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

May 2016

  • Austin Cindric to race at Pocono for Cunningham: Cunningham Motorsports announced today that 17-year-old Austin Cindric will make his third start for the team at Pocono Raceway, driving the No. 99 PIRTEK Ford. The start comes as Cindric has continued to try and further his full-bodied stock car experience. “I’m really looking forward to getting back in an ARCA car at Pocono,” said Cindric.  “It’s a very unique track that can test a driver and a team.  With only three turns and all three of them being totally different, you have to be on your game.  There have been some great drivers come through ARCA and get their first wins in the series at Pocono.  I just want to go out there, make laps and be competitive. If we can race for the win at the end, then that’s just an additional plus.” PIRTEK, the industry leader in fluid transfer solution sales, will sponsor Cindric’s No. 99 Ford. (In part from Cunningham Motorsports PR) (05-31-16)
  • Max Force Racing fielding car for Chris Bailey Jr at Pocono; Michigan: Former ARCA Series Truck Champion Chris Bailey Jr. will drive Max Force Racing entries at Pocono and Michigan. “This is going to be a lot of fun for me, our family business has been so good we just really haven’t had time to get back behind the wheel this year,” said Bailey. “We’ve worked around Tommy and Thomas for years and we’ve all gotten to be really good friends. I’m looking forward to racing with them the next couple of weeks.” Bailey has an established ARCA Racing resume that includes 29 starts, beginning in 2013. “We’ve been able to make over 70 starts in the series and it all started with owners in the ARCA garage giving me a chance,” offered Thomas “Moose” Praytor. “Chris has done a really good job in the other cars we’ve seen him race in. He and his Dad are just like me and my Dad doing all they can to get to the track and race. It’s going to be a fun a couple of races.” (In part from Max Force Racing PR) (05-31-16)
  • Parker Kligerman wins Twilight 150, sweeps New Jersey weekend: #22 Parker Kligerman won the Twilight 150 at New Jersey Motorsports Park, sweeping the weekend after being the fastest car in practice and qualifying. Local favorite #25 Tom Hessert finished second. #55 Dalton Sargeant was third, followed by points leader #77 Chase Briscoe and #98 David Levine. Full Results (05-28-16)
  • Hamilton-Hughes leaves Ray Ciccarelli without car at New Jersey: Ray Ciccarelli traveled to New Jersey Motorsports Park this weekend expecting to drive for Hamilton-Hughes Racing. However, the Hamilton-Hughes team never showed. Ciccarelli had previously signed a contract in December 2015 to drive in eight (8) events this season with a 100% competitive car. The Maryland driver began making monthly payments of approximately $3,000 at this time. Ciccarelli was given a car that failed opening inspection at Daytona, while he was given another that had mechanical issues early at Nashville. In what would have been Ciccarelli's third weekend with the team, Bobby Hamilton Jr. has passed off blame for not fielding an entry and has not given Ciccarelli a definitive answer as to how this issue will be corrected. (05-28-16)
  • Athenian Motorsports withdraws from New Jersey: Athenian Motorsports and John Wes Townley have withdrawn their entry from today's race at New Jersey Motorsports Park. The team elected to withdraw its No. 05 car after Townley had an unexpected family related event that he wanted to attend. (05-28-16) 
  • 28 cars entered for New Jersey: Twenty-eight cars are entered for Saturday's Twilight 150 at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Entries include #2 Mike Senica, #5 Benny Chastain, #10 Ed Pompa, #15 Christopher Bell, #22 Parker Kligerman, #24 Steve Minghenelli, #27 Rick Clifton, #34 Willie Mullins, #64 Steve Fox, and #69 Will Kimmel. Full Entry List (05-26-16)
  • Chase Briscoe attends road course driving school: Chase Briscoe, making his first road course start, will be trying to earn the victory for his Chad Bryant-led No. 77 Big Tine team.  Briscoe spent a couple of days in Arizona, prior to the NJMP ARCA 150, at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, in an effort to speed up his road course learning curve. The rookie has proven that he is a quick study. His fourth place finish at Daytona International Speedway in February was just his third race on pavement. (In part from Cunningham Motorsports PR) (05-26-16)
