Perkins ready for American dream

For Jack Perkins, it’s taken a lifetime of hustle, half a dozen sponsors, one long friendship, and a leftover Xfinity seat — but finally, at the age of 38, he’s headed to NASCAR.

And not just anywhere. Perkins is making his American racing debut with none other than Joe Gibbs Racing, one of the most successful teams in NASCAR history.

This weekend he will be racing for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Xfinity Series at Chicago before heading to Portland.

It’s a story laced with tenacity, mateship, and persistence — and perhaps most impressively, it’s a deal that’s been two decades in the making.

“This isn’t something that’s just popped up out of nowhere,” Perkins says from the US. “This has been years in the background, talking to teams, trying to get traction. And now, here we are.”

The livery Jack Perkins will race with this weekend. Image: Jack Perkins

Perkins isn’t blind to the significance of racing with Joe Gibbs Racing — a team that’s fielded the likes of Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, and Denny Hamlin.

“I walked into their workshop and it was jaw-dropping,” he says. “But what surprised me most was how many people already knew who I was. They knew about Supercars. They knew the Bathurst stuff. It was bloody humbling.”

That recognition is partly thanks to the success of Aussie imports like SVG, Marcos Ambrose, and even James Davison — all of whom helped build the “Supercars” name into something that means something in NASCAR circles.

“The road courses have helped,” Perkins admits. “That’s where we’re competitive. They get it now — that Aussies turn up and can handle a car.”

Read full story in Auto Action Premium HERE

Buy the new issue of Auto Action Premium HERE

Read the new issue of Auto Action Digital HERE

Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here or you can purchase a copy of the latest issue from one of our outlets here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine