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

March 2015

  • Bubba Pollard to race at Nashville with Goodson Racing; part time schedule?: It’s been over three years since Bubba Pollard has competed in an ARCA Racing Series event. That streak will come to an end on Saturday, April 11 when he will compete in the Troop Aid 200. “We have teamed up with Tracy Goodson and Mike Garvey to run the ARCA race at Nashville,” Pollard announced. “I am excited to make a start in the ARCA Racing Series again. I have raced in four ARCA races in the past and can’t wait to get back to race with them.” Tracy Goodson is more than happy to team up with Pollard for their first ARCA event. “Mike and I are really excited to have Bubba Pollard in our new ARCA car,” Goodson said. “Mike and everyone at the shop are busting their butts to get the car ready for Nashville. This is the first time we have built a car for the ARCA Racing Series and we can’t wait to get going with this program.” Goodson said that they have one car in their shop that they hope to compete with at the remaining ARCA Racing Series short track events in 2015, but hope to build a second car for the intermediate tracks. Goodson also said that he is hoping to get his recognizable No. 1 on his ARCA car but may be going with No. 01. (In part from Speed51.com) (03-30-15)
  • Peterson Motorsports and James Swanson secure hood sponsorship: Peterson Motorsports announced that My KD Company, LLC, will sponsor the hood on Swanson’s Peterson Motorsports-prepared No. 06 Dodge Charger for the entire 2015 ARCA season. Joanne Zacharias, owner of My KD Company, LLC., will highlight her “Kan Do, Don’t Tell Me I Kan’t” logo on the hood of Swanson’s ARCA car. Zacharias first met the Peterson race team in Elko, Minnesota in June of 2014 when the track hosted the ARCA Racing Series Akona 250 race event. Zacharias had already sponsored a local team in the Big 8 series at her hometown Elko Speedway. Zacharias took note of the underfunded Peterson Motorsports team and wanted to help. “We’ve been better all the way around as a team since Joanne began helping us,” Swanson said. “We’re able to run better, we’re faster, and the cars look better. It’s been a great mix across the board. We appreciate her “Kan Do” spirit and it definitely carries over to the team. We can’t thank her enough for her support and confidence in our small little team. We’re very excited for 2015.” (In part from ARCARacing.com) (03-30-15)
  • Contribute funds to Kimmel Racing: Kimmel Racing and driver Will Kimmel has lost a complete racecar after a hard crash at Mobile on March 14th. This accident has significantly impacted the team financially, as Will Kimmel often races without full sponsorship. Kristina Stubblefield, Kimmel's sister, has created a GoFundMe page for fans that would like to contribute to the team to get Will back on track. Contribute by clicking on the following link: Get Will Kimmel Back on Track (03-27-15)
  • Dale Shearer to run a partial schedule: Dale Shearer will attempt six (6) more ARCA Racing Series events in 2015 driving his own No. 73 Ford. Shearer's schedule includes Winchester, Lucas Oil, Springfield, DuQuoin, Salem, and Kansas. The 55 year-old driver from Alhambra, IL had attempted Daytona in February, but was not fast enough to qualify. (03-27-15)
  • Peterson Motorsports to have two full time drivers?: Peterson Motorsports may have two full time drivers for the remainder of the season. Veteran James Swanson and rookie Cory Howard are both hoping to run in all remaining events. Swanson may miss Talladega if another team completes an owner point deal, while Howard is still attempting to secure full season sponsorship. (03-20-15)
  • Darrell Basham planning a partial schedule?: Darrell Basham is hoping to return to ARCA competition at Nashville and Salem in April. New Jersey Motorsports Park is also a possibility for his team in May. Basham has been a longtime competitor with over 250 career starts. He has scaled his schedule back in recent years due to escalating costs. (03-20-15)
