Ryan Sieg to make Monster Energy Cup debut at Dover

Ryan Sieg will drive the No. 83 Toyota for BK Racing this weekend at Dover International Speedway, the team announced Wednesday.

He replaces Corey LaJoie, who will be back in the car next weekend at Pocono Raceway, according to team owner Ron Devine.

This will mark the Cup debut for the 29-year-0ld Sieg, who currently ranks 14th in the XFINITY points standings after a 27th-place finish last Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Im so happy to be making my Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series debut for BK Racing this weekend in Dover, Sieg said in a statement released by the team. Ron Devine has given so many drivers an opportunity in the past, and Im thankful to have that same chance as so many others. I have never driven a Cup car in my life, so I just want to run as many laps as possible and learn as much as I can.

Devine said he has been keeping an eye on Sieg for a long time, but was quick to add that he is not giving up on LaJoie, either. LaJoie has struggled this season and currently is 34th in the Cup points standings. His best finish is 24th, which he achieved in both the season-opening Daytona 500 and at Bristol.

I have been watching Ryan race for a number of years and have been really impressed by his driving skills," Devine said. "I believe that this is the right time to put Ryan in one of our cars to see what he can do," Devine said. "Corey will be back in the car beginning next week at Pocono, and he is a very important part of BK Racings bright future."

Devine added that if Sieg shows the type of Cup potential that he believes he will, there is a chance BK Racing could add another car to its stable. It ran three cars at times last season, but this year has scaled back to the two cars -- the No. 83 driven thus far by LaJoie, and the No. 23 currently driven by Gray Gaulding that also was piloted by Joey Gase for one race.

"If things work out with Ryan for the long run, we may see the No. 93 car return," Devine said. "A big part of BK Racing has always been seeking out young talent and giving them a chance in the premier racing series, so Im proud to be able to give Ryan that chance as I did for Corey, Joey Gase, and Gray Gaulding already this season.

Sieg has six top-10 finishes in 113 career XFINITY starts. He finished ninth in the XFINITY points standings last year.