Miguel Paludo Returns to NASCAR Xfinity Series with JRM
Porsche Carrera Cup Brasil Champion to Pilot No. 8 BRANDT Entry in Three Road Races
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 13, 2021) – JR Motorsports and long-time partner BRANDT Professional Agriculture jointly announced today that Miguel Paludo, a Brazilian native and six-time Porsche Carrera Cup Champion, will drive the No. 8 BRANDT Chevrolet in three NASCAR Xfinity Series road course events in 2021. Paludo’s schedule begins with the second race of the season at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course (Feb. 20) and continues at Circuit of the Americas (May 22) and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (June 5).
Paludo and BRANDT have been a winning combination since 2013, when Paludo first drove a BRANDT-branded vehicle in a NASCAR Camping World Truck series event at Chicagoland Speedway. From there, the pair has gone on to earn four championships, 16 wins and 53 podiums in Porsche Carrera Cup Brasil competition. Today’s announcement also expands BRANDT’s presence in the NXS as Paludo will race alongside teammate and full-time NXS driver Justin Allgaier, who will drive the No. 7 BRANDT Chevrolet.
“This is an amazing opportunity and it’s hard to put in words how grateful I am,” said Paludo. “Returning to compete in NASCAR has always been one of my top career goals. It has been remarkable to represent BRANDT Professional Agriculture in Brazil since 2015 competing and racing for championships in the Porsche Carrera Cup. And to now get the opportunity to race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series along with my teammate Justin Allgaier for BRANDT at JR Motorsports for three races is a dream that is coming true.
“We are thrilled to bring Miguel back to NASCAR racing as he has been instrumental in helping us grow our business in Brazil,” said Rick Brandt, president and CEO of BRANDT. “Overall, this initiative will enable us to entertain select Brazilian customers at some of NASCAR’s most iconic tracks where they’ll see one of their own take on the best in the world. This is going to be exciting.”
One of the main objectives for Paludo and the No. 8 BRANDT Chevrolet is to support the company’s burgeoning business in Brazil. In its sixth year of operation, BRANDT do Brasil has seen tremendous growth, serving retailers and growers across Brazil. With its headquarters in Londrina and manufacturing in Olimpia, BRANDT do Brasil offers a wide range of BRANDT’s proprietary technologies for crops as diverse as coffee, citrus, vegetables, sugar cane, soy and corn.
Paludo competed fulltime in the in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series from 2011-2013.
Paludo will make his JRM debut in the No. 8 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 5 p.m. ET on FS1.
ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:
JR Motorsports is the management company and racing operation for Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR’s 15-time Most Popular Driver and winner of 50 NASCAR-sanctioned races. Now in its 20th year of overall competition, JR Motorsports races in multiple divisions, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series where it won championships in 2014, 2017 and 2018. The company also competes in Late Model competition and owns five championships in regional late model divisions. To learn more about the organization, its drivers and its sponsorship opportunities, visit www.jrmracing.com.
MEDIA INFORMATION:
Mike Campbell
JRM Public Relations
704-799-4828
mcampbell@dalejr.com
About BRANDT
A leading agricultural company, BRANDT serves growers around the globe. Founded in 1953 by Glen Brandt and his sister Evelyn Brandt Thomas to help Illinois farmers adopt new and profitable technologies, the company has experienced aggressive growth under the leadership of President and CEO Rick Brandt. BRANDT’s focus is providing the products and services that give growers the best opportunity for return while building a stronger, healthier and more abundant food supply.