  • Sheldon Creed remains with Lira; more details to be released UPDATE: Lira Motorports has confirmed that Sheldon Creed is still with the organization after a recent announcement involving Ryan Reed. Reed will be behind the wheel of the No. 38 Ford at Pocono; the entry that Creed has been driving since Nashville. It's unknown if the 18 year-old driver will compete in all remaining ARCA events this season as previously announced. Additional details are expected to be released by the team at a later date. (05-24-16)
    UPDATE: Sheldon Creed will miss the June event at Pocono Raceway due to his high school graduation. Ryan Reed will drive the No. 38 Ford instead. (05-25-16)
  • Bob Schacht and Benny Chastain driving at New Jersey: Bob Schacht and Benny Chastain will return to ARCA Racing Series competition this weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Schacht, who has over 100 career ARCA starts, will drive his own No. 75 car with sponsorship from ECC. Chastain also plans to race in the No. 5 entry. (05-24-16)
  • Ryan Reed to drive for Lira Motorsports at Pocono: NASCAR regular Ryan Reed will pilot the No. 38 Lira Motorsports Ford in the upcoming ARCA Racing Series event at Pocono Raceway on June 3rd. Reed, who captured two wins for the team in 2015, has made two previous starts in the series at Pocono Raceway. With the NASCAR XFINITY Series visiting Pocono Raceway for the first time, Reed hopes the extra time on track will translate to success in Saturday’s XFINITY race. “I’m excited to team with Lira Motorsports again this season in the ARCA Racing Series after our success last season,” said Reed. “I think the extra seat time will definitely help me prepare for Saturday’s race, but I’m thrilled for the opportunity to compete for a third win for Carlos Lira and the entire Lira Motorsports organization.” Reed returns to the series with primary sponsorship from Lilly Diabetes. (In part from Lira Motorsports PR) (05-24-16)
  • Athenian Motorsports withdraws from Toledo; back at New Jersey: Athenian Motorsports decided to withdraw its No. 05 entry from the Menards 200 at Toledo Speedway after rain interfered with John Wes Townley's schedule. Townley was expected to compete in the NASCAR Truck Series race last Friday night, but weather forced NASCAR officials to move the event to Saturday. This prevented the Georgia driver from practicing and qualifying his ARCA car. Since it would have been a major disadvantage for Townley to race without practice and because the team is not running for the championship, the entry was withdrawn. Athenian and John Wes Townley are both scheduled to return at New Jersey Motorsports Park this weekend. (05-23-16)
  • Cunningham Motorsports to field three Pocono entries: Cunningham Motorsports will field three entries in the General Tire #AnywhereIsPossible 200 at Pocono Raceway on June 3rd. Myatt Snider (22) and Chase Briscoe (77) will be competing, along with another driver that will be announced at a later date. (05-23-16)
  • Myatt Snider wins at Toledo: #22 Myatt Snider won the Menards 200 at Toledo Speedway in his ARCA Racing Series debut. The driver from North Carolina took the lead after a late restart and held on for his first win. #55 Dalton Sargeant finished second. #58 Kyle Weatherman, #77 Chase Briscoe, and #52 Matt Kurzejewski completed the top five. Briscoe dominated the majority of the race, but fell back after the final round of pit stops. Full Results (05-22-16)
  • Chase Briscoe wins pole for Menards 200 at Toledo: #77 Chase Briscoe won his third pole of the season at Toledo Speedway after turning the quickest time in qualifying. Briscoe is the current points leader and will be vying for his first win on Sunday. #58 Kyle Weatherman will start alongside him in second. #22 Myatt Snider, #5 Brian Keselowski, and #52 Matt Kurzejewski rounded out the top five. #10 Austin Nemire and #61 Jake Francis spun on their qualifying attempts, but both continued on without contact. Qualifying Results (05-21-16)
