NASCAR: MBM Motorsports announces early 2018 plans

Carl Long’s MBM Motorsports team has confirmed some of their plans for the 2018 NASCAR season, including cars in both the Cup and Xfinity Series.

MBM Motorsports may be one of NASCAR‘s greatest examples of the little team that could. The team, run by Carl Long, fields two cars in the Xfinity Series and added a Cup Series operation in 2017 after the series lifted Long’s suspension that had been in place since 2009.

The team has now confirmed some of their plans to start the 2018 season in both series.

As reported by Jayski.com, team owner Carl Long posted the following to his Facebook page:

"“As we get to the end of another season, i am proud of what this small group has accomplished. Our little team is growing!!”“Plan on our return to cup with Eureka Vacuums and David Starr. More details later as we sort out details.”“Chad Finchum will become fulltime driver of mbm #40. Rookie of year contender. It could be possible we could run David Starr for rookie in cup as well!!”“Timmy Hill will have a seat in the 13 xfinity car and with on our new marketing partners.. there will be more races for Timmy in cup and xfinity.”Mark Thompson will pilot the phoenix air #66 Ford at daytona in the cup series and we will prepare Marks ARCA entry at Daytona."

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The move by MBM to seemingly confirm two full-time drivers in the Xfinity Series is a change of pace from 2017, where multiple drivers shared the #13 and #40 cars. Perhaps the biggest surprise of those drivers was Alon Day, who performed above his car’s abilities on the road courses this year. Also, no word yet from MBM on the new marketing partners planned for the #13 car.

In the Cup Series, plans for the team appear more fluid outside of Thompson’s drive in the Daytona 500. With additional funding, Starr could move up and race full-time in Cup, which appears possible if some of his partners from his Xfinity Series ride move with him to MBM. However, with claims that Timmy Hill could get more races at the Cup level, there is the possibility that MBM Motorsports could expand to a second car in 2018.

Perhaps also 2018 will be a transitional year for owner Carl Long, who formerly drove often for his own team. Long quietly moved away from driving his cars toward the end of 2017, and it appears that trend could continue next year. With more sponsors coming on board to help the small organization, MBM is likely to prioritize funded drivers over their own owner going forward.

Next: Homestead-Miami TV Ratings End with a Drop

Do you think MBM Motorsports will take a step forward in the coming year? Who do you think will drive for the team in the Cup Series in 2018?

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