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

January 2018

  • ARCA announces 12 race broadcast schedule with MAVTV: Officials from the Automobile Racing Club of America and MAVTV Motorsports Network announced today that MAVTV will televise 12 ARCA Racing Series events in 2018. Eleven of the 12 races will be live on MAVTV in 2018, the second year of a three-year broadcast agreement with ARCA. The 2018 broadcast package includes the first ever superspeedway event scheduled for live coverage on the MAVTV Motorsports Network from Michigan International Speedway, Friday afternoon, June 8. "ARCA is a well-respected and highly professional stock car racing series," said MAVTV President, Bob Patison. "It is definitely a good fit for MAVTV. Adding more live coverage of the series in 2018 builds on the momentum started last year by ARCA and MAVTV." Coverage begins Saturday night, April 7, with the first live broadcast from Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, Tenn. Live coverage is also scheduled for April 22 and September 15 from Salem (IN) Speedway; May 20 from Toledo (OH) Speedway; June 15 from Madison (WI) Int’l Speedway; July 14 from Elko (MN) Speedway; July 21 from Berlin (MI) Raceway; Aug. 19 from the Illinois State Fairgrounds; Sept. 3 from the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds and Sept. 7 from Lucas Oil Raceway in Brownsburg, Ind. The only event not scheduled for live broadcast will be the July 7 event from Iowa Speedway, which will air on a delayed basis. The 12-race MAVTV broadcast schedule rounds out ARCA’s 2018 telecast package, with the remaining 8 races scheduled for live coverage on Fox Sports. Nineteen of the 20 ARCA Racing Series events in 2018 will be live. (In part from ARCARacing.com) (01-26-18)
  • Fast Track Racing back with multiple drivers: [Andy] Hillenburg suffered a burst fracture of his L1 vertebrae last spring during a film shoot. Hillenburg, when he's not running his Fast Track High Performance Driving School or preparing cars for the ARCA Racing Series, often finds himself behind the wheel of a variety of cars working as a stunt man. From commercials to feature films, Hillenburg has done them all. "It was March 23, 2017... got injured on a film shoot. By the way, I did get it on the first take." He also got one heck of a back ache that kept him from the track for months. Here's the good news... Hillenburg is feeling better than he's felt in years, and, the Fast Track phone is ringing away. "We're up to five composite cars and building three more in our fleet. I really like the new chassis and the new body configurations. It streamlines everything for us." Hillenburg, the 1995 ARCA Racing Series national champion driver and two-time Daytona ARCA 200 winner, also likes the fact that he's got a few good repeat customers. "We've been really fortunate…we've had a lot of longtime drivers. That's what I'm most proud of. Ed (Pompa) and Rick (Clifton) have been with us for a long time. Once they come into the sport with us, they tend to stay. Chuck Hiers is coming back this year. He raced with us in 2003. Ed goes back eight or nine years... Rick for about the same. A lot of our drivers keep coming back. Tommy Bear (crew chief) will be working with us again. And David Ifft is going to be helping us at Daytona; I'm really excited about that." Hillenburg isn't partial to any particular manufacturer. He's got Chevrolets, Toyotas and Fords in his fleet. "Having a variety of cars really helps us with sponsor commitments. I'm also getting more heavily involved in the film industry." (In part from ARCARacing.com) (01-25-18)
  • David Gilliland Racing & Crosley Sports Group merge; to race ARCA: David Gilliland Racing  and CROSLEY Sports Group have announced that they have formed a new race team, effective immediately. DGR-CROSLEY has purchased Red Horse Racing assets, a longtime NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race winning team. "There is so much value in joining forces with CROSLEY Sports Group," said DGR-CROSLEY President David Gilliland. "Bo LeMastus and I have been working on this for several months, and we're both very excited about this new company. Bringing together CROSLEY and Red Horse Racing assets are exactly what DGR needed to take it to this unique level. It's been my plan to get into the Truck Series for quite some time. Now, we have a well-designed driver development program to groom drivers in championship caliber equipment as they work their way up through the ranks." DGR-CROSLEY is based