Big Machine Racing Overview
Big Machine Racing is an American professional stock car racing team that competes full-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Founded in 2021 by music industry executive Scott Borchetta, the team fields the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro SS, with Patrick Staropoli currently behind the wheel. The team operates from a shop on the Richard Childress Racing campus in Welcome, North Carolina, and has built a competitive presence in the national series over a short period of time. Big Machine Racing has earned two race victories, multiple playoff appearances, and a reputation as a destination for talented drivers looking to establish themselves in NASCAR.
Founding and Organizational Origins
Big Machine Racing was created in 2021 by Scott Borchetta, the founder of Big Machine Records, an independent record label established in 2005. Before entering the music industry, Borchetta had experience as a race car driver, and his passion for motorsports eventually led him to bring the Big Machine name into the NASCAR garage. On January 19, 2021, Borchetta announced that he and his company would start a full-time Xfinity Series team, with the No. 48 Chevrolet as the flagship entry.
To launch the program, Big Machine Racing purchased cars and equipment from RSS Racing and Reaume Brothers Racing, inheriting the infrastructure of the former No. 93 team. The crew was built by recruiting experienced personnel from other NASCAR operations, including crew chief Patrick Donahue, who joined from SS-Green Light Racing. Sponsorship was anchored by Big Machine Records and its affiliated artists, which gave the team a distinctive identity tied to the country music world from the very beginning.
Growth Into NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Competition
The team stepped into NASCAR national series competition in 2021 with Jade Buford as the full-time driver of the No. 48, contesting for Rookie of the Year. Because Buford had only competed on road courses in a stock car before the season began, NASCAR did not approve him to race at Daytona, so his first start came at the Daytona Road Course the following weekend. To fill the seat for the Daytona race, the team called on Danny Bohn, who was approved based on prior superspeedway experience.
During its first season, the team expanded its driver lineup by adding several established names for selected starts, including Tyler Reddick, Austin Dillon, Ty Dillon, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ross Chastain, Nick Sanchez, Parker Kligerman, and Marco Andretti. On October 7, 2021, the organization announced a formal technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing beginning in 2022, which led to a relocation from Mooresville, North Carolina, to the RCR campus in Welcome, North Carolina, where the team shares facilities with Kaulig Racing.
Big Machine Racing Competitive Journey
Across its racing history, Big Machine Racing has steadily grown from a single-car startup into a respected multi-car operation. The team has accumulated 183 starts, two victories, and multiple playoff qualifications, evolving from a developmental program into a team capable of winning races and developing emerging talent.
Early Seasons and Development (2021–2022)
In its debut season, Big Machine Racing focused on building consistency while rotating a deep cast of guest drivers through the No. 48. Buford handled the bulk of the schedule, and the program used additional starts to evaluate drivers and attract sponsorship from Big Machine Records’ music partners. The 2021 campaign was a learning year that laid the foundation for future growth.
The 2022 season marked a significant step forward. On May 21, 2022, Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick delivered the team’s first victory at Texas Motor Speedway, validating the new alliance with Richard Childress Racing. Later that year, the team signed Parker Kligerman to drive the No. 48 in 2023, signaling a long-term commitment to a single, experienced lead driver.
Breakthrough in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (2023–2024)
The 2023 season represented the team’s first true competitive breakthrough at the series level. Kligerman qualified for the playoffs and competed deep into the postseason before being eliminated at the Charlotte Roval. He returned to the team for 2024, but the program faced a setback when the No. 48 was hit with an L1 penalty after pre-race inspection at Michigan for illegal rear spoiler modifications, resulting in docked points and a fine for crew chief Patrick Donahue. Kligerman later announced his retirement from full-time racing at the end of the 2024 season.
The 2024 campaign also introduced the team’s second car. On February 2, 2023, Big Machine Racing announced it would field a No. 5 entry at the 2023 Daytona 300 with Jade Buford as driver, expanding operations and giving the team additional data and development capacity. With the No. 48 transitioning to Nick Sanchez for 2025, the organization positioned itself for a new era of competitiveness.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2025–Present)
Entering 2025, Big Machine Racing signed Nick Sanchez, a former Truck Series driver, to pilot the No. 48 and compete for Rookie of the Year honors. Despite a 35th-place DNF at Daytona to open the season, Sanchez quickly found consistency and scored his first career victory at Atlanta, reinforcing the team’s reputation for developing young talent. The alliance with Richard Childress Racing continued to provide engineering support, chassis, and technical resources.
Although Sanchez had originally been announced to return for 2026, he revealed on December 8, 2025, that he would not return to Big Machine Racing. On December 23, 2025, the team announced that Patrick Staropoli would take over the No. 48 full-time for the upcoming season, continuing the team’s tradition of pairing competitive drivers with a Chevrolet-powered program based in Welcome, North Carolina.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
Big Machine Racing focuses on developing drivers, maximizing technical partnerships, and leveraging the resources of its alliance with Richard Childress Racing. The team is strongest on intermediate tracks and superspeedways, where Chevrolet power and RCR-prepared chassis give the No. 48 a consistent baseline. Its flexible approach to driver lineups allows the organization to evaluate talent while maintaining competitive performance each week.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Major milestones include the team’s debut at the 2021 Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner 300 at Daytona, the first victory with Tyler Reddick at Texas in 2022, the playoff qualification with Parker Kligerman in 2023, the L1 penalty controversy at Michigan in 2024, and Nick Sanchez’s first career win at Atlanta in 2025. The addition of the No. 5 car and the signing of Patrick Staropoli also represent pivotal organizational moments in the team’s short history.
Big Machine Racing Achievements and Results
Since its founding, Big Machine Racing has recorded 183 race starts, two victories, and multiple playoff appearances. The team has yet to win a Drivers’ Championship but has consistently punched above its weight as a single-car operation with a strong technical alliance.
O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Achievements
Big Machine Racing has earned two wins in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, beginning with Tyler Reddick’s victory at Texas Motor Speedway in 2022. The second win came in 2025 when Nick Sanchez triumphed at Atlanta, marking his first career series victory. Both wins highlighted the team’s ability to execute on strategy and capitalize on late-race opportunities.
Conference Achievements
Big Machine Racing has primarily competed in the NASCAR O’illy Auto Parts Series, which does not organize competition along traditional conference lines. As a result, the team’s achievements are tracked at the series level rather than through conference titles or standings.
Divisional Achievements
The NASCAR O’illy Auto Parts Series also operates without formal divisional competition. Big Machine Racing’s wins and playoff runs are recognized within the overall series structure rather than through divisional championships.
Series Achievements
In the NASCAR O’illy Auto Parts Series, Big Machine Racing has made 183 starts, earned two victories, and recorded zero pole positions. The team has also fielded multiple drivers who have gone on to compete at the Cup Series level, including Tyler Reddick, Ross Chastain, and Parker Kligerman, underscoring its role as a proving ground for rising talent.
