Perkins new NASCAR livery revealed

Jack Perkins will represent Australia on the NASCAR Xfinity Series stage at Portland this weekend in a new look.

Perkins will return in the Joe Gibbs Racing #19 Shaw and Partners Financial Services Toyota GR Supra for Saturday’s Pacific Office Automation 147 at Portland where Shane van Gisbergen was victorious last year.

The second-generation racer made his NASCAR debut at Chicago earlier this year.

Not only that, but he will also have his father, six-time Bathurst 1000 winner and ex-Formula 1 driver Larry Perkins, Supercars co-driver James Courtney watching on.

There are also some non motorsports personalities in attendance such as six-time World Ironman Champion Shannon Eckstein, and Australian Olympian Jimmy Walker.

“The #19 Shaw and Partners Financial Services Toyota GR Supra looks ace,” Perkins said.

“Shaw and Partners CEO Earl Evans and I decided that we should give the car a fresh look for our second NASCAR Xfinity Series at Portland, and it looks the part – (Peter) Hughesy has done it yet again.

“It’s going to be special having so many of my sponsors and friends here, I can’t thank them enough for making the long journey for the race.”

Despite this being his second NASCAR Xfinity Series race, Perkins is no stranger to Portland International Raceway, having taken part in a Trans Am race in July, but was hurt by mechanical gremlins.

“Initially, Portland was our only race over here this year, so it’s cool that we now have experience with the Toyota GR Supra, working with my crew chief Seth Chavka and the JGR team, and racing on the Portland circuit, so my hopes are high,” Perkins said.

“Qualifying fifth in Chicago has raised my expectations to be in the front two rows this weekend. 

Stars and stripes are a key part of Jack Perkins’ livery. Image: Supplied

“Without the usual competition pitstops (replaced by 3-minute timed stops at the stage breaks), qualifying is even more critical.

“With less pit strategy to play out, my hope is we are not only competitive, but we have a clean run and try to be up at the pointy end of the field at the finish.”

Practice starts at 5:00 AM, Sunday, 31 August AEST with qualifying following soon after at 6:05 AM AEST.

The Pacific Office Automation 147 race starts at 9:30 AM, Sunday, 31 August, AEST and will be screened live in Australia on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports.

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