in Mooresville, N.C., and has retained the same race shop that Red Horse Racing used successfully over the last 10 years. From this location, DGR-CROSLEY will be fielding late model, K&N, ARCA and NASCAR Trucks. "We couldn't be more excited about DGR-CROSLEY," said CROSLEY Sports Group President Bo LeMastus. "David brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and credibility to this company. I love our development process, especially for the drivers who now have the opportunity to race from late model to K&N, to ARCA, to the NASCAR Truck Series in championship caliber equipment, all under one roof. If they aspire to go beyond the Trucks, they'll be very well-groomed to get there." The DGR-CROSLEY stable will be made up exclusively of Toyotas with support from Toyota Racing Development (TRD). Announcements on some of the committed drivers will follow by the end of next week. (In part from ARCARacing.com) (01-25-18)
  • Win-Tron Racing switches to Chevrolet; new crew chief for Gus Dean: Officials from Win-Tron Racing announced today that the longtime ARCA Racing Series team will undergo several organizational changes following a promising pre-season test at Daytona International Speedway earlier this month with ARCA winner Gus Dean. After finishing fourth in the championship standings in 2017, championship contender Dean will return to the team full-time and seek the ARCA championship in his second full season. Veteran industry leader Jamie Jones has joined Win-Tron Racing to lead Dean’s efforts this season. An accomplished crew chief for decades, Jones brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the organization. Jones began his new tenure at Win-Tron Racing before the Daytona test after a stint at MDM Motorsports, where he was instrumental in helping assemble the team’s current ARCA foundation. Additionally, beginning with the Feb. 10 Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire at Daytona, Win-Tron Racing will also switch manufacturers from Toyota to Chevrolet for the entire 20-race season schedule. (In part from ARCARacing.com) (01-25-18)
  • Scott Reeves returning for a partial schedule; starting at Daytona: Florida's Scott Reeves will return to the ARCA Racing Series this year for a partial schedule. Reeves, a retired Palm Beach County firefighter, will attempt the season opening Lucas Oil 200 at Daytona in February and will make later starts at Talladega, Lucas Oil Raceway, and Salem. The 48 year-old raced at Nashville last season, where he finished 14th. Reeves drives for Finney Racing Enterprises and has only competed at ARCA short track in past seasons. (01-20-18)
  • Jesse Iwuji attempting Daytona & other superspeedway tracks: [Jesse] Iwuji, a Navy veteran and four-year safety for the Navy Midshipmen football team, was one of four drivers who tested for Patriot Motorsports, a new ARCA team set to make its debut in the ARCA season-opener at Daytona. A veteran of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West, the native Texan is set to take on Daytona in his first "big track" start. "My goal this year is to run as many big tracks as possible." Iwuji is also planning to run part-time schedules on the K&N side, but he also says his main focus will be the ARCA Racing Series. "I can't do the second Pocono race or Gateway but all the other speedways I'll be doing... Daytona, Talladega, Charlotte, the first Pocono, Michigan, Chicagoland and Kansas. I’m going to be running a mix of West and East races but ARCA will be my priority... the speedways and the mile-and-a-halves... I want to get that kind of experience to move up the ranks." (In part from ARCARacing.com) (01-20-18)
  • Television Coverage Announced for FOX Sports: The 55th running of the Daytona ARCA 200 will kick off Speedweeks from Daytona International Speedway, and FS1 will provide live, flag-to-flag coverage beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. Additional events scheduled for broadcast include the Friday, April 27 General Tire 200 from Talladega Superspeedway (FS1); ARCA’s return to Charlotte Motor Speedway Thursday, May 24 (FS1); both the June 1 (FS2) and July 27 (FS1) events from Pocono Raceway; the Friday night, June 22 event from Gateway Motorsports Park (FS2); the Thursday night, June 28 event from Chicagoland Speedway (FS1); and the Oct. 19 season finale from Kansas Speedway (FS2). The first Pocono telecast will re-air on FS1 June 2 at 10 p.m. ET. The Gateway telecast will re-air on FS1 same-night at 11:30 p.m. ET and the following morning (June 23) at 11 a.m. ET. The telecast from Kansas could move to FS1, pending Major League Baseball playoffs and Women's World Cup qualifying. (In part from ARCARacing.com) (01-20-18)
