Meet ThorSport Racing’s Latest Recruit & Hailie Deegan’s Replacement Jake Garcia: Stats, Teams, Endorsements & More

Truck Series driver Jake Garcia did what most rookies usually dream to have a sensational year in NASCAR’s third-ranking division and finish the season on a high note. In fact, the 18-year-old did more than what everyone expected of the driver, coming home 2nd in the season-ending race in Phoenix, claiming 9 well-placed top-10 finishes, including 3 top-5 finishes out of 22 races, to end his rookie season with a bang.

This breakout performance eventually earned the phenom a deal with ThorSport Racing, where he will replace Hailie Deegan as she takes the high road to the Xfinity Series as a full-timer with AM Racing. While the youngster is gearing up for his 2024 season with the division’s top team, let us look at some of his achievements, endorsements, and accolades to get a better picture. Sounds interesting? Let’s get right into it.

The Truck Series phenom: Jake Garcia and his rise to the top

Even though he missed the season-opening race in Daytona, which was before his 18th birthday, the rookie ended the season well with a 2nd place finish, just behind race winner Christian Eckes, while Ben Rhodes claimed his 2nd Truck Series title for ThorSport Racing. In a race where the field showed its true color as drivers wrecked each other left and right, the 18-year-old carefully navigated the track to come home with a commendable 2nd spot finish to end his rookie season 13th in the standings.

The Georgia native started off his career at the age of 5, racing quarter midgets before he slowly climbed the ladder, competing in Allison Legacy, USAC Eastern Midget Series, Pro-Late Model, and Super Late Model racing. He is also the youngest driver to win the Southern Super Series Championship, which he did in 2021 after becoming the series’ rookie of the year for the year 2020.

Jake Garcia was also crowned the track champion at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola in 2021, proving his mettle as a driver before the NASCAR Truck Series opportunity knocked on his door.

WATCH THIS STORY: Hailie Deegan’s narrow escape 

Owing to his top performance in NASCAR’s third-ranked series, the youngster was roped in to be Deegan’s replacement for the 2024 season at ThorSport Racing, where he will be retaining his primary sponsor, Quanta Services, for the upcoming season.

Garcia relays his excitement as he gears up for the 2024 season

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It certainly is a massive turnaround for the 18-year-old sensation, who bagged a contract with the series’s top team. While ThorSport Racing is yet to confirm further details, including the badging and whether Jake Garcia will be racing in Hailie Deegan’s #13 Ford, he shared his delight to be a part of the 4-car team.

The 18-year-old racer said, “To have the chance to race for a championship organization like ThorSport Racing is huge for me,” Garcia said in a team release. “I’m extremely excited for this opportunity and cannot wait to get the 2024 season started,” said the driver, who will leave McAnally-Hilgemann Racing but will be retaining his long-time sponsor Quanta Services in 2024.

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While Christian Eckes will once again return to MHR in the #19 truck,  it’s not yet known if the No. 35 at MHR will be filled by a new driver or if the team’s addition of Daniel Dye in the No. 43 constitutes Garcia’s replacement.