archives
Scroll down
to view past ARCA Racing Series news and rumors.
August 2017
- Austin Wayne
Self on probation after Road America: ARCA Racing Series
driver Austin Wayne Self has been placed on probation as it relates to
violation of 2017 ARCA Rulebook page 5, Section 2, Item A-11, as well
as the Official Event Entry, which collectively reference the ARCA
policy regarding video capture and/or distribution during an ARCA
Racing Series race event. Self drove team owner Kevin
Cywinski’s Win-Tron Racing #33 at Road America August 27,
where the violation occurred. (In part from ARCARacing.com)
(08-31-17)
- P.J. Jones
fined $250 following Road America: ARCA Racing Series
presented by Menards driver P.J. Jones has been fined $250 for
violation of 2017 ARCA Rulebook page 13, Section 4, Item 15, as well as
the Official Event Entry, which collectively reference proper display
of designated sponsor logos on driver uniform. Jones drove team owner
Don Fike’s RFMS #27 at Road America August 27, where the
violation occurred. (In part from ARCARacing.com)
(08-31-17)
- Ty Majeski
& Cunningham secure three race sponsor: Treeo’s,
a one-stop outdoor service provider, has expanded its long-standing
relationship with Cunningham Motorsports driver Ty Majeski to the ARCA
Racing Series. After being involved with Majeski’s late model
racing efforts since 2012, the Wisconsin-based company will serve as
the primary sponsor of his No. 99 Ford for the last three races of the
2017 ARCA season at Chicagoland Speedway, Kentucky Speedway and Kansas
Speedway. "It's definitely going to be special to have Treeo's on board
with us for the last three races of the season,” said
Majeski. "They were really the first sponsor that I had as a late model
driver and they’ve been with us for a long time. They were
one of my first supporters and they’ve stuck with us through
everything. We have a great relationship and we’ve seen a lot
of success with Treeo's so hopefully we can continue this partnership
for a long time." (In part from Cunningham
Motorsports PR) (08-31-17)
- Tanner
Thorson back with Venturini at DuQuoin: Dirt ace Tanner
Thorson is gearing up for his Labor Day return to the ARCA Racing
Series and the 64th running of the General Tire GRABBER-Southern
Illinois 100 at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds 'Magic Mile'. Thorson, a
21-years old native of Minden, Nevada and reigning USAC National
Champion, will make his second ARCA start of the season and third
overall career appearance driving his Venturini Motorsports' prepared
No. 15 Toyota Camry. "I can't wait to get back in the ARCA car with
Venturini (Motorsports) this weekend at DuQuoin," says Thorson. "The
team was really fast at Springfield a few weeks ago - I know I've got a
strong piece waiting for me when we unload. I've had a really solid
career running midget cars on the dirt - it would be a huge
accomplishment for me to switch over and win one in the ARCA Series."
(In part from Venturini
Motorsports PR) (08-31-17)
- Team Stange
Racing delays return; preparing for 2018 season: Team
Stange Racing, owned by John and Ashley Stange, has delayed its ARCA
return and will not compete in either of its originally planned events.
The Stange organization was scheduled to run last weekend's race at
Road America and the upcoming Chicagoland Speedway event in September.
The Illinois based team has instead elected to concentrate on the 2018
season, which will give its new sponsor more exposure. While plans have
not been finalized, Team Stange Racing is working toward a full ARCA
season and a possible Indy 500 program in the IndyCar Series next year.
(08-30-17)
- Thomas
Praytor to honor Earnhardt family at Salem: In 2001 Kerry
Earnhardt drove the Kannapolis Intimidators Chevrolet in the ARCA
Series for three events, winning at Michigan and Charlotte. The special
Intimidators paint scheme was significant to Earnhardt as a salute to
his Dad, Dale, Sr., who passed away in February and the Kannapolis
Intimidators, a minor league baseball team, Dale Sr., had become a part
owner of during the off season. For this year's Eddie Gilstrap Motors
200 Fall Classic at Salem Speedway, Thomas "Moose" Praytor will run the
Earnhardt/Intimidator throwback paint scheme as a salute to both
Earnhardts. "Growing up I was a big Dale, Sr. fan, he was the man. In
the early 2000s my Dad was doing ARCA TV for the Outdoor Channel and
spotting for Dan Pardus. Mr. Kerry would always come and hang out at
Mr. Dan's motorhome. I just thought that was the coolest thing. Mr.
