archives

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

June 2018

  • Jesse Iwuji joins Max Force Racing for Chicagoland: Scotts Rookie of the Year Candidate and official track ambassador for the Stars and Stripes weekend, Lt. Jesse Iwuji is teaming up with Thomas Praytor’s Max Force Racing for the ARCA Racing Series Scotts 150 at Chicagoland Speedway on Thursday night June 28th on FS1. "Jesse's story is incredible," from Praytor. "We've been working hard to give him a quality piece that he can get some valuable seat time in. We’re looking to have a lot of fun and a good night in Chicago." Iwuji, a currently serving Naval Officer, will become the first United States Naval Academy graduate to ever compete at [Chicagoland] Speedway. The Chicago area is also home to his primary sponsor headquarters, BBMC Mortgage - who will be promoting their "we've got your six" sweepstakes, and debut Iwuji’s patriotic paint scheme that honors local fallen soldier Army Pvt. Aaron S. Toppen. Iwuji is also looking forward to racing with his new team. "For a guy trying to make a move through the ranks, having the team we have been able to put together for Chicago is incredible! It gives me a lot of confidence before I even get into the seat," said Iwuji. (In part from Max Force Racing PR) (06-28-18)
  • Kevin Reed; Venturini Motorsports penalized after Madison UPDATE To Appeal: Based on post-race technical inspection after the Herr's Potato Chips 200 at Madison International Speedway, the Venturini Motorsports No. 15 team has been penalized for violation of the 2018 ARCA Rule Book, Page 82, No. 8F iii, which references minimum and maximum tread width. As a result, No. 15 team crew chief Kevin Reed has been fined $750 and team owner Bill Venturini and driver Chandler Smith have been penalized with the loss of 25 championship points. (In part from ARCARacing.com) (06-20-18)
    UPDATE: Venturini Motorsports has stated that the team will appeal the penalty. Kevin Reed, the crew chief of the No. 15 entry, posted the following message on Twitter: "We added 1/8” wheel spacer because studs were worn when we had a loose RF wheel wasnt hiding anything. Many crew chiefs have done this over the years only way to fix until you can change studs. Onto Gateway Trophy Hunting" (In part from Twitter.com) (06-26-18)
  • Sheldon Creed dominates at Gateway; scores second win: Sheldon Creed started the PapaNicholas Coffee 150 from the General Tire Pole and dominated all evening long, picking up his second ARCA Racing Series win of the season on Friday night at Gateway Motorsports Park. Creed drove the No. 28 United Rentals Toyota to a track record in the second practice session that set the field for the start. "Some race weekends are easier than others," Creed said in victory lane. "We won at Michigan and then went out and qualified twelfth last weekend at Madison. This weekend we were fast in practice, set a track record, led the most laps and won." Full Results (In part from ARCARacing.com) (06-26-18)
  • Chandler Smith wins the Herr's Potato Chips 200 at Madison: Fifteen-year-old Chandler Smith scored his first career ARCA win in the Herr's 200 at Madison International Speedway on Friday night. Smith also led the practice session earlier in the day, and earned his fourth consecutive General Tire Pole in qualifying. Smith dropped to the tail of the lead lap with loose right side wheels. As Smith was slowing with those wheel issues on lap 37, Tommy Vigh, Jr. spun in turn four to put the field under the third caution of the evening, which allowed Smith to pit and stay on the lead lap. Smith made an unscheduled stop under caution on lap 39, and when the green waved three laps later he restarted 13th. The Talking Rock, Georgia, native quickly worked his way back up into the top five. By the halfway mark, he had moved back into third behind Zane Smith and Chase Purdy, both of whom looked like they could potentially be the car to beat. But by lap 126, Chandler dipped to the lowside on a restart and moved into the lead, a lead he wouldn't reliquish. Full Results (In part from ARCARacing.com) (06-18-18)
