Jesse Little is our guest on Fan4Racing NASCAR & Race Talk on Monday, November 7, 2016 at 9 pm ET. Call 929-477-1790 or tweet @Fan4RacingSite or @Sal_Sigala with any questions or comments during our LIVE broadcast.
Team Little Racing has been rebranded JJL Motorsports and will make its first appearance under its new name when the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) hits Texas Motor Speedway on Nov. 4.
NASCAR Next alumnus Jesse Little will pilot the No. 97 Toyota Tundra in the Longhorn 350 before ending their season with the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway two weeks later on Nov. 18.
JJL Motorsports is owned by Jason Little, uncle of Jesse Little and brother of former NASCAR driver now executive Chad Little. The family affair has kept the racing niche in their blood with a recent emphasis on building JJL Motorsports into a namesake within the NASCAR industry for years to come.
“The official launch of JJL Motorsports has been time in the making,” said team principal Jason Little. “We are proud of our partnerships that we have built over the years, but now after much thought we’re ready to stand on our own feet and build this team long-term.”
Founded in 2005, Team Little Racing has fielded entries in the NCWTS, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West divisions, NASCAR Late Model Stock, Legends, Bandoleros and quarter midgets.
Through their heavy on-track presence, the organization noted its long history and track record of success in the K&N Pro Series with 48 starts, two wins, three poles, 14 top-five and 24 top-ten finishes. Most recently with JJL Motorsports equipment and crew chief the team is fresh off a second-place finish at Dover in the K&N Pro Series East. That long-term success in one of NASCAR’s touring series elevated their performance further into trucks in 2015 and 2016.
While hoping under their new banner to increase their presence on track in trucks and K&N, JJL Motorsports says its team values holding the highest of professional standards while working to develop upcoming drivers as they prepare to transition to NASCAR’s premier touring series and NASCAR’s national series levels.
“Having a plan is a part of the process, but you need the people help make it successful and I know we have that right person,” added Little. “Industry veteran Matt Noyce joined our program in 2015 and has been essential in our growth. His leadership skills, not to mention his savvy , knowledge for race cars will continue to strengthen our program and we hope everyone sees that at Texas in a few weeks.”
Speaking of Texas, the younger Little, Jesse – who holds seven NCWTS starts to his credit is poised to make his eighth-career start at the 1.5-mile speedway and look to build on his two previous efforts in the Lone Star state – both producing top-20 finishes.
“We know it’s not going to be easy, but we’re fighters and we’ll conquer any challenge,” said Jesse Little. “I know the type of equipment we’re bringing to Texas and it will be good and competitive. While it’s important for me to go out there and give 150 percent, it’s equally important for my uncle to have success right away so we can build this program for 2017.”
Once the checkered flag waves at Homestead, JJL Motorsports vision will saturate on finding the right partner for a full NASCAR K&N Pro Series schedule with a new driver for 2017, while opting to complete in select NCWTS events as well with the Jesse Little.
“The next couple of months are going to be busy, but it’s what we like,” said Jason Little. “We’re excited to go to Texas under our new name and show with our on-track performance that we know what we’re doing and that we have what it takes to be competitive at every level. For us, I think that’s all we can focus on right now. Getting better, helping others and winning races. We are very excited about the future and looking forward to this team running full-time in K&N Pro-Series East and part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2017″
JJL Motorsports