  • 30 cars entered for Toledo: Thirty cars are currently entered for Sunday's Menards 200 at Toledo Speedway. Entries include #0 Matt Vainner, #2 Frank Jiovani, #5 Brian Keselowski, #10 Austin Nemire, #15 Cole Williams, #22 Myatt Snider, #61 Jake Francis, #69 Brian Finney, and #80 Scott Reeves. MacZink Racing has entered the No. 65, but no driver is listed. Entry List (05-20-16)
  • Lira Motorsports down to three cars; Brandon Lynn now running part-time: Lira Motorsports will only field three (3) cars in the Menards 200 at Toledo Speedway. The team had been fielding at least four leading up to this weekend's race. Kyle Weatherman (58), Sheldon Creed (38), and Michael Lira (36) will make up the team's roster. Michael Lira replaces Brandon Lynn, who will now run part-time due to funding issues. (05-20-16)
  • Cunningham Motorsports drivers fastest in Michigan test: Cunningham Motorsports drivers Chase Briscoe and Myatt Snider were fastest in Thursday's open test session at Michigan International Speedway. Many ARCA teams were testing the composite body at Michigan for the first time. Full Speeds (05-19-16)
  • Frank Jiovani to drive for Hixson Motorsports at Toledo: Hixson Motorsports announced today that ARCA Outlaw Late Model competitor Frank Jiovani will drive the team's No. 2 Chevrolet in the Menards 200 at Toledo Speedway. Jiovani finished fourth in ARCA Gold Cup points last season and has multiple late model wins. Hixson Motorsports has had several drivers this season, including Brad Smith and Steve Fox. (05-19-16)
  • Cunningham and Chase Briscoe secure sponsor for remainder of season: Cunningham Motorsports is pleased to announce a partnership with Big Tine, the only national provider of premium deer food supplement, to work hand in hand with Chase Briscoe and his Chad Bryant-led No. 77 team for the remainder of the 2016 ARCA Racing Series season. Briscoe could hardly contain his excitement as he said, “I am so pumped to have Big Tine on our race car for the rest of the season. It’s really exciting for me, an Indiana native, to team up with an Indiana company. With their headquarters about two hours from my hometown, I plan to tour the facilities very soon. When we launched my website about a month ago, we never expected to see an amazing relationship like this one develop. We were pleasantly surprised when we received a message from the folks at Big Tine and now we are teaming up together." (In part from Cunningham Motorsports PR) (05-18-16)
  • Grant Enfinger returning at Pocono: ARCA Racing Series champion Grant Enfinger will return at Pocono Raceway on June 3rd driving the No. 23 Chevrolet. Enfinger is scheduled to race under the Bret Holmes Racing banner, where he has served as crew chief for rookie Bret Holmes. Homes purchased GMS Racing equipment and acquired the team's points prior to Daytona. (05-17-16)
  • Myatt Snider and Cunningham secure Toledo sponsor: Southeastern Mills’ brand The Original Louisiana Hot Sauce adds a new driver to their hot sauce family with up-and-coming young driver Myatt Snider as he makes his ARCA Racing Series debut in the No. 22 Cunningham Motorsports entry at Toledo Speedway. "We are pleased to grow our racing family with the addition of Myatt Snider as he makes his ARCA Racing Series debut with the No. 22 Cunningham Motorsports entry at Toledo Speedway,” said Brad Olsen, Senior Director of Marketing for Southeastern Mills. “Our multiple racing sponsorships with Louisiana Hot Sauce help create a stronger connection with our consumers and incremental opportunities to drive in-store sales for our retail partners." (In part from Cunningham Motorsports PR) (05-17-16)
  • Lira Motorsports to test at Michigan with Morgen Baird; Lynn: Lira Motorsports announces today that they will be testing at Michigan International Speedway in preparation for the ARCA Racing Series event in two weeks with drivers Morgen Baird and Brandon Lynn. Baird, a Lira Motorsports pro-late model driver out of Grass Lake, Michigan, has tested an ARCA car with the team at Nashville Fairgrounds; however, he doesn’t have experience on a track configured like Michigan. “I want to get as comfortable as possible and learn as much as I possibly can. I want to improve every time I hit the track and give good information back to the team on how the car acts so we can figure out what we need to do to make the car as fast it can be,” said Baird. Brandon Lynn, full-time rookie in the No. 36 Cribs Creek Outfitters Ford, will be joining the Michigan test as well. (In part from Lira Motorsports PR) (05-17-16)
