archives

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

January 1 - January 14, 2016

  • Shane Lee joins Win-Tron Racing for 8 ARCA races: Shane Lee [has partnered] with Win-Tron Racing for [a] partial ARCA series schedule in 2016. Lee has competed in the NASCAR Whelen All-American series for the past four seasons at tracks across the Southeast, picking up 18 wins. Veteran crew chief Jamie Jones will oversee the Win-Tron Racing entries for Shane Lee. Jones, Lee, and the Win-Tron Racing team will kick off the 2016 racing season with the ARCA series test at Daytona International Speedway on January 15-16 in preparation for the season opening Lucas Oil 200 on February 13, 2016. [Other scheduled ARCA races include Nashville, Talladega, Pocono, Michigan, Lucas Oil, Chicagoland, and Kentucky]. (In part from White Gaulding Partners PR) (01-14-16)
  • Kevin Hinckle to drive part time for Hamilton-Hughes Racing: 53 year-old Kevin Hinckle will compete part time this season for Hamilton-Hughes Racing. The Shawnee, Kansas driver will test this week at Daytona and will attempt the race in February. Additional races include Iowa and Berlin, with an opportunity for other starts at Michigan, Chicagoland, and Kansas. Hinckle has joined Hamilton-Hughes after two races last season for Carter 2 Motorsports. (01-14-16)
  • AJ Fike; RFMS Racing expand schedule to 15 races UPDATE: AJ Fike, who won the Springfield race last season, will expand his schedule to 15 races in 2016 with his family owned RFMS Racing team. Fike has over 50 starts in ARCA Racing Series competition through 12 years. (01-12-16)
    UPDATE: RFMS Racing and AJ Fike will not attempt five races this season. Those races are Daytona, Talladega, New Jersey Motorsports Park, and both Pocono events. (01-14-16)
  • Carter 2 Motorsports preparing for Daytona; may not be allowed to run UPDATE Justin Lloyd; NOT Testing?: Carter 2 Motorsports owner Roger Carter has posted on the team's Facebook account that he plans on fielding three entries for the Daytona race in February. However, sources have reported that ARCA may not allow Carter to enter the event if warrants are out for his arrest. The Michigan native has faced charges such as identity theft, forgery, and writing bad checks. Carter has been arrested in Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Carolina this year. (12-23-15)
    UPDATE: Roger Carter and Carter 2 Motorsports recently announced that Justin Lloyd will return to the team driving the No. 40 Dodge at Daytona. Although ARCA officials have cleared Carter 2 to compete, there are rumors that the team will not be at the Daytona test for financial reasons. Lloyd was Carter 2's only scheduled driver, meaning it may not have been worth the money to make the trip. (01-14-16)
  • Matt Kurzejewski has sponsorship; moving to new team OFFICIAL Ken Schrader Racing and Menards: ARCA crew chief and driver Brian Keselowski tweeted yesterday that Matt Kurzejewski has secured sponsorship and is moving to a new team in 2016. Keselowski was answering a fan's question about his upcoming racing plans during a question and answer session. No team or sponsor was mentioned, but an announcement is expected soon. (01-03-16)
    UPDATE:     24 year-old Matt Kurzejewski will drive for Ken Schrader Racing this season. Kurzejewski has been listed as the driver of the No. 52 Chevrolet at Daytona on ARCA's official entry list, alongside teammate Cole Custer. The Mansfield, Pennsylvania driver tweeted that "it's an honor to drive the 52 car for Kenny Schrader and KSR" and that he is "very excited for the '16 season." He also stated that "more announcements [are] to come in the near future." (01-11-16)
    UPDATE 2:     Ken Schrader Racing and Matt Kurzejewski are expected to have sponsorship from Menards this season. Chris Knight announced this development Monday night on Fan4Racing radio. (01-12-16)
