archives

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

December 2014

  • Tom Hessert rejoins Cunningham for first five races of 2015:  Tom Hessert will climb into the Cunningham Motorsports No. 77 Dodge this weekend at Daytona, testing the ARCA Racing Series car as a prelude to racing at the 2.5-mile superspeedway in February. According to Cunningham Motorsports officials, Hessert has plans to compete in the first five races of the 2015 season with the team – which would include Daytona, Mobile, Nashville, Salem and Talladega. Cunningham Motorsports is expected to make more announcements about its 2015 season soon, company officials said. (In part from ARCARacing.com) (12-19-14)
  • David Levine to drive full season for Lira Motorsports: Lira Motorsports is excited to welcome David Levine to its driver lineup in 2015. Levine will be the newest member of Lira Motorsports, the local race team based out of Port Orange, Florida. Levine plans to run a full schedule in 2015 in the ARCA Racing Series. Levine has made a career as a road course specialist thus far, focusing on sports cars, stock cars, and open wheel formula cars. In 2013, Levine was the closing driver in the Ford Mustang Boss 302 for Racers Edge and he also drove the No. 43 in three ARCA races for the Richard Petty organization, including a top-10 finish in the Scott 160 at Road America. (In part from Anthem Motorsports PR) (12-19-14)
  • Cody Coughlin returns to Venturini Motorsports for 10 races: Cody Coughlin [will] compete at Daytona Int'l Speedway in what will be his first of ten scheduled ARCA Racing Series events in 2015 with Venturini Motorsports in the number-55 Toyota Camry. "This is something I've always wanted, to be able to do in my chosen profession, so I am excited about it,"said Coughlin, who just turned 19. "Venturini Motorsports has always had fast cars at Daytona, including winning the pole for last year's event." Coughlin will once again have Dave Leiner as his crew chief for the 2015 season. (In part from Venturini Motorsports PR) (12-13-14)
  • ARCA revises bonus point system, qualifying rain-outs, free pass; introduces short track challenge: The ARCA Racing Series announced some changes to its point system and qualifying procedure Friday, changes that will take effect beginning with the 2015 season opener at Daytona International Speedway February 14. “We are looking at our 63rd season of racing,” ARCA President Ron Drager said. “And, one of the things we pride ourselves on is staying on top of what we need to do to be around another 63 year.
    Point System - [Five] bonus points for winning a race, changing the qualifying points to award only a five-point bonus to the pole winner. Previously, the top three qualifiers earned points.
    Qualifying - If qualifying is rained out and a practice session was completed, ARCA will set the 2015 race lineup by the practice speeds, not owner points. Provisional spots will still be awarded when necessary.
    Free Pass - The free pass [will be awarded to drivers all race, instead of just in the last 10 laps].
    Also new in 2015 will be the introduction of a new short track challenge, a championship points standings for drivers and owners at tracks a mile and less, plus road courses. The series has long had the Hoosier Superspeedway Challenge, a similar series within the overall series point system. (In part from ARCARacing.com) (12-12-14)
  • Mason Mitchell Motorsports announces Austin Wayne Self as driver: Austin Wayne Self will drive the No. 98 AM Technical Solutions Ford for Mason Mitchell Motorsports in 2015. The announcement was made Friday at the annual ARCA Racing Series press conference during the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show. “I think the goal, realistically, going into 2015, is to compete for the championship,” Mitchell said. “Austin is a talented race car driver. The combination of our team and Austin will be able to compete for wins and compete for the championship again.” Self said he was looking forward to the 2015 season, starting with the ARCA Racing Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway on February 14. (In part from ARCARacing.com) (12-12-14)