  • Tony Mrakovich joins Fast Track Racing for Daytona; Extreme Energy Solutions to sponsor: Tony Mrakovich has teamed up with Andy Hillenburg and Fast Track Racing as well as sponsor Extreme Energy Solutions to run the ARCA Lucas Oil 200 at the Daytona International Speedway. The partnerships represent a couple of reunions as team, driver and sponsor look forward to a successful outing on the two-and-a-half mile super speedway. Mrakovich, a native of Elizabethtown, PA, made his stock car debut in April 2017 after spending the early years of his career competing in Karting and Legends throughout the Mid-Atlantic. He finished eighth in his first ARCA start at Nashville and followed it up with an impressive ninth at Salem. A few weeks later, Mrakovich joined Fast Track Racing and finished 15th at Pocono Raceway after an untimely caution stifled their chances of another top-10. While the result was not an accurate representation of the car’s speed, the team’s performance throughout the entire weekend made the 19-year old excited for another chance to capitalize on the potential displayed last June. "Andy and team gave me a car that I could compete with last year at Pocono and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of one of their machines again this February” said Mrakovich in between ARCA open testing sessions at Daytona. “The new composite bodies will certainly mean these cars will drive differently and there will be a lot of learning to do in a short time. Working with an experienced team like Fast Track gives me all the confidence I need to know that we will adapt to the changes and run competitively." (In part from Tony Mrakovich Racing PR) (01-16-18)
  • Dave Mader III attempting Daytona with Spraker Racing: [Dave Mader III] is also going to be in a good piece at Daytona, something he never had the chance to do before. Mader's "chance" to drive a good car will be made possible by his car owner and crew chief Jeff Spraker, of Jeff Spraker Racing. Of course getting to Daytona in a really good car also takes a good sponsor. Mader's got that covered too. "My [fiancé] is my sponsor. Paris Wixon is my sponsor. She has a 558-acre ranch here in Montgomery. She's been Quarter Horse Racing all her life... 6-time world champion. She's the Richard Petty in that world. Been together about 4 years now. Very pretty lady... I'm the luckiest man on earth. If not for her, we wouldn't have this opportunity and we wouldn't be having this conversation. She's a pistol... she's more excited than me." Beyond the necessary financial backing, Mader's deal for Daytona came together fast. "Paris has a '68 Chevelle, and I've been working on it. I needed a rear end (gear) for it... started shopping around and ran into Jeff (Spraker). He sells rear ends for those old cars. Got to talking and bought a rear end from him... went to Mooresville (N.C.) to pick it up. He got to showing me his shop…got to talking. I was just curious... asked him what it'd take to field a car at Daytona. He said, 'Why you ask? Just curious,' I said. Then he asked, 'Who are you asking for?' I said it was me. I told him I'd tell Paris about it. Well, when she heard that, she immediately said, 'I'd love to do that!' She knows my history. She knows I never had any financial backing. Jeff and I started talking in October... by the first of November, we put this thing together. It's just fantastic." (In part from ARCARacing.com) (01-16-18)
  • Will Rodgers to drive part time for Ken Schrader Racing: Will Rodgers, a two-time NASCAR K&N Pro Series winner, will drive for Ken Schrader Racing in the ARCA Racing Series in select races in 2018, starting with the Lucas Oil 200 at Daytona Int'l Speedway. KSR, the defending national championship team, has plans to field two cars this year. Rodgers, in the No. 52 Drydene Performance Products Ford, was also impressive in open testing over the weekend at Daytona, coming in seventh fastest overall among 62 drivers who posted time and speed. Rodgers, born in Maui, Hawaii in 1994, took his first laps at the historic superspeedway in preparation for the race. "First of all, it was a unique experience," said Rodgers. "I had never been on a track more than a mile long... that was an oval anyway. It was a little more demanding than I thought. You have to put a little bit more wheel on it to keep it where you want." (In part from ARCARacing.com) (01-15-18)