  • Ken Schrader Racing not competing at Madison: Ken Schrader Racing, which won the owner's championship last year with Austin Theriault driving, will not compete in tomorrow's Herr's Potato Chips 200 at Madison International Speedway. The team had announced that Brandon Grosso would compete full time in January, but Grosso left the organization prior to Pocono. Ken Schrader is expected to be behind the wheel of his own No. 52 entry when the team returns to the series at Gateway Motorsports Park on June 22nd. Will Rodgers will also compete in more events for the team later this year. (06-14-18)
  • Sheldon Creed scores first career win at Michigan: It wasn't exactly a barn burner, but for Sheldon Creed, in search of his career-first ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards victory, it must have looked like the "promise land" out the front windshield of his No. 28 United Rentals Toyota. Creed dominated the final two-thirds of the race, taking the lead on lap 37 of the 100-lap show and never let it go. In the end, the Alpine, Calif. driver pulled away from runner-up finisher Riley Herbst to win the 37th running of the ZOMONGO 200 Friday afternoon at Michigan Int'l Speedway. "It's been a long time coming," said Creed, who has three third-place finishes and a pair of runner-up runs already this year. "We have been so close to winning these things; it feels so good to finally get it done. It starts when you unload off the truck. It all goes back to the guys in the shop. Just a great day. No complaints inside the car…just a great day. Thanks to my whole family…my grandpa who's been behind me since day one. I can't wait to come back to the track and do it again." Creed also took back the championship points lead from his MDM Motorsports teammate Zane Smith. Full Results (In part from ARCARacing.com) (06-08-18)
  • Kevin Reed Jr; Daniel Koozer fined and suspended after Pocono: As a result of an incident on pit road and in the ARCA Racing Series garage area at Pocono Raceway June 1, Daniel Koozer and Kevin Reed Jr. have been fined $1,000 each, suspended for two races and placed on disciplinary probation for the remainder of 2018. The penalty was issued for violation of 2018 ARCA Rulebook Section 4, Pages 12-13, #5 and #10, which collectively reference professional conduct by team members, fighting and conduct or actions detrimental to the sport of auto racing and/or ARCA. (In part from ARCARacing.com) (06-08-18)
  • Chad Finley secures new sponsorship for Michigan: Former winner Chad Finley is set to make his return to ARCA's national tour in this Friday's ZOMONGO 200 at Michigan Int'l Speedway. Finley, in the family-owned No. 51 Chevrolet, will also get an assist from new marketing partner Strutmasters.com. Since 1999, Strutmasters.com has severed as an industry leader in suspension parts and air to non-air suspension conversion kits. The Roxboro, N.C. company debuted in the ARCA Racing Series in 2012 with driver Matt Lofton's race team. "We are so excited to welcome Strutmasters.com on board this weekend at Michigan," said Finley. "We work around the clock to try and bring new partners to our team and we’re glad to make it happen with Strutmasters.com. "Strutmasters.com is no stranger to ARCA and success in the series. We are hoping we can give them a good finish on Friday and maybe it will turn into more opportunities with them down the road." (In part from ARCARacing.com) (06-08-18)
  • Ken Schrader to race at Gateway with Drydene; Rodgers increases schedule: Drydene Performance Products has announced the addition of three races with Ken Schrader Racing for the 2018 ARCA Racing Series season. The additional races include Michigan International Speedway Friday and Chicagoland Speedway (June 28) for Will Rodgers, along with a return to ARCA competition by veteran Ken Schrader at Gateway Motorsports Park June 22. "The exposure that Team Drydene has garnered from this partnership to date has been exceptional," said Dave Klinger, president of Drydene Performance Products. "We are very proud to extend our support of Will Rodgers and Ken Schrader Racing. The response from our customers has been tremendous and that shows the power of being aligned with the right team combination in motorsports. Seeing Ken Schrader in our Drydene red firesuit will be a thrill for our customers and employees."