  • Ty Majeski joins Roulo Bros. Racing for select races: Roush Fenway Racing has announced the addition of Ty Majeski to its vaunted developmental program. Widely regarded as one of the top young driving prospects in all of motorsports, the 21-year-old driver from Seymour, Wis., will compete for Roulo Bros. Racing in selected ARCA events during the 2016 season; the same program that developed Roush Fenway’s 2015 XFINITY Champion, Chris Buescher. “We are truly excited about having Ty on board,” said Roush Fenway President Steve Newmark. “He is an exceptional young man that has excelled on and off the track, as evidenced by his considerable racing accomplishments, as well as his career in the class room as an engineering student. We feel that there is a very high ceiling for what Ty can accomplish and we look forward to watching him progress in his career and hopefully playing a major role in that development.” (In part from Roulo Bros. Racing PR) (05-16-16)
  • Herr Foods Inc continues ARCA sponsorship: Officials from the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) and Herr Foods Inc. announced today that the Pennsylvania-based snack food producer will continue its sponsorship and marketing program within the 2016 ARCA Racing Series. Herr’s has agreed to extend its “Official Snack Food of ARCA” sponsorship program, and will once again be the title sponsor of the Herr’s Potato Chips 200 ARCA Racing Series event at Winchester Speedway. “This motorsports sponsorship program is a direct result of the business-to-business relationship between Herr Foods and Menards,” said Mark Gundrum, Vice President of Business Development and Corporate Partnerships for ARCA. “The end result is increased business and product sales for Herr’s.” (In part from ARCARacing.com) (05-14-16)
  • Francis Engineering Racing returning at Toledo; more races?: Francis Engineering Racing will return to ARCA Racing Series competition at Toledo Speedway with Jake Francis behind the wheel of its No. 61 Chevrolet. The family owned team last raced at Toledo in 2013, finishing 21st after having mechanical issues. Casey Smith will serve as crew chief. Additional races later in the year such as Kentucky and Kansas are being considered. Jake Francis has six career starts in the series dating back to 2007. (05-13-16)
  • Venturini Motorsports switches numbers: Venturini Motorsports has renumbered its No. 66 entry to the No. 15. The car currently ranks 11th in owner points after strong finishes with Christopher Bell and William Byron. Additionally, the team has transferred owner points that Brett Hudson accumulated earlier this year in the No. 15 to Tom Berte's No. 20. Berte plans to compete in a partial schedule this season. (05-13-16)
  • Cunningham crew chief Chad Bryant expecting first child UPDATE: Time is ticking away for two-time Cometic Crew Chief of the Year Chad Bryant. Leading the ARCA Racing Series championship standings with rookie driver Chase Briscoe, he’s no doubt got a lot on his mind. But that's only the small stuff compared to what, or who, is coming. "I’m waiting on a call any moment," said Bryant from Friday’s testing at Toledo Speedway. "My wife Yeyliana and I are having a little girl, Madilynn Rose. We were engaged in July and expecting our first child any day. The actual due date is May 19, but Yeyliana’s had some complications. Everything's good, but she’s been under strict surveillance, and if we need to deliver right now, then that’s what we’ll do." Of course, the next race on tour hovers right around a very critical time for the expecting parents. "I’m on the fence with this, could get the call literally anytime at this point. If she hasn’t had the baby by Toledo, then I’ll be here, but it’s all up in the air." (In part from ARCARacing.com) (05-10-16)
    UPDATE: Cunningham Motorsports has tweeted that Madilynn Rose was born at 11:06 A.M. today. Chad Bryant is expected to serve as Briscoe's crew chief at Toledo as scheduled. (05-13-16)