Kerry was always nice to us kids, a lot of the drivers just blew us
off. I think he was more kid than grown up. Throwing back to Mr.
Kerry's winning car and the Intimidators is really cool for me." (In
part from Max
Force Racing PR) (08-30-17)
- Austin
Theriault wins the Road America 100: What looked like a
full course Austin Cindric runaway turned into a last-lap Austin
Theriault takeaway Sunday afternoon at Road America. Theriault, in Ken
Schrader's No. 52 Ford, steered through two last-lap incidents and came
out the winner of the wild ARCA Racing Series Road America 100. "We
were lucky and smart today," said Theriault. "We made the least amount
of mistakes. I knew those guys were fast in front of me and behind me.
It came down to not overdoing it, especially on that last lap.
Everybody was trying to win the race on the last lap. Turn one was a
problem." Full
Results (In part from ARCARacing.com)
(08-28-17)
- Zane Smith
to
drive for MDM Motorsports in three races: Zane Smith will
make his debut with MDM Motorsports at Salem Speedway Sept. 9 as part
of a three-race program. Smith joins the MDM stable of
drivers that have tallied four wins with four different drivers in ARCA
competition this season. Smith, who has competed in 11 events
so far in 2017, will also compete for MDM Motorsports at Kentucky
Speedway (Sept. 22) and Kansas Speedway (Oct. 20). "Adding a driver of
Zane's caliber strengthens our already strong driver lineup," said Mark
McFarland, MDM Motorsports' managing partner. "We're looking forward to
the race at Salem and helping Zane continue his development as a race
car driver and adding his name to our list of drivers that have gone to
Victory Lane. It's a point of pride to have six drivers win across the
three series in which we compete - NASCAR K&N, ARCA and NASCAR
Truck - and it's rewarding to know that each team under our roof has
gone to victory lane illustrating our strength across the entire
organization." (In part from MDM Motorsports PR) (08-25-17)
- Brian Wong
racing for MDM at Road America: MDM Motorsports will
return to ARCA Racing Series competition after a successful run in
NASCAR. The Mooresville, N.C., organization is pleased to welcome Matt
Tifft to the team, as well as, Brian Wong for this weekend’s
event at Road America. Considered a road course specialist, Wong has
experience on many road courses in several different kinds of race
cars. He has experience in the NCWTS, NKNPS, ARS, American Le Mans
Series and others. This weekend, the Newport Beach, Calif., native will
pilot the No. 41 World Stage Racing Toyota. It will make his first ARS
start since 2015. (In part from MDM Motorsports PR) (08-25-17)
- Bo LeMastus
joins Venturini Motorsports for Road America & Salem: Veteran
driver Bo LeMastus will join Venturini Motorsports for two races
starting with Sunday’s ARCA Racing Series event at Road
America and again at Salem Speedway on September 9. LeMastus, a native
of Louisville, Kentucky will pilot the team’s No. 55 Toyota
with familiar Crosley Brands serving as primary sponsor for both
events. “I’m excited for today’s
announcement and the opportunity to run with Venturini Motorsports for
these two (Road America and Salem Speedway) ARCA races,” said
LeMastus. “We’ve always had a great relationship
off the track – this is something we’ve talked
about doing together and now we have our chance.” (In part
from Venturini
Motorsports PR) (08-23-17)
- Noah
Gragson
returns for Road America with Venturini: Noah Gragson
returns to the ARCA Racing Series for his fourth season starts when the
series returns to Road America on Sunday, August 27. Gragson will
rejoin Venturini Motorsports taking over the seat of the team's No. 15
Switch Toyota during Sunday's 100-mile event at Road America's 14-turn
road circuit. “I’m excited for another shot in my
Switch Toyota this weekend at Road America,” said Gragson.