  • Tom Hessert fastest overall in Daytona open test: ARCA Racing Series veteran Tom Hessert was the fastest among 62 drivers who turned laps in open testing Friday and Saturday at Daytona Int'l Speedway, all in preparation for next month's 55th running of the Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire. Hessert, in a Venturini Motorsports-prepared No. 55 Toyota, posted a top speed of 185.258 mph. "The car handled the same during the run, whether we were towards the front, in the middle, or out back," said the Cherry Hill, N.J. driver. "I’m really looking forward to next month." Full Speeds (In part from ARCARacing.com) (01-15-18)
  • Michael McGuire to race at Daytona and Charlotte: 21 year-old Michael McGuire will compete in at least two ARCA Racing Series events this year. McGuire, who is participating in the open Daytona test for Win-Tron Racing this weekend, will return next month for the Lucas Oil 200. Afterward, the Virginia native will race in the General Tire 150 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May. McGuire has nine career NASCAR K&N Pro East series starts and won the limited late model stock car championship at Orange County Speedway in Rougemont, NC when he was thirteen. (01-12-18)
  • ARCA reaches 3 year broadcast agreement with FOX Sports: Officials from the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) and FOX Sports have announced a three-year broadcast rights agreement that calls for a minimum of eight ARCA Racing Series events to be televised on FOX Sports in each of the next three years 2018 - 2020. FS1 will drop the green flag on ARCA’s 66th season of competition at Daytona International Speedway with live coverage of the 55th Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire February 10, 2018. "With more than two decades of working together under our belts, it’s great to be able to secure another multi-year deal with the team at ARCA," said Josh Oakley, FOX Sports Executive Director of Acquisitions & League Operations. "We look forward to getting the new deal started as part of FOX Sports’ comprehensive coverage of Daytona Speedweeks in February." According to Nielsen Media Research, FS1 is currently available in 84.5 million homes, while FS2 is rapidly growing and now available in more than 52 million U.S. households. (In part from ARCARacing.com) (01-12-18)
  • Kirk Horton to attempt Daytona with Norm Hutton Racing: Kirk Horton plans to attempt the Lucas Oil 200 at Daytona in February driving the No. 37 entry for Norm Hutton Racing. The 54 year-old driver previously tested for the team at Pocono Raceway last season and has raced modifieds regularly at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York. Norm Hutton Racing fielded a car for David LeBeau at the superspeedway races in 2017. (01-12-18)
  • Tyler Dippel and Grant Quinlan testing for Rette Jones Racing: Heading to the ARCA Racing Series open test at Daytona International Speedway this weekend in preparation for next month’s Lucas Oil 200, Rette Jones Racing's third year of competition is shaping up to be their best season yet. 19-year-old Grant Quinlan returns to RJR to test the team’s No. 30 Ford Fusion in this weekend’s two-day test. The Maidstone, Ontario native will pair with Wallkill, New York’s Tyler Dippel who will return to the Mooresville, N.C.-based team for an increased schedule this season. "I’m very excited about testing an ARCA car at Daytona," said Quinlan. "Rette Jones Racing has a very strong superspeedway program and I’m looking forward to having a successful test with Mark and learning the ropes with my teammate Tyler (Dippel) alongside. "Hopefully, everything pans out and were able to come back and compete in the season-opener in February. That would be a dream come true." Dippel, 17, will continue his foray into ARCA competition with an intense superspeedway test in the new superspeedway composite body No. 30a Ford Fusion. "I’ve always dreamed of competing at Daytona and thanks to Mark and the guys at Rette Jones Racing, I’ll have that opportunity to test this weekend," said Dippel. "The test will be a good experience where hopefully in 2019 when I’m 18, I’ll be able to race at Daytona and kick off the year on a high note. This weekend though will be one I won’t forget." Rette Jones Racing will announce Dippel’s 2018 schedule lineup in the coming weeks. (In part from Rette Jones Racing PR) (01-11-18)