    Schrader: In Schrader’s last ARCA appearance at Gateway, his car broke while leading. Schrader's planning for a better go-round this time. He's also planning on getting a lot of local support, being from nearby Fenton, Mo. "With Gateway in my backyard, and with so many of my family and friends who will be there," said Schrader. "I'm looking forward to getting back into an ARCA race; it'll be fun, and I want a great finish for Drydene. I do want to give a shout out to Drydene Performance Products and thank them for giving an old guy like me a chance. Seriously, support from companies like Drydene is essential for racers like Will to build a strong foundation for a career in motorsports." (In part from ARCARacing.com) (06-07-18)
  • Natalie Decker returns to action at Michigan: Natalie Decker, the popular 20-year old driver, returns to the action this weekend when the ARCA Racing Series invades Michigan International Speedway on Friday June 8 for the 37th running of the ZOMONGO 200. In a well-documented storyline, Decker was partially sidelined last week at Pocono Raceway after undergoing successful hernia surgery on May 25, the day after competing at Charlotte Motor Speedway. On the mend and unable to go the distance, Decker was relegated to taking one-lap in last Friday's #AnywhereIsPossible 200 at the Tricky Triangle, before giving way to Venturini Motorsports' relief driver Brennan Poole. "I was overly optimistic thinking I could be ready for Pocono," said Decker. "My doctor kept me out knowing it would be best long term – we didn't want to chance missing any more races. I'm feeling 100% better now and ready to go at Michigan." (In part from Venturini Motorsports PR) (06-07-18)
  • Tommy Vigh Jr. to make ARCA debut at Madison for Fast Track Racing: In an effort to gain additional market exposure and increase its presence throughout the racing community, Extreme Energy Solutions took the opportunity to promote long time Veteran Dirt Track Race Car Driver Tommy Vigh Jr. to compete in ARCA. Vigh is the Company's Brand Ambassador in representing the Extreme Kleaner and H2O Energy Flow product lines, and has done so for a number of years. Tommy Vigh Jr. of Otisville, NY; and will be piloting equipment provided by Fast Track Racing, under the leadership of Andy Hillenburg, to make a run in this year's Herr's Potato Chips 200 at the Madison International Speedway on June 15, 2018, in the #11 car. "I am so grateful and thankful for the opportunity Extreme Energy Solutions and Samuel K. Burlum have been able to provide me over the last few years. Being able to drive at the ARCA level is a highlight for my career. I am also looking forward to driving for Fast Track and Andy Hillenburg. I appreciate that Andy allowed for me to get behind the wheel of his car. I look to make both Extreme and Fast track proud and hope for a good debut run,” Vigh shared. (In part from Extreme Energy Solutions PR) (06-07-18)
  • Harrison Burton wins at Pocono Raceway: ARCA rookie Harrison Burton looked more like a veteran in his career-first superspeedway start, handily winning the General Tire #AnywhereIsPossible 200 Friday afternoon at Pocono Raceway. Burton, in the No. 12 DEX Imaging Toyota, drove away from his teammates over the final 10 laps to earn his second career ARCA victory in his fifth series start. "That was awesome," said Burton. "It's my first superspeedway race, but it doesn't matter to us. I have the best team behind me. This win is for John Andretti. Their family is going through a lot right now. He's the toughest guy on the planet. If anyone can do it, he can." Burton struggled in the open test Wednesday, had a mechanical issue in practice Friday, but put it all together in time to go to Victory Lane. "I didn't get much sleep last night, but it was all worth it. All that matters is family in this world and I got a great one behind me. This is so cool." (In part from ARCARacing.com) (06-01-18)
  • Brennan Poole to relieve Natalie Decker after green flag: Natalie Decker, recovering from recent surgery, will start tomorrow’s ARCA Racing Series General Tire #AnyWhereIsPossible 200 at Pocono Raceway but will give way to Brennan Poole after the drop of Friday’s green flag. Natalie Decker and Brennan Poole Venturini PoconoDecker, who underwent successful hernia surgery last week the day after finishing 15th at Charlotte Motor Speedway, will take the green flag before coming down pit road on lap-1 making way for Poole to jump into the seat of her No. 25 N29 Capital Partners – Yamaha Power Products Toyota and complete the race for the popular 20-year old rookie driver. "It’s an unfortunate situation for Natalie and the team," said Poole Thursday morning from Pocono. "As a driver you always want to compete. I know how difficult this deal is for Natalie but it’s important for her to heal up and not push herself too much too early." (In part from Venturini Motorsports PR) (06-01-18)
  • Tony Mrakovich back with Fast Track Racing for Pocono: Tony Mrakovich is excited to return to his hometown track to compete in the ARCA General Tire #AnywhereIsPossible 200 this Friday at Pocono Raceway. Mrakovich will pilot the No. 11 Street Stores Hardware/Cedar Street Supply Chevrolet for Andy Hillenburg and Fast Track Racing. "I am really looking forward to competing at Pocono with the ARCA Racing Series this week" said the 19-year old. "I am eager to see how the weekend goes, returning to a track for the second time in the ARCA Series. My first start last year at Pocono was going very well until we picked the wrong fuel strategy and lost some track position." Mrakovich also understands that building team chemistry is critical to improving performance, something he sees developing with Fast Track Racing as Friday will mark the third time both team and driver have worked together in 2018. "The guys at Fast Track Racing work really hard but still know how to have fun, which makes it particularly enjoyable to work with them. Last month at Toledo was the first time back with the team since Daytona. Working consistently with them and building momentum is the best way we can learn and improve together" explained Mrakovich. (In part from Tony Mrakovich Racing PR) (06-01-18)