“Changing it up with a road course event is a lot of fun and
really levels the playing field for the most part. I’m
confident and enjoy this style of racing – I’ve had
some decent road course success over the last couple years and feel
like we’ve got as good as a shot as anyone this
weekend.” (In part from Venturini
Motorsports) (08-23-17)
- Alex Clubb
escapes Springfield without major injury: Illinois driver
Alex Clubb escaped major injury on Sunday after he was involved in a
crash during the Herr's Potato Chips 100. Clubb, who was making his
first series start since 2015, was rear-ended by another car when he
slowed to avoid an accident on lap 58. The 25 year-old was transported
to a local hospital for further evaluation and was later released with
sore and severely bruised ribs. Clubb was hoping to run additional
races this season at DuQuoin and Salem, but those plans are in jeopardy
as he works to gather funding to replace his destroyed race car.
(08-21-17)
- Grant
Enfinger wins at Springfield: [Grant] Enfinger, in the
Allgaier Motorsports-prepared 16 car, fought off ARCA championship
leader Austin Theriault to win the Herr's Potato Chips 100 Sunday
afternoon, then toasted his crew chief, Springfield's own Kelly Kovski
in Victory Lane while the locals roared with approval. "Everybody knows
how special this is," said Enfinger. "We've all been rooting for Kelly
(Kovski). Next year I'll be on the box and he'll be out here." Kovski
is still mending after being a struck by a race car that had careened
off the track. Kovski crew-chiefed for Enfinger through much of his
ARCA days in cars fielded out of Allgaier's Springfield race shop. Full
Results (In part from ARCARacing.com)
(08-20-17)
- Matt Tifft
reunites with MDM Motorsports for Road America: Veteran
driver Matt Tifft will reunite with MDM Motorsports and will drive the
team's No. 28 Toyota in the Road America 100. Tifft will receive
valuable seat time in preparation for the NASCAR XFINITY Series event,
which will be held on the same day. The 21 year-old competes full time
in NASCAR XFINITY competition in the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. He
filled in for Riley Herbst at Daytona earlier this year. (08-19-17)
- Austin
Wayne
Self returning at Road America with Win-Tron: Officials
from AM Racing and its development partner Win-Tron Racing jointly
announced today that Austin Wayne Self will return to the ARCA Racing
Series for next Sunday’s Road America 100 at the famed Road
America road course. “I’m excited to return to ARCA
next weekend,” said Self. “I love road course
racing and I’m excited to have the opportunity to drive the
No. 33 Don’t mess with Texas Toyota in my ARCA
return.” AM Racing is utilizing the ARCA road race to prepare
Self for his return to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park where
he’ll compete in the Canada 250 Sept. 3. (In part from AM
Racing PR) (08-18-17)
- ARCA
officials enforcing minimum speed rule to race: The ARCA
Racing Series rulebook states that "[drivers and/or vehicles] must
prove, to ARCA officials' discretion, ability to maintain minimum race
speed" to qualify for ARCA events. However, the series did not adhere
to this rule prior to the July 28th race at Pocono Speedway. This has
recently changed, as ARCA officials have started to enforce a minimum
speed rule that allegedly calls for drivers to be within 20% of the
leader's speed to compete in each event. During the ModSpace 150
weekend, Peterson Motorsports did not turn a lap quick enough with any
of
its cars or drivers. Don Thompson, Con Nicolopoulos, and Dale Matchett
were all sent home. At Winchester Speedway, the No. 06 Peterson
Motorsports car was again too slow. It was sent home along with the No.
3 Hixson Motorsports entry for not meeting the minimum speed. The
driver of the No. 3 Hixson entry, Mike Senica, later took
to Twitter to voice his displeasure. Senica posted "Its hard
to justify marketing dollars from any company when a racing series
changes the rules to suit the needs of others!!" in regards to the rule
change. (08-17-17)
- Tyler
Dippel
returns at Springfield with AMWinTron Racing: AMWinTron
Racing in a collaborative effort with Rette Jones Racing (RJR)
officially announced today that Wallkill, New York native Tyler Dippel
will drive the No. 33 TYCAR Trenchless Technologies / D and A Concrete
Contractor Toyota Camry for Sunday’s Herr’s Potato
Chips 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. “I’m
very excited about being able to return to ARCA and race on the dirt
this weekend,” said Dippel, a former NASCAR Next alumnus.
