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Seaford's CJ Faison returns to NASCAR racing after two-year hiatus

Karl Malgiero/Delaware Public Media

After a two-year break from the NASCAR racing circuit, Seaford’s CJ Faison will be back behind the wheel on the Monster Mile this weekend driving the #26 car for JGL racing in Saturday’s Xfinity Series Buckle Up 200.

The 21 year old has occupied his time off by focusing on his businesses – and was prepared to return to the track this weekend in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series to race in Friday’s Lucas Oil 200 before he got the chance to make his Xfinity Series debut instead.

He says the opportunity to race just a step below the big boys in the Sprint Cup Series is coming sooner than planned.

“I felt like maybe another year in the Truck Series and then move up to Xfinity, but apparently somebody thought I was pretty ready for it and I think we did pretty decent at practice," said Faison. "So I’m excited just to be here. I really am. I can’t say it enough. It’s a dream come true.”

Faison concedes he’ll have to get used to his new team, new car and new crew – and to win, his strategy will be to conserve his tires on the fast, high banking concrete oval that inspires both love and hate from NASCAR drivers.

Although he’s never raced an Xfinity series car, he hopes to make an impression with his newest opportunity - and is counting on his familiarity with the track to help overcome his inexperience.

“In the Xfinity, we’re running radial tires, so it’s a total different ball game on tires, a different car, a different crew I’ve never worked with before, so it’s like going from walking in the daytime to walking at night without a flashlight. You got to find your flashlight.”

Faison will be the only Delawarean racing at Dover this weekend.

The last time he raced in Dover in 2013 Faison led half of a K&N Pro Series East race until a blowout forced him to the pits and a 24th place finish.

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