    OFFICIAL: Officials from Ansell Protective Products and Menards have jointly announced that they will become co-primary sponsors for the No. 52 Ken Schrader Racing entries in the ARCA Racing Series in 2016. The announcement coincides with Ansell’s continued sponsorship as an ARCA Official Sponsor. Matt Kurzejewski will drive the Ansell-Menards car out of the Schrader Racing stable. “Ansell is proud to continue its co-sponsorship with Menards for the eighth year,” said Kevin Brennan, Ansell’s Marketing Manager, Retail & Automotive Aftermarket – North America. “And we’re excited to begin the new season with an experienced racing team like Ken Schrader Racing and an “up and comer” like Kurzejewski. Ansell is confident that this is a recipe for success and we’re looking forwarded to kicking off the season strong, this February in Daytona.” Ken Schrader Racing has been a mainstay in the ARCA Racing Series for years, with team namesake Ken Schrader amassing 80 career ARCA starts since 1981. “I couldn’t be more honored, and thrilled for the opportunity to represent Ansell and Menards,” Schrader said. “Both have been great supporters of the ARCA (Racing) Series, and the chance to run a full schedule with their support is wonderful. We’re looking forward to racing for the championship with Matt Kurzejewski, Ansell and Menards.”(In part from MattKurzejewski.com) (01-13-16)
  • Dale Shearer tentatively planning on eight (8) race schedule: Veteran driver Dale Shearer is tentatively planning on competing in eight ARCA Racing Series events this season. The Alhambra, Illinois driver will attempt Daytona, Springfield, DuQuoin, Salem (Fall), Chicagoland, Kentucky, and Kansas. One additional race is scheduled, which will be finalized after Daytona. Shearer will either compete in Talladega or the Spring Salem race, depending on the shape of his superspeedway car after the season opening race. (01-13-16)
  • Mullins Racing secures owner points from Darrell Basham Racing for Daytona: Mullins Racing has secured owner points from Darrell Basham Racing for the Daytona event. The team will carry the No. 34 number, which allows the team an opportunity to use a provisional if the entry does not make the race on speed. Darrell Basham's No. 34 finished in 28th in 2015 owner points. (01-13-16)
  • Dominic Ursetta working on returning; with Venturini Motorsports? UPDATE NOT Venturini: 27 year-old Dominic Ursetta is in the process of working on an agreement to possibly return to Venturini Motorsports. While nothing has been confirmed, sources say the Arvada, Colorado driver will compete in an expanded schedule this season. Ursetta raced in two events in 2015, finishing 9th at Mobile and 3rd at Salem. (01-10-16)
    UPDATE: Sources from Dominic Ursetta Racing indicate that Ursetta will not join Venturini Motorsports this season. The needed sponsorship could not be acquired. (01-13-16)
  • Gus Dean to drive for Mason Mitchell Motorsports at Daytona OFFICIAL: Chris Knight announced on Fan4Racing radio Monday night that late model standout Gus Dean is expected to drive the No. 98 Chevrolet for Mason Mitchell Motorsports at the Daytona race and test session. Dean, who has considerable experience in X-1R Pro Cup and CARS Super Late Model competition, hails from Bluffton, South Carolina. (01-12-16)
    OFFICIAL: Mason Mitchell Motorsports announced the signing of Late Model standout Gus Dean to pilot the team’s flagship No. 98 Chevrolet entry for next month’s season-opener at Daytona. Additionally, Dean, a native of Bluffton, South Carolina will also participate in the ARCA Racing Series open-test at the 2.5-mile superspeedway this weekend. Dean will join teammates Spencer Boyd, Noah Gragson and Zane Smith who also have committed to the test in other MMM entries. “I can’t begin to explain how excited I am for this opportunity with Mason Mitchell Motorsports,” said Dean. “We put this partnership together very quickly, but I’ve seen firsthand how committed Mason and the team are. I’m honored to be associated with a championship team for my ARCA debut.” Dean, 21, leaps into ARCA competition after a healthy stint in Late Model racing, including a regular competitor in the CARS Tour. Additionally, Dean is a former winner in the X-1R Pro Cup Series and made his NASCAR K&N Pro Series East debut at Richmond last fall. Sponsorship for Dean’s ARCA debut has been secured and will be announced at a later date. (In part from Mason Mitchell Motorsports PR) (01-13-16)
  • Tom Hessert to drive for Venturini Motorsports OFFICIAL: Billy Venturini announced on Race Time Radio last night that veteran driver Tom Hessert will drive for Venturini Motorsports in 2016. Hessert will drive the No. 25 Toyota, possibly for the full season. The Cherry Hill, New Jersey driver will enter his tenth year in the series after finishing 4th in driver points last season. (01-11-16)