“Since we have a couple weeks off in the K&N Series,
I think it’s important for me to stay in the seat and this
race on Sunday from Springfield is a good opportunity for me and our
partners TYCAR and D and A Concrete.” (In part from AMWinTron
Racing PR) (08-17-17)
- Zane Smith
& Venturini Motorsports terminate contractual obligations: Venturini
Motorsports and team driver Zane Smith have mutually agreed to
terminate contractual obligations for the remainder of the 2017 ARCA
Racing Series season. The terms of the new agreement are effective
immediately. According to team sources, Frankie Kimmel will step into
the 55 car for this Sunday's Herr's Potato Chips 100 at the Illinois
State Fairgrounds. (In part from ARCARacing.com)
(08-16-17)
- Alex Clubb
forms Clubb Racing; to debut at Springfield: 25 year-old
Alex Clubb has formed his own team and will compete at Springfield in
the No. 97 A. Clubb Lawn Care & Landscaping Ford. Clubb has
purchased an ex-Bowsher Racing car and will have his dad, Brian Clubb,
serving as his crew chief. If the Springfield race is a success, Clubb
Racing may compete at DuQuoin and Salem to close out the year. The
Illinois driver has three career ARCA starts, with two coming at
Springfield and DuQuoin in 2015. (08-16-17)
- Christian
Eckes replaces Christopher Bell at Springfield: Sixteen
year-old Christian Eckes has been tapped to replace Christopher Bell
behind the wheel of Venturini Motorsports’ No. 15 Toyota on
the legendary dirt mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in
Springfield on Sunday, August 20. Bell, proven to be one of the premier
dirt track racers in the country, will be forced to miss out on his
previously scheduled ARCA Racing Series dirt spectacle due to recent
unforeseen changes in his busy racing schedule.
“I’ve got some pretty big shoes to fill come next
week,” says Eckes on replacing Bell. “But
I’m definitely excited for the chance to run my first dirt
race. I'm really looking forward to it, every time I go with Venturini
Motorsports, it's always fun. Trying something new for the first time
makes it even more fun." (In part from Venturini
Motorsports PR) (08-15-17)
- Max Force
Racing teaching UNOH students about racing: Since
entering the ARCA Series five years ago, Mobile, Alabama based Max
Force Racing has utilized University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH)
interns as over the wall crew. The first few years the team was able to
build from UNOH with little attention but with a 5th place finish in
the Championship standings in 2016 NASCAR teams have been taking and
using crew members. “For us, it is the ultimately complement
to our program that NASCAR teams think enough about what we do and how
we do it to take guys of our team and put them to work,” said
driver Thomas “Moose” Praytor. Every returning UNOH
team member from 2016 has worked in the NASCAR Camping World Truck
Series or Xfinity Series Garage in 2017. Along with moonlighting in the
NASCAR garage at companion races some have already moved to full time
over the wall status in NASCAR.
Full Story (In part from Max
Force Racing PR) (08-15-17)
- Grant
Enfinger returns at Springfield with Allgaier & Kovski: Springfield,
Illinois' Kelly Kovski will again return to the ARCA Racing Series,
pairing with an 'ole friend for the Herr's Potato Chips 100 coming to
the Illinois State Fairgrounds mile dirt in Springfield Sunday, August
20. "I'm really excited," said Kovski. "Grant's (Enfinger) is going to
drive it. We're getting the old team back together." Under Kovski's
direction, the Allgaier team, with some good old-fashioned volunteers,
have assembled a new piece for Springfield. "The guys at the shop have
built a new composite car. Mike (Allgaier) is helping us with an Ilmor
motor. My dad and I bought a brand new chassis in the off-season. Mike
knew someone over at Gibbs and we ended up getting a composite body
from them. The guys on this Allgaier team have worked really hard on
this. I'm really excited how the race car is coming out." (In part from
ARCARacing.com)
(08-10-17)
- ARCA
extends
partnership with Ilmor: Automobile Racing Club of America
(ARCA) President Ron Drager and Ilmor Engineering President Paul Ray
confirmed that the ARCA Racing Series will continue to utilize the ARCA
Ilmor 396 engine package through 2023. “We are pleased to
extend our relationship with Ilmor and further structure a long-term
strategy to keep our series healthy, our on-track product strong and
our team owners confident in their investment,” said Drager.
