The 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series season wasn’t too kind to Matt Mills. But he’ll have a chance to rebound, as he will return to BJ McLeod Motorsports for the majority of the 2022 schedule.
With anchor sponsor J.F. Electric, Mills will pilot the No. 5 Chevrolet. Mills will look to improve from his 28.3 average finishing position last year, the worst of his prior three full-time seasons.
Dating back to 2017, Mills, 25, has made at least three starts for BJMM each season. In 2019, he earned his lone top-10 finish, as the No. 5 car rounded out the top 10 in the summer race at Daytona International Speedway.
“I am excited for the 2022 season behind the wheel of the No. 5 Chevrolet,” Mills said in a team statement. “We have shown flashes of speed over the past several seasons and with some of the changes and improvements B.J (McLeod, team owner) has made, there is a renewed sense of optimism and excitement throughout the whole organization.”
J.F. Electric and Utilitra have committed to Mills, agreeing to a multi-year extension with the Ohio native. Thompson Electric, which has sponsored Mills in select races, will return as an associate sponsor.
McLeod knows his team needs to improve on the 2021 season, where it was snake bit by a plethora of unfortunate circumstances.
“Matt has been an important part of the growth of our race team the last several years,” McLeod said in a statement. “He stuck with us through some growing pains and has helped make our organization better. I believe his commitment and hard work, with the addition of some key personnel will lead to success for Matt and the entire team.”
Mills joins Josh Williams and Stefan Parsons as primary drivers at BJMM for the upcoming season. Drive for Diversity driver Nick Sanchez was also announced for a limited schedule with the race team.