archives

Scroll down to view past ARCA Racing Series news and rumors.

july 2011

  • James Buescher returns to ARCA with Turner: James Buescher will make his return to the ARCA Racing Series driving the No. 4 Great Clips Chevrolet for Turner Motorsports. Buescher last competed at Talladega last year driving for Phoenix Racing's No. 51 team. (07-26-11)
  • MTC Motorsports to debut at Pocono: MTC Motorsports will debut at Pocono with 53 year-old Dwight Laird behind the wheel of its No. 67 Ford Fusion. MTC Motorsports was formed this year by Justin, TX native John Gray. The team is currently seeking sponsorship. (07-24-11)
  • CGH Motorsports hoping to add second car: CGH Motorsports announced today that it is building a new foundation that will allow the family-owned team to accelerate to a multi-car operation under the CGH Motorsports Driver Development banner. "We want CGH Motorsports to be a long-time fixture not only in the ARCA Racing Series but the motorsports industry in general," said CGH Motorsports owner Greg Hackenbracht. "We've been talking about expanding our program for a while now and with the people and equipment that we now have in place, it just seems right." In addition to a second car, CGH Motorsports will also offer enhancement support for their driver and crew in the arenas of physical fitness, pit practice, training, and various coaching roles that will support the team's initiative. Interested funded parties for the latter stages of the 2011 ARCA schedule and the full 2012 championship run can contact Jordan Dahl or Kevin Reed for additional details. Only serious inquiries will be accepted. (CGH Motorsports PR) (07-24-11)
  • Ryan Wilson to drive Win-Tron's No. 32 at Lucas Oil:  Ryan Wilson will make his first ARCA Racing Series start of 2011 in next week's Ansell Protective Gloves 200 at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, driving the No. 32 Champion Brands Toyota for Win-Tron Racing. Wilson's entry in the Ansell Protective Gloves 200 will mark his first ARCA race since finishing 14th at Rockingham in his debut last October. Plans for Matt Merrell, who has driven the No. 32 Win-Tron car in all 11 races this season, have not yet been determined according to a spokesperson for the driver. (ARCARacing.com) (07-22-11)
  • Matt Crafton competing at Lucas Oil Raceway:  Matt Crafton will drive the No. 88 Messina Wildlife Management/Menards Ford from Kimmel Racing at Lucas Oil Raceway. "I'm really looking forward to going to Indy, and I'm excited about ARCA coming to Lucas Oil Raceway," said Crafton. "This is one of the best short tracks we race at. We're going to see a lot of side-by-side racing this weekend, a lot of hard racing." (ARCARacing.com) (07-22-11)
  • Ryan Glenski driving Hillenburg's No. 11 at Lucas Oil: Eighteen-year-old Ryan Glenski will make his first ARCA Racing Series start on July 28 at Lucas Oil Raceway. Having recently been named the Fast Track Blue Collar Hero, Glenski will drive a car owned and prepared by Andy Hillenburg. Drivers from several states participated in a quest to show off their talents while attempting to bring home the opportunity to qualify and race in the ARCA Racing Series event at Lucas Oil Raceway. "I feel I'm ready to make the move to ARCA. I'm real excited. Fast Track has great equipment and Andy is a great mentor to have. I can't wait to get to the ARCA race at Lucas Oil Raceway." (Fast Track Racing PR) (07-22-11)
  • Roger Carter Racing partners with Eminem:  Roger Carter Racing has partnered with American rapper Eminem to form Carter/Eminem Motorsports. The team will continue to use Dodge as its manufacturer and will support StopCAIDnow.org (Roger Carter Racing PR) (07-20-11)
  • Tom Berte retiring:  Venturini Motorsports is reporting on its Facebook page that Tom Berte plans on retiring after two more events this season. (Venturini Motorsports Facebook) (07-18-11)
  • Clark-Diederich Racing to make debut at Lucas Oil Raceway: Clark-Diederich Racing will make its debut in the ARCA Racing Series with 21 year-old Las Vegas, NV native Spencer Gallagher behind the wheel at Lucas Oil Raceway. The team was created this year by TJ and Debbie Clark who have reunited their late son’s sponsor (Allegiant Air) and crew chief (Chris Diederich) to continue Spencer Clark’s legacy in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, competing in four races to date. (07-18-11)