    OFFICIAL: Venturini Motorsports has announced the addition of Tom Hessert for a full season effort in the ARCA Racing Series. Hessert, a nine-year veteran of the ARCA Series, will pilot VMS’s flagship No. 25 Toyota starting next month with the season opener at Daytona. “This is obviously a big step in my career and I’m excited about the new partnership with Venturini. Change is constant, this presents a great opportunity for me and the team to take it to the next level and compete for an ARCA championship,” said Hessert. Ryan ‘Pickle’ London, in his second season with VMS, will resume crew chief duties for the No. 25. London worked with Frank Kimmel and Brandon Jones in 2015. (In part from Venturini Motorsports PR) (01-13-16)
  • Mason Mitchell names three Daytona test drivers: Mason Mitchell Motorsports has four drivers lined up to test at [Daytona,] Zane Smith, Noah Gragson, Spencer Boyd and one more driver which will be announced at a later date.“This is a great opportunity for all of these drivers to gain on-track experience” Mason Mitchell stated. [The team] has opportunities available for the upcoming [race] on February 13th, as well as seats available throughout the 2016 season. MMM has the ability to field up to three cars for the 200 mile event. (01-11-16)
  • William Byron back with Venturini for Daytona start: 18 year-old William Byron will return to Venturini Motorsports for Daytona, in preparation for the NASCAR Camping World Truck race that he will run on February 19th. Billy Venturini announced this development on Race Time Radio while discussing the upcoming ARCA Racing Series season. Byron will have Tom Hessert and Mark Thompson as teammates. (01-11-16)
  • Steve Fox to attempt Daytona with Norm Hutton Racing: 58 year-old Steve Fox will attempt the Daytona race in February driving the No. 3 Ford for Norm Hutton Racing. The team has been preparing an old Barry Fitzgerald car in the offseason, with an engine from Roush-Yates and assistance from Brian and Bob Keselowski. Fox has been a regular in the ARCA for years, competing at Pocono races since 2008. (01-11-16)
  • Empire Racing Group to announce Bret Holmes as driver?: Empire Racing Group is expected to announce that 18 year-old Bret Holmes will drive one of its entries at Daytona. Holmes has considerable experience in late models and is currently a student at Auburn University. (01-11-16)
  • Kimmel Racing; Will Kimmel add sponsorship for 2016 season: E3 Spark Plugs is proud to announce their sponsorship of third generation ARCA racer Will Kimmel. The familiar E3 logo will adorn the quarter panels of Kimmel’s Ford throughout the 2016 ARCA Racing Series season. “I am extremely excited to represent E3 Spark Plugs in 2016,” said Kimmel. “We’ve used their plugs in our four-wheeler and our lawn equipment for years. So, we knew they made a great product but when we tested their new race plugs on the dyno we saw first-hand how DiamondFIRE technology excels well beyond other plugs even in the harshest racing environments. We saw an instant improvement not just in cold start but in power as well. They really are a quality piece.” (In part from Kimmel Racing PR) (01-10-16)
  • Group qualifying to set Daytona lineup: The 2016 official race week schedule for the Lucas Oil 200 at Daytona has been released. Group qualifying takes place at 3:30 p.m. Friday afternoon, after Friday’s final practice. Cars will be placed into groups during Menards Pole Qualifying based on official speeds from practice. The fastest laps during group qualifying, which showcases drafting, will determine starting positions in the race. (In part from ARCARacing.com) (01-10-16)
  • John Wes Townley; Athenian Motorsports to run partial schedule UPDATE Owner Points from Wayne Peterson: Athenian Motorsports with driver John Wes Townley has filed the first entry for the 53rd running of the Lucas Oil 200 at Daytona Int’l Speedway coming Saturday, February 13. Townley is slated to run a combination of NASCAR Camping World Truck, Xfinity Series and ARCA Racing Series events in 2016. “I’m really excited,” Townley said. “We’re going to have great equipment and Kevin Reed will be crew-chiefing me. He does a great job; we’ve had a lot of success together and hopefully we can continue that this year.” Reed crew-chiefed Townley to victory lane in the Lucas Oil 200 at Daytona in 2013 under the Venturini Motorsports banner. Townley will be in Chevrolets powered by the ARCA Ilmor 396 engine. (In part from ARCARacing.com) (01-06-16)
    UPDATE: Athenian Motorsports and John Wes Townley have acquired owner points from Peterson Motorsports for the 2016 ARCA season. If the team's No. 05 Chevrolet does not qualify on speed, it will have owner points from Peterson's No. 00 entry to fall back on. The Peterson car finished 23rd in 2015 owner points. (01-10-16)