  • Frank Kimmel to crew chief Leilani Münter at Daytona: For near thirty years Frank Kimmel mastered his craft on tour dominating the ARCA Racing Series hoisting 10 national championships and 80-wins throughout his decorated career. Now, two years removed from the driver’s seat and possessing a lifetime of racing experience, Kimmel begins the next chapter joining Venturini Motorsports’ crew chief lineup for the upcoming 2018 ARCA racing season. Kimmel, expected to work and mentor a number of drivers from VMS’ Toyota Racing aligned driver development program will make his crew chiefing debut next month when he climbs the ladder and calls the shots for driver Leilani Munter during ARCA’s season opener at Daytona International Speedway on February 10. Primed and ready to make his mark atop the pit box, Kimmel is enthusiastic for this next stage of his career. "These are exciting times for me," said Kimmel. "I never knew exactly what I was going to do after my driving days ended, but I knew the natural progression was to stay in the industry in some capacity. Fearing I’d go stir crazy sitting around I’ve been talking with a lot of people lately looking for the right opportunity. When the chance came up with this deal I took it. Venturini Motorsports is a great organization with tons of young talent behind the wheel. I’m looking forward to being a part of the team. Helping these young drivers will be fun and very fulfilling – I’m in a good place." (In part from Venturini Motorsports PR) (01-11-18)
  • Brandon Grosso to drive full time for Ken Schrader Racing: Brandon Grosso is teaming up with Ken Schrader Racing for the full 2018 ARCA Racing Series season, beginning at Daytona Int'l Speedway. Grosso will be driving the No. 52 KSR Ford, the ride recently occupied by 2017 ARCA national champion Austin Theriault. "Timing is everything," said Grosso. "To be able to make my first ARCA Racing Series start with Ken Schrader Racing and then be able to race with them full-time is an amazing opportunity. I'm looking forward to working with Donnie (Richeson/crew chief) and the team, and especially excited knowing that Kenny will be available to provide advice and direction is a high confidence booster for me. I realize I have a very big seat to fill and I'm up for the challenge. There are so many people that have helped me get to this point, especially my family, and I do not want to let them or the Ken Schrader Racing team down." The "very big seat to fill" is a reference to Theriault, who took the series by storm last year, winning seven races en route to the national championship. "We’re thrilled to have Brandon Grosso with our KSR team for the 2018 ARCA season," said Team Owner Ken Schrader. "He did a fine job for us last year at DuQuoin, finishing fifth in his first time at the track. We're looking forward to working with him again. At every level in which he has competed he has done well. His fifth-place finish in the CARS Tour last year is very impressive. He is a proven driver on the dirt and asphalt. We hope Brandon continues that trend in the #52 ARCA car.” The Belle Mead, N.J. rookie is one of several drivers who will be testing this weekend, Jan. 12-13 at Daytona. However, he will not turn 18 until March 30, which will prevent him from racing in the season-opening Lucas Oil 200. Grosso will be permitted to make a lap in practice during Speedweeks at Daytona in order to earn points toward the championship. Riley Herbst, who finished fifth in ARCA Racing Series standings in 2017, followed the same procedure last year. (In part from ARCARacing.com) (01-10-18)
  • Chad Bryant purchases Cunningham Motorsports; LeMastus driving at Daytona: Three-time Cometic Crew Chief of the Year Chad Bryant announced today that he has purchased the assets of Cunningham Motorsports, formerly a co-ownership between Briggs Cunningham and Kerry Scherer. Bryant has been a key component in Cunningham's success for years, crew-chiefing driver Chase Briscoe to the ARCA national championship in 2016. "Same team, new name," said Bryant. "We're open for business as Chad Bryant Racing (CBR)... still the 77 and the 22." The numbers won't be the only things familiar to competitors in the ARCA garage. "I'm excited and blessed to keep this group of guys together. It's the same nucleus all-star group from Cunningham that held this thing together for years... making Cunningham the highly successful organization it is today." That "same nucleus all-star group" includes longtime Cunningham Team Manager and Crew Chief Paul Andrews, whose race shop still contains all the former Cunningham cars and equipment.