  • Brandon Kidd racing at Iowa with Gerhart UPDATE 2 Pocono and Lucas Oil: 19 year-old Brandon Kidd will return to ARCA Racing Series competition at Iowa Speedway on July 16th. The Syracuse, NY  driver will drive the No. 7 Brioschi Chevrolet for Bobby Gerhart Racing. Kidd has one start last year at Berlin Raceway where he finished 12th. (07-10-11)
    UPDATE:  Brandon Kidd is also scheduled to compete at Pocono Raceway on August 6th. (07-11-11)
    UPDATE 2: Brandon Kidd will be competing in the Ansell Protective Gloves 200 at Lucas Oil Raceway for Bobby Gerhart Racing. Brandon Kidd will have the same sponsor for the Ansell Protective Gloves 200 and the Pennsylvania ARCA 125, BRIOSCHI (pronounced Breeoskee). Brandon Kidd finished 17th in this weekends event at Iowa Speedway. (Bobby Gerhart Racing PR) (07-18-11)
  • ARCA extends contract with SPEED Channel: Officials from SPEED and the Automobile Racing Club of America have announced an extension of the current broadcast rights agreement that calls for a minimum of 10 ARCA Racing Series events to be televised on SPEED live and/or same-day delayed in 2012. "ARCA and SPEED have invested a great deal over time in our long term relationship," said Ron Drager. "We're very encouraged that SPEED will continue to be the television home for the ARCA Racing Series, and we are especially pleased to be able to make this 2012 announcement at the midway point of the current season." (ARCARacing.com) (07-16-11)
  • Hoosier Racing Tires to be used through 2013: Ron Drager announced that the ARCA Racing Series and Hoosier Racing Tire Corp. have extended the partnership between the two for two more years, to run through the 2013 season. (ARCARacing.com) (07-16-11)
  • Racing Electronics extends contract for three more years: Racing Electronics, the Official Two-Way Communications Provider of ARCA and the ARCA Racing Series, has exercised an option to extend the company's contract with ARCA for three more years, Drager said. The current five-year agreement lasts through the 2012 season; the extension means that ARCA and R.E. will work together through at least the 2015 season. Racing Electronics has been an official communications provider for ARCA since 1997. (ARCARacing.com) (07-16-11)
  • Sheltra Motorsports and Milka Duno returning at Iowa UPDATE 2:  Sheltra Motorsports and Milka Duno are currently entered for Saturday's race at Iowa Speedway. Citgo Supergard Lubricants is the listed sponsor of the No. 63 Toyota. (07-11-11)
    UPDATE: Milka Duno and her Sheltra Motorsports team are set to spring back into ARCA Racing Series action at Iowa Speedway for the Prairie Meadows 200 on Saturday, July 16. "I'm looking forward to hitting the track at Iowa Speedway in a stock car," said Duno. "I like the track very much and the fans in Iowa have always been good to me - so I look forward to seeing many of them again. I welcome David Leiner Jr. to the effort and I'm anxious to work together with him and the crew for a good result." (Sheltra Motorsports PR) (07-13-11)
    UPDATE 2: Milka Duno and Sheltra Motorsports will be running seven of the final nine races of the ARCA Racing Series season. They plan on skipping the two dirt races at Springfield and DuQuoin. David Leiner Jr. will be Milka's crew chief for the remainder of the season. (07-14-11)
  • Justin Jennings making debut with Hixson Motorsports: After a successful stint in Late Model racing, LaGrange, Missouri native Justin Jennings will take a leap in his racing career by participating in the Prairie Meadows 200 at Iowa Speedway. Jennings has aligned with Hixson Motorsports where Jennings will pilot the No. 28 LG SEEDS Chevrolet. “I still cannot believe this is happening,” said 18-year old Jennings. “We put this partnership together with Hixson Motorsports relatively quickly and late but now I’m off to compete in ARCA." In addition to LG SEEDS, Jennings brings additional sponsorship support from Grants Tire of Taylor, Missouri and Jennings Bros. Trucking. (Justin Jennings Racing PR) (07-13-11)