  • Mullins Racing announces Daytona effort UPDATE Test Drivers Named: Mullins Racing has announced on social media that the team will attempt the Daytona International Speedway race in February. Team owner Willie Mullins will drive, using a recently purchased ARCA Ilmor 396 engine. Mullins fielded a car for JJ Pack last year and has four previous starts at New Jersey Motorsports Park. (12-30-15)
    UPDATE: Mullins Racing has named three drivers to test next week at Daytona International Speedway. The team will have JJ Pack, Ray Ciccarelli, and owner Willie Mullins behind the wheel of its No. 1 Ford during the two day test. (01-10-16)
  • Team Stange Racing enters Daytona; will run full-time: Team Stange Racing announced today that the Chicago, Illinois based operation has entered the No. 46 Ford with an Ilmor engine for the upcoming Lucas Oil 200 at Daytona. The team will be making a major announcement in the next couple of weeks announcing the driver and sponsor for Daytona, and for the remainder of the 2016 ARCA season. “We look forward to getting back to full time ARCA competition and bringing the No. 46 back on track” said Ashley Stange, co-owner of Team Stange Racing. (In part from Team Stange Racing PR) (01-09-16)
  • Joey Gattina joins Jent Motorsports; plans full schedule: Jent Motorsports announced today of the formation of an ARCA Racing Series team that will compete in all ARCA races in 2016. Team owner Darrell Jent and driver Joey Gattina are looking forward to a very successful season. The team will be racing Chevrolets with Ilmor engines. The team will not be in Daytona next weekend for the two day test, but will [make its debut] in February. The team will also have a second car available for a driver who is funded. (In part from The NASCAR News Source) (01-09-16)
  • Bobby Gerhart re-signs Lucas Oil; will return part time: Bobby Gerhart's No. 5 Chevrolet will again carry the colors of Lucas Oil as the team’s title sponsor in 2016, beginning with the 53rd running of the Lucas Oil 200 at Daytona Int’l Speedway. "The 2016 season marks our 13th year with Lucas Oil,” Gerhart said. “I don’t have the words to express our gratitude for our association with Lucas Oil. It’s nearly unheard of in this business anymore, to have a marketing partner that long. It’s been a great relationship that’s worked well for both.” In addition to a partial ARCA schedule, Gerhart, as he did in 2015, plans to mix in NASCAR Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series events in 2016. “We have a very open relationship with Lucas Oil, which allows us to plan our season in segments. We know we’re going to run the ARCA races at Daytona and Talladega, and both Pocono events are a lock, but we’ll be analyzing our season as we go to determine the best course of action for Bobby Gerhart Racing" [said Gerhart]. (In part from ARCARacing.com) (01-08-16)
  • New Pit Crew Safety Requirements for 2016: Every pit crew member that will perform live pit stops – “go over the wall” – in 2016 will have to adhere to new safety requirements, according to the rules released by ARCA Racing Series officials. The biggest change for over-the-wall crew members is the requirement of a “head sock” with a minimum SFI specification of 3.3. Prior to 2016, only the crew members handling Sunoco Racing Fuel were required to wear the sock. Also regarding racing fuel, ARCA officials will now require any crew member involved with fueling a car to wear an apron with a minimum SFI specification of 52.1. Over-the-wall crew members will also be required to use gloves which meet a minimum SFI specification of 3.3/1. “We at ARCA are deeply committed to the safety of everyone involved in our series, from the drivers to the pit crews to race fans,” said Joe Wells, ARCA’s Director of Race Operations & Administration. “These changes are a direct reflection of that. We are making things safer for everyone involved.” (01-08-16)