  • Grant Enfinger has no current plans in place for next season: Even though [Grant] Enfinger is now an established driver, he also added that making money in the offseason has to be a priority. "After the ARCA season was over I got a day job at GMS Racing up in North Carolina," he said. "I've been on the road with the trucks teams and stuff like that, but it's tough watching them when you're working and you want to be driving. "As of right now, I don't have anything lined up for 2015. All of it is sponsorship pending. There's just so much that goes into it but, the longer I'm in it, the longer I'm involved, the more I appreciate every opportunity I get. I've definitely been blessed." (Pensacola News Journal) (12-11-14)
  • Bobby Gerhart Racing re-signs Lucas Oil: Bobby Gerhart Racing has announced that it has re-signed Lucas Oil for the 2015 ARCA Racing Series season. "The 2015 season marks our 12th year with Lucas Oil,” Bobby Gerhart said. “We are very proud of our association with Lucas Oil and the success that we have enjoyed together at Daytona. We are looking forward to another strong effort in the 2015 Lucas Oil 200 presented by MAVTV American Real at Daytona." (In part from ARCARacing.com) (12-11-14)
  • John Wes Townley has no ARCA plans for 2015: John Wes Townley has no current plans to compete in the ARCA Racing Series in 2015. Townley competed in 15 events this past season, missing several races due to a hard crash at Pocono Raceway while qualifying. The 24 year-old plans on concentrating on NASCAR XFINITY and NASCAR Camping World events next season. (12-10-14)
  • Garrett Smithley attempting Daytona race with Rick Ware Racing/MacDonald: Garrett Smithley will be back behind the wheel of an ARCA Racing Series stock car at the legendary Daytona International Speedway. The Kannapolis (NC) based driver will pilot the MacDonald Motorsports/Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet Impala stock car in preparation for the 200 mile season opener on 14th February before making his debut in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series a week later. Smithley is eager to get back to the track. "There is nothing like driving at Daytona. The first time I tested there in 2012, I was admittedly nervous, but after making more laps at Daytona with the Richard Petty Driving Experience and racing at Talladega earlier this season, I’m very confident going back.” (In part from Garrett Smithley Racing PR) (12-10-14)
  • Entry list for ARCA Daytona Test: The ARCA Racing Series has published a tentative entry list for the Daytona open test that will be held on December 19th and 20th. Forty-six drivers are entered, including #12 Tyler Audie, #46 Christian Celaya, #55 Cody Coughlin, #75 Benny Chastain, #87 Derrick Lancaster, Mike Affarano, David Levine, and Raul Orlandini. View the complete entry list on ARCA's official website. Full Entry List (12-09-14)
  • Multiple crew chief changes for 2015?: While drivers are currently finalizing their 2015 plans, ARCA crew chiefs are doing the same. It is rumored that Ryan “Pickle” London has left GMS Racing and has joined Mason Mitchell Motorsports to become Austin Wayne Self's new crew chief. Jamie Jones is reported to be no longer with the championship winning team. Matt Weber, who was traded to Venturini Motorsports with six races remaining in the 2014 season by Mason Mitchell Motorsports, will replace Teddy Brown at Team BCR Racing. (12-07-14)
  • Team BCR Racing signs Will Carroll for partial schedule: Beginning in the 2015 season, Will Carroll will make his ARCA Racing Series debut with Team BCR Racing and Development Team. Carroll plans to compete in a limited schedule in 2015, with the goal to run for a Championship and Rookie of the Year honors in 2016.  “Team BCR is excited and proud to welcome Will to the team,” says Team Manager, Howard Bixman. “We’ve been working with Will over the last few years, where he has developed into a NASCAR Champion driving for Anthony Campi Racing (ACR 81). The next step in his career is the ARCA Racing Series, where this developmental driver will be competing at tracks such as Daytona International Speedway to the historic Salem Speedway. We are looking forward to being a part of this two-year development program with Will to further his career into the top ranks of NASCAR.”Marketing partners and complete 2015 debut schedule will be announced at a later date. (In part from Team BCR Racing PR) (12-03-14)
  • Alex Malycke released from detention center: Alex Malycke was released from the Loudoun County Detention Center following a 7-month stay. He was charged with a string of Attempted Grand Larcenies (Copper) and one B&E along with a rash of driving penalties (14 infractions since January) and a Probation Violation - Weapons Offense. We now know the reason for the season long Withdraw's from ARCA #91. (In part from RaceRap.com) (12-03-14)