It’s been over a decade since Young’s Motorsports ventured into NASCAR in 2012 with a debut in the Truck Series. Since then, the team has birthed a whopping 472 starts and is now climbing the ladder as they look to expand their horizon by officiating an entry into the Xfinity Series.

However, unlike the team’s debut in 2012, which saw team owner Tyler Young take the wheel, this time it’s Young’s Motorsports’ ARCA star, Leland Honeyman Jr., who would pilot the #42 Chevrolet. Pumped up by the dream-come-true moment sitting right infront of him, Honeyman Jr. couldn’t resist the urge to thank the team owner as he penned down a heartfelt note.

Young’s Motorsports new driver gets emotional on his Xfinity Series opportunity

Back in 2022, Honeyman Jr joined Young’s Motorsports as a full-time ARCA Menards Series East driver and clinched three top-5 finishes from seven starts. His impeccable display laid a promising future for the 18-year-old racing prodigy. Apart from that, his eight starts in the 2023 Xfinity Series with Alpha Prime Racing and MBM Motorsports didn’t go unnoticed. The driver’s best finish during his 2023 Xfinity stint was P21, at Charlotte Roval.

It is safe to say that Honeyman Jr’s relationship with Young’s Motorsports is far from over. The team’s latest Xfinity Series announcement proved that just right. Their decision to let Honeyman Jr take the responsibility for the #42 car in the Xfinity Series left him speechless, following which he shared his gratitude on X. 

Honeyman Jr wrote, “Words can’t describe how shocked and blessed I actually feel right now. Four years ago, I didn’t know if I was going to be able to continue racing “$”. Knowing that I am full-time this year is absolutely crazy to me. Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to where I am today. A big thank you to @TylerYoung02 for believing in me by letting me race his ARCA car at just 16 years old. I’m so happy and blessed to be racing for him in @XfinityRacing. If you made it this far don’t ever give up. Please!”

Having a driver with prior Xfinity Series experience makes it more appealing for the team to opt for Honeyman Jr than to scout for a new driver.

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Both Leland Honeyman Jr and Young’s Motorsports will be competing in the Xfinity Series full-time for the first time ever. So not much can be anticipated about their race outcome. But unlike his smooth entry this time, Honeyman Jr’s Xfinity Series dream once received a brutal rejection from NASCAR.

When NASCAR shattered Honeyman Jr’s aspirations

With his eyes locked on the 125-lap Cabo Wabo Tequila 250 race in Michigan, Honeyman Jr was prepared to run on an oval larger than the Phoenix Raceway. But little did he know that he would be replaced by Mason Massey as NASCAR withheld the approval.

Honeyman Jr ran in five Xfinity Series races until the Michigan International Speedway race and was geared up for the Cabo Wabo Tequila 250. Even Eight Order lent their full support to sponsor Honeyman Jr. However, as NASCAR didn’t give a go-ahead to the young driver, the opportunity fell into the lap of Massey, as he was the one to finally get to drive the #42 Chevrolet in Michigan.

Despite the massive setback, Honeyman Jr didn’t let his sportsmanship spirit go down and congratulated Massey for his Michigan stint and wrote, “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.”

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Months after NASCAR’s rejection, Leland Honeyman Jr will finally make his full-time debut in the 2024 Xfinity Series calendar. But the question is; will the ARCA star live up to the expectations?