  • ARCA announces point system change: The ARCA Racing Series has adjusted its championship points system heading into the 2016 season. The first change eliminates the 25 point bonus for pre-entering and competing. Those 25 points become part of the total race points a driver and owner now earn.  Teams who enter a race event but fail to qualify will still earn 25 owner and driver points. The maximum amount of points a single driver and car owner can earn during an event will be 250 points. The second adjustment regarding 2016 championship points adds an additional five points to the race winner’s total for both owner and driver. The race winner will receive 235 points, which is an increase of five points from last year. Second place will receive 220 points (including the additional 25 which were previously “enter and compete bonus points), third place 215 points, fourth place 210 points, and so on, in increments of five, from second place back. Bonus points for qualifying and leading laps remain the same as 2015, with five bonus points awarded for winning the pole; five bonus points for leading a lap and another five bonus points for leading the most laps.That means a driver who wins the pole, leads the most laps and wins the race will earn the maximum 250 total points. Under that same scenario, the second-place driver who led at least one lap would be awarded 225 points, 220 points if he or she did not lead a lap. The 250 bonus points will continue to be awarded to each driver and/or car owner per established eligibility requirements who compete in a 5-race segment (#1-5 as run; Event #6-10 as run, etc.). (In part from ARCARacing.com) (01-07-16)
  • Logan Jones signs development contract with Mitchell: Mason Mitchell Motorsports has signed 15-year-old Logan Jones as a development driver beginning with the 2016 season. Jones will compete in two short track tests early in the 2016 season with MMM. After the tests the team will evaluate his progress. If Jones and the team feel the tests went well, Jones could run all of the Calypso Lemonade Short Track races with the ARCA Racing Series for 2016. Jones has earned nine sprint car wins over the last two seasons [and has also] competed in USAC Quarter Midgets from 2008-2013. (In part from Mason Mitchell Motorsports.com) (01-06-16)
  • Mason Mitchell Motorsports searching for drivers: Mason Mitchell Motorsports has placed a classified on the official ARCA Racing Series website in hopes of securing funded drivers for the 2016 season. The ad states that the team has opportunities available in the No. 78 and No. 88 cars, and that anyone interested should contact Mason Mitchell directly. (01-05-16)
  • Max Force Racing to have Ilmor 396 at Daytona: With testing at Daytona International Speedway less than two weeks away Team DK-LOK fired up its first ARCA Ilmor 396. "We are really excited about our first Ilmor. We got behind on the superspeedways last year and with a lot of help from Carlos and Amanda Lira and all the guys at Lira Motorsports we won't be lacking horsepower at Daytona and Talladega," said Thomas "Moose" Praytor. Coming off an 8th place finish in the 2015 ARCA Series Championship the off season has been a busy one for Team DK-LOK. "I think we took about 3 days off after Kansas and we've been hard at it," said Praytor. "We've been going through last year's cars, building motors, adding new cars while building up inventory for the 2016 campaign." ARCA testing at Daytona is slated for Friday January 15th and Saturday January 16th. (In part from Max Force Racing PR) (01-04-16)
  • Kentuckiana Ford Dealers to sponsor Salem again: A familiar name returns to Salem Speedway in 2016, as the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers will serve as the title sponsor of the spring ARCA Racing Series event. The Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200 is set for Sunday afternoon, April 24th. “We are extremely pleased to have the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers once again involved with two of our biggest events of the season at Salem,” said track general manager Richard Deaton. “The marketing partnership between Salem Speedway and the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers has spanned more than two decades.” (In part from ARCARacing.com) (01-04-16)
  • Austin Cindric expected back for a partial schedule: 17 year-old Austin Cindric is expected to return to ARCA Racing Series competition for a partial schedule. Cindric, the son of Penske Racing president Tim Cindric, made two starts in 2015 for Cunningham Motorsports with AutoZone sponsorship. The Columbus, Ohio driver had a best finish of 4th at Iowa Speedway. (01-03-16)
  • James Swanson working at Hylton; seeking sponsorship: Longtime ARCA driver James Swanson is seeking sponsorship to compete in the 2016 ARCA Racing Series season. Swanson has been working at the Hylton Motorsports shop for the past two weeks, and plans to race at Salem Speedway in the fall. More funding is needed for additional starts. (01-02-16)