  • Matt Tifft joins Venturini Motorsports for three races: Venturini Motorsports announced today the addition of three ARCA Racing Series events with Matt Tifft to coincide with his already busy NASCAR schedules. Tifft will rejoin VMS and pilot the No. 15 Toyota starting at Michigan Int’l Speedway on June 10. The busy 19-year old will also compete at Winchester Speedway and the ARCA finale at Kansas in October. A native of Hinckley, Ohio, Tifft currently attends UNC-Charlotte as a business major while juggling his busy racing career. "Matt is terrific kid with lots of talent behind the wheel," said Competition Director Billy Venturini. “He’s young and continues to impress with every opportunity given. I’m happy to have him back with the team and expect we’ll have some good success together." (In part from Venturini Motorsports PR) (05-13-16)
  • Parker Kligerman returns to Cunningham for New Jersey: [Parker] Kligerman will be returning to the scene where it all started, entering the upcoming May 28th ARCA 150 at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Kligerman is entered in the No. 22 Cunningham Motorsports Dodge, the same team that introduced him at the same track in 2008. “This is definitely a homecoming for me,” Kligerman said. “Just coming back with Cunningham Motorsports is huge. New Jersey was the first place I ever drove a stock car. It’s been a long path since then, but I’m just grateful for this opportunity with Cunningham again; Kerry Scherer and Briggs Cunningham having the faith in me to bring me back. I can’t wait.” (In part from ARCARacing.com) (05-11-16)
  • Brandon McKenzie charged with speeding, misdemeanor stalking: 34 year-old Brandon McKenzie was recently charged with speeding on April 1st in Randolph, NC. This follows a misdemeanor stalking, communicating threats charge that occurred in March 2015. McKenzie signed to drive for Hamilton-Hughes Racing in select events this season. He drove for Carter 2 Motorsports last year, making starts at Salem and Toledo. An online profile lists McKenzie as a Sales Executive for Branco Enterprises Inc, where his father Larry McKenzie has served as a president. Branco Enterprises was indicted for "conspiring to import merchandise by means of fraudulent invoices and conspiring to commit international money laundering" last year. Emails to Hamilton-Hughes Racing and McKenzie were not immediately returned. (In part from AtlasPublicRecords.com) (05-10-16)
  • William Byron officially re-joins Venturini for Pocono: William Byron announced plans today to re-join Venturini Motorsports at next month’s General Tire #AnyWhereIsPossible 200 at Pocono Raceway on June 3. Driving his familiar Liberty University Toyota, Byron will make his fourth ARCA Racing Series career start with Venturini Motorsports and his first attempt at Pocono’s ‘Tricky Triangle’. “I’m looking forward to getting back on track in the ARCA Series,” said Byron. “Anytime I can get extra seat time to help familiarize myself with a track it’s obviously going to help – especially when I return to Pocono with the truck team. I’ve studied a lot of races and watched a ton of video but nothing will compare to the real deal.” (In part from Venturini Motorsports PR) (05-11-16)
  • Thomas Praytor auctions helmet for charity: Thomas “Moose” Praytor has been fortunate enough to race at Talladega for the last five seasons. Each year, his final stop is the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blinds (AIDB) Race Fever Auction at the Talladega Hall of Fame. "People hear me say all the time we are all very lucky to be doing what we’re doing and we need to give back when we can. As an Alabama driver Talladega is a special place to me and I’ve been able to take part in Race Fever every time we’ve raced here," offered Praytor. As they have done in the past, Praytor and his high school teammate AJ McCarron contributed a McCarron Styled Racing Helmet to the auction. "G-Force Racing Gear gives us the helmet, our buddies at Advanced Collision painted it and Racing Electronics was nice enough to wire it up for us. The helmet we auction has just finished the race and I guess that's the lucky part for me, so far I’ve been able to deliver that helmet to the auction." (In part from Max Force Racing PR) (05-09-16)
