NASCAR driver denied entry in upcoming Michigan race
By Asher Fair
Leland Honeyman Jr. had planned on competing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Michigan International Speedway, but he was not approved to do so.
Leland Honeyman Jr. had been planning on competing in Saturday afternoon’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Michigan International Speedway behind the wheel of the No. 44 Chevrolet for Alpha Prime Racing.
The 18-year-old Phoenix, Arizona native, who made his series debut at his home track back in March, has made a total of five starts this year. While he has made two road course starts, he has not competed on an oval larger than Phoenix Raceway (1.058 miles).
He had planned on competing in Saturday’s 125-lap Cabo Wabo Tequila 250 around the four-turn, 2.0-mile (3.219-kilometer) Brooklyn, Michigan oval with sponsorship from Eighth Order.
But he did not receive approval from NASCAR to do so.
Unfortunately we didn’t receive approval to run Michigan this weekend from Nascar. Thank you to @eighthorder for everything! But I’ll be cheering on @Mason_Massey and the alpha prime drivers. I’ll see you in Kansas. https://t.co/NqmULKNX8d
— Leland Honeyman Jr (@Lelandhoneymnjr) August 2, 2023
Mason Massey, who is instead set to pilot the No. 44 Eighth Order-sponsored entry this weekend, showed his support for Honeyman.
Hate it for you man, go get em at Kansas 👊🏻
— Mason Massey (@Mason_Massey) August 2, 2023
Honeyman, whose top finishes so far this season are a pair of 25th place efforts at Richmond Raceway and Martinsville Speedway, plans to make his next Xfinity Series start behind the wheel of the No. 45 Chevrolet in the Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway on Saturday, September 9.
He also plans to drive the car in the Contender Boats 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Saturday, October 21. Both Kansas Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway are 1.5-mile ovals.
As for Massey, he has competed in select Xfinity Series races since 2020, including three so far this year for SS-Green Light Racing. He has never competed for Alpha Prime Racing.
Massey’s best finish of the season is a 10th place effort at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, one of his three career top 10 finishes. Driving for DGM Racing last year, he finished in sixth at Atlanta Motor Speedway and ninth at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Next. All-time NASCAR Cup Series wins list. dark
Saturday’s Cabo Wabo Tequila 250 is set to be broadcast live on NBC from Michigan International Speedway beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET. If you have not yet started a free trial of FuboTV now, do so today!