #NASCAR Xfinity season.
— Chris Knight (@Knighter01) January 20, 2021
Update: Scott Borchetta confirms he will start an Xfinity team with Jade Buford as the driver.
The No. 48 Chevrolet will be sponsored by Big Machine Vodka. Patrick Donahue, who departed from SS Green Light Racing prior to the new year, will oversee the team.
I?ve always been involved in racing, it?s a part of my DNA. I am so proud to announce today the formation of the @BigMachine Racing team… which will only broaden the integration opportunities for our recording artists and the sport. ??? pic.twitter.com/5IZZhM3MQH
— Scott Borchetta (@scottborchetta) January 19, 2021
According to Adam Stern from Sports Business Journal, Big Machine Records will start its own Xfinity team during the 2021 season. Jade Buford will pilot the No. 48 car.
In four road course starts last season, Buford earned a best finish of eighth at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL. He was sponsored by Big Machine Records in all four races.
.@ScottBorchetta's Big Machine Records company is starting its own NASCAR Xfinity Series team that will debut this upcoming season.
? The new outfit will be named the Big Machine Racing Team and have driver Jade Buford (@Buforjm) behind the wheel of its No. 48 Chevrolet. pic.twitter.com/0C4tK2EagW
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) January 19, 2021