  • Invicta Motorsports owner Phil Perricelli passes away: Phillip L. Perricelli of Middletown, New York died on Friday, May 6, 2016 in Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown. He was 51. The son of John and Felicita Paonessa Perricelli, he was born on December 12, 1964 in Bronx, NY. Phil had a joy for racing and partnered in several Dirt Cars and NASCARs. Survivors include his parents, John and Felicita Perricelli of Middletown; his brothers: Anthony Perricelli and his wife, Kristen of Chester, NY; John Perricelli and Luigi Perricelli, both of Middletown and his niece, Andrea and nephew, Eric, both of Chester. He is also survived by his aunts, uncles and cousins. Visitation hours will be held from 2 to 4 & 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, May 11 at the Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc. 72 West Main St. Middletown, NY. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 12 at St. Joseph Church, 149 Cottage St., Middletown. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Middletown. [NOTE: Phil Perricelli owned the No. 43 Chevrolet that John Ferrier raced at Daytona earlier this year.] (In part from RecordOnline.com) (05-08-16)
  • Mat Vainner joins Peterson Motorsports for Toledo UPDATE Lucas Oil & Berlin: 21 year-old Mat Vainner will drive the No. 06 entry for Peterson Motorsports in the Menards 200 at Toledo Speedway. Vainner has one career start at Berlin Raceway last year, where he finished 21st driving for Carter 2 Motorsports. The driver from Lansing, Michigan is seeking sponsorship. Prices start from $500 to $5,000. (05-05-16)
    UPDATE: In addition to Toledo Speedway, Mat Vannier plans to race for Peterson Motorsports at Lucas Oil Raceway on July 22nd and Berlin Raceway on August 6th. Vannier will also be on standby for the team if an additional driver is needed. (05-07-16)
  • Former team owner Steve Turner passes away: Steve Turner, a Texas businessman, died Thursday night with his family at his side, family members confirmed. After serving in the Navy and finding a great deal of success in the oil and gas industry, Turner’s hobby in racing turned into a full-time racing operation in 1999 with the formation of Turner Motorsports, competing on dirt and asphalt tracks throughout Texas. In 2013, Turner joined with Harry Scott Jr. and the team was renamed Turner Scott Motorsports. The owners went their separate ways at the conclusion of the 2014 season. Turner most recently lived in Houston. Funeral arrangements are not available at this time. (In part from Motorsport.com) (05-07-16)
  • Empire Racing; Sean Corr penalized and fined after Talladega: Based on ARCA Racing Series post-race technical inspection following the General Tire 200 at Talladega Superspeedway, the Empire Racing #48 team has been penalized for violating 2016 ARCA Rulebook page 54, Item 4Cii, which references engine lubrication reservoir tanks being properly sealed. Team crew chief Mike Cheek has been fined $1,500 and car owner James Hylton and driver Sean Corr have been penalized with the loss of 25 championship points as a result of the violation. (In part from ARCARacing.com) (05-05-16)
  • Austin Nemire to drive for Fast Track Racing at Toledo: 16 year-old USAC Silver Crown driver Austin Nemire announced on Facebook Tuesday that he will drive the No. 10 for Fast Track Racing at Toledo Speedway. Nemire will be attempting to make his ARCA Racing Series debut. The Sylvania, Ohio driver is expected to provide further updates regarding his opportunity. (05-05-16)
  • Myatt Snider joins Cunningham Motorsports for 9 races: After a successful foray into the Whelen All-American and CARS Late Model Tour circuits the past few years, Myatt Snider will make his ARCA Series debut this month. Snider, 21, will drive the No. 22 Ford for Cunningham Motorsports in the Menards 200 race May 22 at Toledo Speedway. It will be the first of nine ARCA races in 2016 for the Charlotte native, who also will race with Cunningham at Pocono Raceway (twice), Michigan International Speedway, Iowa Speedway, Lucas Oil Raceway Park, Chicagoland Speedway, Kentucky Speedway and Kansas Speedway. “This is the big opportunity that I have been dreaming about for several years,” Snider, the oldest son of NBC Sports broadcaster Marty Snider, said in a release. “I feel so blessed to drive for Paul Andrews and Cunningham Motorsports. I’m confident the move up to ARCA will be a smooth transition, especially since Jeff Caudill will be coming with me and continue being my crew chief.” (In part from NBCSports.com) (05-04-16)