    Bo LeMastus:     Bo LeMastus was the first to commit to Chad Bryant Racing for the 55th running of the Lucas Oil 200 at Daytona. It starts with the open test this weekend, Jan. 12-13. LeMastus, of Louisville, Ky., will be driving the No. 77 Crosley Brands Ford. "I don't think there are betters guys in the ARCA garage to be working with than Chad Bryant and Paul Andrews," said LeMastus. "Totally top shelf. I could not have found a better opportunity. I'm so pumped to be in that car (77). For me, it was a simple decision. I like the way they run things... I think it's going to be a great fit."
    Joe Graf Jr. & Chad Finchum:     CBR also plans to debut two new drivers at the open test, provided they pass the ARCA-mandated requirements to participate. "Joe Graf, Jr. and Chad Finchum are also going to be testing with us. Finchum is there to get approval to run the Xfinity race at Daytona but we expect Joe (Graf) to run a number of races with us throughout the year." (In part from ARCARacing.com) (01-09-18)
  • Michael Self joins Venturini Motorsports for 10 races; Sinclair sponsorship: Veteran driver Michael Self, with returning sponsorship from Sinclair Oil Corporation, has officially announced a partnership with Venturini Motorsports for the upcoming 2018 racing season. Self, 27, who made his ARCA Series debut with VMS in 2014, returns to the Toyota-backed team for 10 races in 2018, beginning with the highly anticipated season-opener at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 10. "I couldn’t be more excited to return to the ARCA Racing Series in 2018 with Sinclair Oil and Venturini Motorsports," said Self. "I think we’ve aligned several prominent forces both on and off the track for this program, and that gives me a lot of confidence as we prepare for Daytona." Selected to pilot the team’s Toyota for a partial series schedule, the Park City, Utah native will also compete at Nashville, Talladega, Charlotte, Michigan, Chicagoland, Iowa, Lucas Oil, Salem and Kansas. (In part from Venturini Motorsports PR) (01-08-18)
  • Harrison Burton returns with MDM Motorsports for partial schedule: In 2018, [Harrison] Burton [will compete in a] partial ARCA Racing Series [schedule] for MDM Motorsports, a team with which he won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship last season. “Just one year ago, I couldn’t believe the tremendous opportunities I had been given with Kyle Busch Motorsports and MDM Motorsports, as well unbelievable corporate partners who stepped up to the plate to support a young driver,” Burton said. “We all clicked so quickly that it was hard to believe it was our first year together. I can’t wait to see how a little experience and familiarity with each other pays off in 2018, and I couldn’t be more proud to represent DEX Imaging, Toyota, Morton Buildings, Hunt Brothers Pizza, RUUD and Sports Force Parks.” Sports Force Parks is a new partner for Burton this season and will be joining the young driver for an ARCA Racing Series event. Among returning sponsors, DEX Imaging will back Burton in multiple races. Morton Buildings expands last year’s partnership, riding along with Burton for two ARCA races. (In part from KHI Management) (01-08-17)
  • Mullins Racing announces full Daytona test driver lineup: Mullins Racing will be bringing two cars the annual ARCA Racing Series open test at Daytona International Speedway on Jan. 12-13, with four drivers scheduled to share driving duties of the two cars. Willie Mullins, team owner of Mullins Racing, is scheduled to be one of four drivers for Mullins Racing during the two-day test session at the 2.5-mile superspeedway. Mullins has made two ARCA Racing Series starts at Daytona, earning a best finish of eighth in 2016. “We’re really looking forward to getting on track for the annual open test at Daytona,” Mullins said. “We’re thrilled to be bringing two cars with us and we’ve got a great lineup of drivers joining us. Hopefully we can turn a lot of laps and learn a lot ahead of the opening race of the season.” Joining Mullins Racing for the ARCA Racing Series open test are returning driver Robert Bruce, Andrew Belmont and Dick Karth. (In part from Mullins Racing PR) (01-08-17)
  • Ronnie Osmer testing at Daytona with Max Force Racing: Pearl River, Louisiana's Ronnie Osmer will take part in the ARCA test at Daytona with Thomas "Moose" Praytor's Max Force race team. An 18th birthday right before Christmas made Osmer eligible for the Daytona test and the High School Senior jumped at the opportunity to turn laps at the World Center of Speed. "Daytona is a dream come true for any racer, Christmas came early this year," said Osmer. Osmer's racing resume is highlighted with Two Louisiana 600 Inex Racing Championships, a couple of Track Championships, Mobile International Speedway Rookie of the Year Honors and Speed51/AR Bodies Most Popular Late Model Driver. After a successful test at Talladega, Praytor's Mobile, Alabama based team started working towards a back-up composite car for Daytona. Osmer will be responsible for putting the second car through its paces while Praytor continues to work on his Primary DK-LOK machine. (In part from Max Force Racing PR) (01-08-17)
  • Patriot Motorsports Group to test at Daytona with four drivers: Patriot Motorsports Group will make its ARCA Racing Series debut at next weekend's Daytona open test. The NASCAR K&N Pro Series team (which is owned by Jesse Iwuji, retired NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman, and John Wood) will test four drivers in two of its cars. Drivers include Iwuji, Jerry de Weerdt, Jonas Fors, and Rob Powers.