  • Matt Lofton joins Coulter Motorsports: Coulter Motorsports and Matt Lofton will look to kick off a long-standing relationship during this weekend's trip to Iowa Speedway. Lofton, who is joining the Coulter Motorsports team as part of their Driver Development Program, will drive the No. 16 Strutmasters.com Chevrolet Impala SS. "Matt is a talented young racer who has proven himself on and off the track, encompassing a lot of what we look for in drivers who participate in our (driver development) program," said Joe Coulter, owner of Coulter Motorsports. "We were approached about him running for our team, and it really seemed like a natural fit. We look forward to this weekend's race and watching Matt put the No. 16 up front." Strutmasters.com, a longtime supporter and sponsor for most of Lofton's illustrious racing career, will be joining him for his foray at Coulter Motorsports. (Coulter Motorsports PR) (07-12-11)
  • Randy Hill Racing to make debut at Iowa UPDATE 2 Spraker and Roderick: Randy Hill Racing, owned by Texas entrepreneur Randy Hill, will debut at Iowa Speedway on July 16, 2011 for the Prairie Meadows 200. The team will then compete in two additional ARCA races and then make the leap to the NASCAR Nationwide Series at Watkins Glen. “This is a very exciting time for me,” said Hill. “I’ve been thinking about doing this for a while now. I’ve taken my time and done my homework to make sure this is something I’m prepared to embrace. I’ve set a strategy outline for myself and my team that we plan to stand by and execute 100 percent.”  Randy Hill Racing will make additional announcements including driver, manufacturer and marketing partner(s) in the coming weeks. (Randy Hill Racing PR) (07-03-11)
    UPDATE: Officials from Randy Hill Racing proudly announced today that Spraker Racing Enterprises will lead the team’s inception in the ARCA Racing Series in 2011. Jeff Spraker will guide the rookie team as crew chief beginning next weekend at Iowa Speedway during their ARCA Racing Series debut. Spraker will serve as a mentor for team owner Randy Hill, a Texas entrepreneur with experience in agribusiness and real estate. “I’m pleased to join forces with Spraker Racing Enterprises,” said Hill. “Jeff and his team have been an absolute pleasure to work with and we’re expecting a great relationship with them for many years to come.” While RHR has not chosen a primary manufacturer for its operation yet, the team will utilize Ford Fusions and Chevrolet Impalas. (Randy Hill Racing PR) (07-08-11)
    UPDATE 2: Officials from Randy Hill Racing announced today that Casey Roderick has been tapped to drive the team’s No. 08 entry. Roderick will race this Saturday afternoon at Iowa Speedway. Roderick, who leaps over to RHR from a stint at Phoenix Racing, will look to guide the newly formed program into the spotlight with the aid of Spraker Racing Enterprises. (Randy Hill Racing PR) (07-11-11)
  • Roger Carter, Eminem supporting StopCAIDnow.org at Iowa: Multi-platinum hip-hop artist Eminem has joined together with Roger Carter Racing and the StopCAIDnow Foundation for the upcoming ARCA Racing Series Prairie Meadows Farms 200 at Iowa Speedway. They are using the race in effort to bring awareness and generate funding for both the research and education needed to find a cure for a group of related illnesses termed Childhood Auto Inflammatory Disease (CAID). Children suffering from CAID experience acute pain and intense inflammation throughout the body and can possibly sustain permanent organ and tissue damage. At present, there is no know cure for any disease that falls under the CAID classification. “Roger and I are fellow Michigan guys,” stated Eminem “I know his commitment to sick kids. I believe very much in the cause. That is why I endorse StopCAIDnow.org.” (StopCAIDnow.org) (07-10-11)
  • Jeb Burton driving for Eddie Sharp Racing at Berlin: Jeb Burton, a late model standout at South Boston Speedway in Virginia and Ace Speedway in North Carolina, will drive Eddie Sharp Racing's No. 6 Toyota in the Hantz Group 200, the first start of his ARCA career. He is the son of Ward Burton, winner of the 44th Daytona 500 in 2002 and a five-time race winner in 375 NASCAR Cup Series starts. (ARCARacing.com) (07-09-11)
  • Changes at Empire Racing UPDATE New crew chiefs:  We have learned that Howard Bixman is no longer affiliated with Empire Racing and that Knight Motorsports Management is no longer handling the team's public relations. (07-06-11)