  • Chad Finley returns to ARCA with family owned team: Chad Finley has returned to Michigan where he and his family-owned Chad Finley Racing have set sights on a limited schedule in the ARCA Racing Series. Finley, who last competed in 2010, will return to the series’ for an open-test session at Michigan International Speedway in three weeks, while returning for the Corrigan Oil 200 on Jun. 10 aboard the No. 51 Auto Value Certified Centers / Air Lift Company Toyota. Finley’s father, Jeff, the team manager, recently acquired their equipment from Sandusky, Ohio’s ThorSport Racing. Veteran industry leader Bruce Cook also has joined CFR to serve as crew chief. “I am really pumped to do some ARCA Racing Series racing this year,” said Chad Finley who owns 10 ARCA starts overall. “We have been building some really nice cars and they are just about complete and ready to go. Bruce (Cook) has been great to work with in the shop. Working side-by-side with each other hopefully will help speed up our communication process at the track." Finley will also compete at Lucas Oil Raceway on Jul. 22, Chicagoland Speedway on Sept. 15 and the season-finale at Kansas Speedway on Oct. 14. (In part from Chad Finley Racing PR) (05-04-16)
  • Venturini Motorsports announces Jake Griffin as driver: Venturini Motorsports and Jake Griffin Racing jointly announced today the pairing for two ARCA Racing Series races in the No. 15 Toyota. The Quincy, Illinois native will make his debut on Aug. 21 in the running of the Central Illinois SuperChevyStores.com 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Two weeks later, he’ll return to the seat at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds for the annual Labor Day weekend General Tire Grabber 100 tradition on Sunday, Sept. 4. “I’m excited to take this take leap in my racing career by pairing with Venturini Motorsports for the dirt races later this summer,” said Griffin. “We didn’t give it much thought when we decided that we wanted to take the next step. Venturini Motorsports’ record in the ARCA Racing Series speaks for itself and I hope I’ll able to contribute to it at Springfield and DuQuoin.” (In part from Venturini Motorsports PR) (05-04-16)
  • Gus Dean adds second Pocono race to schedule: Gus Dean confirmed on Rowdy Maglite's radio show on Monday night that he will compete at Pocono Raceway on July 29th. Dean recently won the General Tire 200 at Talladega driving the No. 98 for Mason Mitchell Motorsports. (05-02-16)
  • Josh White needs more funding to race; other motorsports venues?: Josh White recently posted a statement on his team's Facebook page that he was unable to race at Salem Speedway "due to a bad business deal." White had been working with Allen Milton of A2 Motorsports, but that partnership has since dissolved. The 24 year-old driver from West Virginia continued that he would "focus a little less on ARCA racing" and "more on other venues of motorsports." However, White still plans to compete in "some ARCA races this year, but that will require additional funding." (In part from Josh White Racing Facebook) (05-02-16)
  • Jack Hughes separating from Hamilton-Hughes Racing?: Hamilton-Hughes Racing co-owner Jack Hughes is rumored to be separating from Bobby Hamilton Jr. after a turbulent early season. The team has had several driver deals fall through prior to Daytona, along with financial and legal issues. It's unknown if Bobby Hamilton Jr. will continue to field an ARCA Racing Series entry if the rumors of Hughes leaving are true. (05-01-16)
  • ARCA winner Don White passes away at 87: Iowa stock car legend and ARCA winner Don White has [passed away]. White, just shy of his 88th birthday, died at home in Keokuk Friday morning, April 29. White only spent two full seasons on the ARCA tour, in 1959 and 1960, before he sped off for the USAC Stock Car ranks. Despite his brief tenure in ARCA, he won 11 races over two seasons. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be updated when information becomes available. (In part from ARCARacing.com) (05-01-16)