    Jesse Iwuji:     Owner/driver Jesse Iwuji has raced full time in the NASCAR K&N Pro West series since 2016, finishing 10th and 14th in driver points in the last two seasons. The 30 year-old Texan previously competed in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. He is a current member of the United States Navy Reserve and played football in college.
    Jerry de Weerdt:     Belgium's Jerry de Weerdt has competed in the ELITE 1 and ELITE 2 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series divisions since 2014, where he has amassed over 60 career starts. The 48 year-old has been the Legend Trophy Winner in the ELITE 2 division for the past two seasons, which is dedicated to drivers aged 40 and over. De Weerdt joined Patriot Motorsports Group last year for his first NASCAR K&N Pro West series start at Kern County Raceway Park, where he finished 22nd.
    Jonas Fors:     Swedish driver Jonas Fors made two NASCAR K&N Pro West series starts for Patriot Motorsports Group last year at All American Speedway and Kern County Raceway Park. The 24 year-old has previous experience in V8 Thunder Cars.
    Rob Powers:     Rob Powers, from Idaho, made five prior starts in the NASCAR K&N Pro West series in 2015. Powers will be testing with the team to secure his ARCA superspeedway license. He is not expected to race in February. (01-06-18)
  • Morgen Baird testing at Daytona with Fast Track; searching for sponsorship: Morgen Baird will return to Fast Track Racing and will participate in the open Daytona test next weekend. The 24 year-old driver made his debut with the team last year at Michigan, where he finished 21st. Baird is currently working on securing sponsorship and hopes to compete in races this season. (01-06-17)
  • Peterson Motorsports returning; looking to purchase composite car: Peterson Motorsports recently announced on Twitter that it will return this season. The team is looking to purchase a composite car: "We are currently still searching for a composite body. We are in touch with a few different people about buying one; just no deals have been made yet. We are currently starting to [prepare] our steel body cars and are planning on running them at as many races as we can. Looking forward to another year of [ARCA] racing!" (In part from Twitter.com) (01-06-18)
  • Mullins Racing partners with Hixson Motorsports for 2018: A new year means a fresh start and a new partnership for Willie Mullins and Mullins Racing, who have teamed up with Hixson Motorsports for the 2018 ARCA Racing Series season. As part of the partnership the Mullins Racing Ford that Mullins will drive at select events in 2018 will sport the No. 3 instead of the No. 34 that the team has previously used in ARCA Racing Series competition in a partnership with Darrell Basham Racing. "I want to thank the Basham family for all the help they gave us over the last few years and for allowing us to use the No. 34. Since the Basham’s were unsure of their future and whether they were going to run a full season or not, we decided to go with a number that was going to compete in all the races in 2018," Mullins said. "We’re excited to work with the Hixson team now. Since they’re scaling back their operation some we’re going to try and fill the void for them. "We’re excited to work with them for the four or five races we plan on entering in 2018." (In part from Mullins Racing PR) (01-02-18)