  • Lira Motorsports moves into new shop in North Carolina: Lira Motorsports is excited to officially announce their acquisition of 18,000 square feet of race shop and office space in Mooresville, NC. The new facility will be the home of the teams current ARCA Racing Series operations, consisting of the Michael Lira and David Levine racing teams. The North Carolina space will supplement the organizations current race shop in Port Orange, FL. "Our new race shop gives us the capability to field additional cars in the ARCA Series, as well as expand into additional series,” commented team owner Carlos Lira. “Having a location in Mooresville, home to so many of NASCAR’s most prominent teams, will be a key factor moving forward in our commitment to present a professional and competitive race team at every event we compete in, in every series we compete in.” The team will keep their Florida location, which will be utilized as the base of operations for their NASCAR Late Model team and their growing Late Model Driver Development program. (In part from Lira Motorsports PR) (03-19-15)
  • Three team members penalized after Mobile fight: As a result of an incident on pit road after the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race at Mobile Int’l Speedway March 14, three individuals have been penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. Venturini Motorsports’ Billy Venturini has been suspended for two races, fined $2,500 and placed on disciplinary probation for an indefinite period of time due to repeated violations. Josh Williams Motorsports’ Kevin Williams has been suspended for one race, fined $1,000 and placed on disciplinary probation for the remainder of the 2015 season. Mason Mitchell Motorsports’ Russ Mitchell has been fined $500 and placed on disciplinary probation through July 1. The penalties were a result of violation of 2015 ARCA Rulebook Section 3, Page 6, #9, which references conduct or actions detrimental to the sport and/or ARCA, fighting, or taking part in any demonstration which impedes the orderly process of an event. (ARCARacing.com) (03-17-15)
  • Crew chief changes at Venturini and Mason Mitchell Motorsports: Two crew chief changes occurred before Mobile this past weekend involving Matt Weber and Ryan "Pickle" London. Weber was announced as the crew chief for Brennan Poole and Team BCR Racing prior to Daytona, but went on to work with Frank Kimmel and Venturini Motorsports on the No. 25 Toyota during the season opening race. Ryan "Pickle" London, who was employed with GMS Racing in 2014, was announced as Austin Wayne Self's crew chief during the offseason. London held that position with Mason Mitchell Motorsports prior to Mobile. Both teams swapped crew chiefs starting at Mobile, meaning that Weber has joined Mason Mitchell Motorsports and London has joined Venturini Motorsports. The two teams made a similar crew chief swap in August 2014 where Mason Mitchell Motorsports traded Weber to Venturini Motorsports for Venturini's Jamie Jones. (03-16-15)
  • James Swanson hoping to run full season with Peterson Motorsports: Veteran driver James Swanson hopes to run the full 2015 ARCA Racing schedule with Peterson Motorsports. Talladega Superspeedway may be the only event that Swanson misses, as another team may arrange a deal to use Peterson's owner points. The 34 year-old driver from Clarksboro, New Jersey has recently competed in two near full seasons for the team. Swanson finished a career high 9th place in driver points last season. (03-16-15)
  • Grant Enfinger wins the ARCA Mobile 200: #23 Grant Enfinger won the ARCA Mobile 200 for the third straight year after holding off #25 Brandon Jones and #6 Josh Williams on a late race restart. This is Enfigner's 10th overall win and the second of the year. #98 Austin Wayne Self and #22 Kyle Weatherman finished behind Enfinger, Jones, and Williams to complete the top five. The race was slowed 11 times due to cautions, including one for a wreck involving #69 Will Kimmel. The No. 69 Ford went airborne off the track, flipping multiple times and landing in a track parking lot. Kimmel escaped the crash unhurt. Full Results (03-15-15)
