After turning the 40th quickest lap in NASCAR Xfinity Series practice at Circuit of the Americas on Friday (May 21), Joe Graf Jr. will miss Saturday’s race. Two-time Xfinity winner Ross Chastain will fill in.
Chastain hasn’t competed in an Xfinity race since last November at Phoenix Raceway, finishing seventh for Kaulig Racing.
By slotting Chastain into the No. 07 Chevrolet, it allows him to get additional laps at COTA, becoming the ninth driver to pull double duty this weekend.
Joe Graf Jr. told me he has had a strained left knee and thought he would be ok but it impacted him during practice. Would be ok for oval but too much with the braking here. Chastain to replace him today in No. 07 Xfinity car. They retrofitted Graf seat for Chastain.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 22, 2021