    UPDATE:  Empire Racing has regrouped after Winchester, and will be led by the duo of John Bellesfield and Andy Shaver during this weekend's Hantz Group 200. Bellesfield and Shaver, both veterans of the NASCAR ranks, will share crew chief duties on race day, while Bellesfield will continue his role as team manager. "I look forward to this weekend's ARCA race at Berlin with Sean," said Bellesfield. "I took a step back a while ago to take on a new role with Empire, but John (Corr) and Sean have graciously asked me to take over again with Andy and I am honored and ready for some great racing action this weekend." (Empire Racing PR) (07-08-11)
  • PGM Racing to return at Iowa: PGM Racing, owned by Texas buisnessman Donny Kelley, will return to the ARCA Racing Series at Iowa Speedway on July 16th with development driver Michael Leavine. PGM Racing last competed in the series in 2009 with Stephan McCurley, making nine starts with a best finish of sixth at Salem. (07-08-11)
  • BCR Racing returns at Berlin with Charlie Evans Jr: Charles Evans Jr. of Pasadena, Texas will make his ARCA Racing Series debut on July 9th at Berlin Raceway. Sponsorship will come from ETS - Elevator Transportation Services, Inc. (TeamBCR.com) (07-06-11)
    UPDATE:  Team BCR Racing led by Howard Bixman will make its 2011 debut at Berlin Raceway with Late Model sensation Charles Evans Jr. behind the wheel of the No. 99 Elevator Transportation Services Ford Fusion. “I’m looking forward to this weekend,” said Evans Jr., a former INEX Legend Car Series pilot. “It’s with the support of Elevator Transportation Services and Team BCR Racing that I have an opportunity of a lifetime placed in front of me. I definitely want to make the best of it. ETS has been with me for 11 years now and this is a big jump for them and I’m extremely appreciative of their confidence in me as a role model for their company.” (Team BCR PR) (07-08-11)
  • Maryeve Dufault out at Tony Marks Racing, Patrick Sheltra in FOR BERLIN: Maryeve Dufault is no longer listed as the driver of the No. 12 Tony Marks Racing Dodge for Saturday night's event at Berlin Raceway.  2010 ARCA champion Patrick Sheltra is now the current driver for the entry. Dufault has had a trying rookie season, crashing out of five of the nine events that she has competed in. Sheltra has endured his own difficulties this year in finding sponsorship to further his racing career. We are unsure if this change is permanent or not. (07-06-11)
    Substituting for Dufault: Patrick Sheltra will return to competition Saturday night at Berlin Raceway behind the wheel of the No. 12 Mad Croc Dodge Charger for Tony Marks Racing . Sheltra will substitute for Maryeve Dufault who is recovering from a minor shoulder injury sustained at Winchester Speedway two weeks ago. The 2010 ARCA champ will also evaluate the team’s ARCA program while also acting as a mentor and driver mentor for Tony Marks Racing’s primary driver Dufault and newcomer Jared Marks. “In the best interest of Maryeve, we made a joint decision for her to skip Berlin, so she can fully recover and ready for our next race at Iowa Speedway,” said car owner Tony Marks. “I’ve talked to Patrick on multiple occasions throughout the year about possibly racing with us for a race or two and with the circumstances we’re faced with, we’re happy to have Patrick on-board this weekend. We also know that someone of Patrick’s caliber cannot only make this team stronger but also give Maryeve and Jared an enormous amount of input and guidance.” Darren Wolfe and Ryan Chism will continue to lead the TMR organization with Sheltra at the helm. (Tony Marks Racing PR) (07-06-11)
  • Kevin Belmont back at home after heavy equipment injury: Kevin Belmont, former driver and brother of car owner Andy Belmont, is resting back at home after suffering crushed vertebrae in a heavy equipment accident that occurred on June 23rd in Pennsylvania. Belmont returned home on June 27th and is on the road to recovery. (07-03-11)
  • D&B Motorsports returning at Berlin with two cars: D&B Motorsports, owned by Don and Brian DeWitt, will return at Berlin Raceway on July 9th with two cars. Brian Campbell will drive the team's No. 24 Hantz Group Chevrolet while Michael Simko will be behind the wheel of the No. 27 Brann's Steakhouse Chevrolet. The Michigan based team is looking for its first win after winning the pole for the event last year with Campbell. (07-02-11)
  • Dahlke Motorsports making ARCA debut: Dahlke Motorsports and driver Jordan Dahlke are schedule to make their ARCA debut at Berlin Raceway on July 9th. The team has been competing in the Boyne Premier Series at Berlin Raceway and local CRA races this year. (07-02-11)