  • CBS Sports Network to televise live ARCA races: ARCA officials announced that CBS Sports Network will televise at least three live events from the ARCA Racing Series this summer. CBS Sports Network’s coverage, part of its CBS Sports Spectacular programming, begins with the traditional spring ARCA event from Toledo Speedway on Sunday, May 17. In addition, CBS Sports Network will televise races from Winchester Speedway on Sunday, June 28 and the Mile Dirt at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield on Sunday, August 23. “We are pleased to once again make available live ARCA coverage on CBS Sports Network,” said Mark Gundrum, ARCA Vice President for Business Development and Corporate Partnerships. “This package is great for the teams, sponsors and fans of the series.” (In part from ARCARacing.com) (03-15-15)
  • Ken Schrader Racing announces driver lineup; Ross Kenseth included: Federated Auto Parts and Ken Schrader Racing have teamed up for 2015. This season marks the 16th year that Federated Auto Parts has served as the primary sponsor for Schrader’s dirt and ARCA cars.  Schrader will continue to compete in both his dirt modified and in select ARCA races throughout the season. Schrader will handle driving duties for his team in seven ARCA races, including two races at Salem. He will also drive at Toledo, Winchester, Lucas Oil Raceway, Illinois State Fairgrounds and DuQuoin State Fairgrounds. In addition, the team’s drivers will include Matt Tifft, Clay Campbell, and Ross Kenseth. Tifft will be making his return to KSR at Mobile. Tifft will also drive at Nashville, New Jersey, Pocono, Iowa, Berlin, Kentucky, and Kansas. Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell is scheduled to race at Talladega. Ross Kenseth will drive at Michigan and Chicagoland. (In part from Ken Schrader Racing PR) (03-15-15)
  • 26 on Mobile entry list: Twenty-six cars are currently entered for Saturday's ARCA Mobile 200. Entries include #0 Corey Howard, #6 Josh Williams, #10 Richard Doheny, #25 Brandon Jones, #52 Matt Tifft, #55 Dominic Ursetta, #58 Michael Lira, #68 Brian Finney, and #80 Brad Stiffler. Frank Kimmel is not currently entered and may miss his first ARCA event since 1996. Entry List (03-11-15)
  • Sarah Cornett-Ching to race full season for RACE 101: RACE 101 announced that Sarah Cornett-Ching will contest the full ARCA Racing Series [season] this year. The news came just two weeks after Cornett-Ching made her ARCA racing debut at Daytona. "We are excited to move full speed ahead with Sarah," said RACE 101 owner Tony Blanchard. "When we announced in Daytona that we would run multiple races with her we didn't believe the full season was an option due to funding. The right opportunity developed, and we are ready to tackle the full schedule. We know Sarah is poised to progress in professional motorsports. She did a great job at Daytona, and she has only improved since then, spending many hours learning about and working on the cars. She is the complete package." (In part from RACE 101 PR) (03-11-15)
  • ThorSport Racing selling ARCA equipment: ThorSport Racing has placed an advertisement on ARCARacing.com's classified section that states that the team is selling six (6) cars, spare parts, and pit equipment. The team won the 2013 championship with Frank Kimmel before closing its ARCA program in 2014. (03-11-15)
  • Karl Weber running part time; may race NASCAR: Karl Weber will reportedly race in a partial ARCA schedule this season and may run NASCAR XFINITY and Truck series races later in the year. The 18 year-old drove for RACE 101 in 15 events last season and finished 10th in driver points. (03-11-15)
  • Dominic Ursetta to drive for Venturini Motorsports at Mobile, Salem: Dominic Ursetta is set to make his ARCA Racing Series debut with Venturini Motorsports in next week’s Mobile 200 at Mobile International Speedway. Recently signed to a two race contract, Ursetta will drive the No.55 Mosquito Patch - Arvada Excavating & Productive Data Solutions Toyota with veteran crew chief Jeff McClure leading the charge. Ursetta will also compete at Salem Speedway on April 26th. “The ARCA Series is rich in history and has developed some great racers over the years. Should be a lot of fun. It’s a great opportunity to start off here. No doubt this is the biggest race of my career so far,” said Ursetta. At 26-years old the Arvada, Colorado native is coming off a successful season in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series where he captured the 2014 Super Late Model Colorado State Championship. (In part from Venturini Motorsports PR) (03-05-15)