“The ARCA Ilmor 396 engine package has exceeded our
expectations both in terms of competition and cost containment. We have
great confidence in Ilmor Engineering to continue as a key partner in
maintaining a stable platform for the ARCA Racing Series presented by
Menards.” (In part from ARCARacing.com)
(08-10-17)
- Max Force
Racing fined after Winchester: Based on ARCA Racing
Series post-race technical inspection following the August 6 Winchester
ARCA 200 at Winchester Speedway, the Max Force Racing #9 team has been
determined to be in violation of ARCA Rulebook page 86, Item 11 which
references ballast weight being painted white and having proper car
number or team identification on each piece. Due to the infraction,
team driver and car owner Thomas Praytor has been penalized with a fine
in the amount of $500. (In part from ARCARacing.com)
(08-10-17)
- Kyle
Benjamin
wins the Winchester ARCA 200: It would have been
difficult to hold off Kyle Benjamin over the course of 200 laps Sunday
afternoon at Winchester Speedway, and in the end it proved impossible.
But it certainly wasn't out of the question, and it even looked
possible until Zane Smith's car broke coming to the final restart
inside of 20 laps from the finish. With Smith gone from the mix,
Benjamin, in the No. 28 MDM Motorsports Toyota, cruised under the
checkered flag as winner of the 28th running of the Winchester ARCA
Racing Series presented by Menards 200. "This is the coolest track,"
said Benjamin. "It's a track I've always wanted to win at... and I've
been trying for a while. It's nice to finally get it." Full
Results (In part from ARCARacing.com)
(08-07-17)
- Kimmel
Racing
announces upcoming plans: Kimmel Racing has announced
its upcoming ARCA Racing Series plans in a Facebook video. The team's
driver lineup for the next several events will include Bo LeMastus,
Will Kimmel, and Ricky Sanders.
BO
LEMASTUS: Bo LeMastus, the CEO of Crosley
Brands, will drive
the
No. 69 T&T Construction / Crosley Brands Toyota in this
Sunday's race at Winchester Speedway. LeMastus will be in a short track
car owned by Nick Higdon, who has made several starts with the team
this season.
WILL
KIMMEL: Will Kimmel will return to the
driver's seat at
Springfield, DuQuoin, and Salem. The 29 year-old driver has competed in
five starts this year for his family owned team. A special throwback
paint scheme is planned for the Eddie Gilstrap Motors Fall Classic 200.
RICKY
SANDERS: Veteran driver Ricky Sanders is
expected to compete in the Road America 100 on August 27th. Sanders
finished 7th in the season opening race at Daytona. The Georgia native
also raced at Talladega Superspeedway in May. (In part
from Kimmel
Racing Facebook) (08-02-17)
- Travis
Braden
joins RFMS Racing for Winchester: To borrow the term,
"silly season" is bubbling up in ARCA town. According to RFMS Racing
Team Manager and Crew Chief Dan Glauz, the No. 27 Ford will have a
different driver in the saddle for the Winchester ARCA 200 this weekend
at Winchester Speedway. "Travis Braden is driving the RFMS car at
Winchester," said Glauz. "We're just testing the waters for now, but AJ
(Fike) will be back in the car at Springfield." Braden, a two-time ARCA
CRA Super Series champion and 2016 Winchester 400 winner, tested in the
27 car just before the ARCA race at Lucas Oil Raceway. "I tested with
those guys right before Lucas Oil... at Lucas Oil," said Braden. "It
was the first time I had met them. I really liked working with them.
They called yesterday and asked by if I wanted to race." (In part from ARCARacing.com)
(08-02-17)
- AJ Fike to
drive for Fast Track Racing this weekend: Travis Braden
will drive the RFMS Racing 27 Ford at Winchester Speedway this weekend.
While Braden didn't get the call until Wednesday morning, the
conversation actually began weeks ago. "Me and Andy Hillenburg had been
talking for the last few weeks about me getting in the 10 car," said AJ
Fike. "I started my ARCA career with Andy... we ran a full season
together in 2004. He didn't have anyone to drive the car and we wanted
to help him out. Travis had already tested the 27 at Lucas Oil so it
made sense to put him in the 27 at Winchester; at the same time, we had
the opportunity to help Andy. He gave me my start here years ago. "It's
probably a one-off deal... I'm trying to help him out and at the same
time, hopefully Travis can give the 27 a good run at Winchester. It's a
really a situation where everyone's trying to help everyone out, to
keep both programs going... hopefully it works out for all of us." (In
part from ARCARacing.com)
(08-02-17)