Repko, Graf Jr., and H2 Motorsports debut in the Xfinity Series
By Jonathan Fjeld
NEWTON, Iowa — Ryan Repko, Joe Graf Jr., and H2 Motorsports each made their Xfinity Series debut Sunday in the CircuitCity.com 250.
Graf Jr., who sits fifth in ARCA Menards Series points, made his debut in the #21 RCR Chevrolet. Graf finished 19th after starting 21st. Graf finished three laps down but had a right front tire go down during the race. Graf noted the differences he observed between driving an ARCA car and driving an Xfinity car.
“These just have no rear grip. The rear is out of the track, the spoiler is so much smaller so there’s no rear downforce so you really gotta steer it with the throttle. It really reminds me more of dirt racing than ARCA racing.”
Graf’s remaining races with RCR this season will be at Daytona, Bristol, and Richmond.
Repko finished 22nd in his debut driving the #01 JD Motorsports Chevrolet. Repko comes from a late model background and noted what he found different running the race today.
“Most late model races you stay glued to the bottom and you don’t really run the top so that was something I definitely had to learn. I like that top lane, though, it’s fun.”
Repko could not comment on his future plans but noted that they will be out soon.
H2 Motorsports debuted with Shane Lee as the driver of the #28 CircuitCity.com Toyota. Lee finished 18th, 2 laps down, in his first start since last season’s Xfinity Series finale where he raced the #3 RCR Chevrolet. Lee explained what the team went through in its debut weekend.
“Overall it wasn’t that bad of a day for a debut team. It really sort of hurt us that we didn’t get to run 18-20 laps with a new car that’s never seen the racetrack. Coming back here in five, six weeks, we know the direction we need to go in.”
H2 Motorsports and Lee have plans to run the remainder of the season.
