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

April 2021

  • Corey Heim wins the General Tire 200 at Talladega: [Corey] Heim drove his No. 20 JBL Toyota to Victory Lane at Talladega in the General Tire 200. It was the Marietta, Georgia, driver’s second win of the year, following his triumph in the season-opening event at Daytona. He joined David Keith as the only driver to sweep the two races in a single season since 1992. Saturday’s race came down to a sprint on a one-lap restart following a late caution. Heim restarted third with Bret Holmes and Nick Sanchez leading the field to the final green flag. Heim’s Venturini Motorsports teammate, Drew Dollar, immediately ditched the top lane to fall in line behind the No. 20. And the same teamwork that pushed Heim to the win at Daytona did it again at Talladega. Sanchez, who took the lead entering the Talladega Superstretch after Holmes failed to block his run on the outside, could do nothing to stop the VMS train in his mirror. By the time the field reached the end of the backstretch, Heim was in the lead for good with Dollar in tow. Dave Mader III, the 65-year-old racing veteran who was making his fifth ARCA Menards Series start at Talladega, pulled off an exhilarating second-place finish after he used a push from Thad Moffitt to get by Sanchez on the final stretch. Sanchez finished third ahead of Dollar in fourth and Holmes in fifth. The victory extends Heim’s lead in the championship points standings; he now has a 14-point edge over Dollar. [Ty] Gibbs, who entered Saturday’s race two points behind Heim in the championship standings, was in contention for the win until he was involved in an accident on Lap 62. Full Results (In part from ARCARacing.com) (04-24-21)
  • Toni Breidinger signs Huda Beauty: [Toni] Breidinger and Young’s Motorsports welcome Huda Beauty as the primary partner of the team’s No. 02 Chevrolet SS for Saturday’s General Tire 200 at Talladega Superspeedway. Launched by award-winning beauty blogger turned business mogul Huda Kattan in 2013, Huda Beauty is one of the world’s fastest-growing beauty brands. Beginning as a blog in 2010, Huda Beauty has fast become the No. 1 Beauty Instagram account in the world with over 48 million followers and is currently ranked the 66th most-followed account on Instagram. In addition to Huda Beauty, VibeSzn will serve as an associate marketing partner in this weekend’s final superspeedway race of the 2021 ARCA Menards Series season. (In part from Young's Motorsports PR) (04-23-21)
  • Greg Van Alst picks up additional sponsorship for Talladega: [Greg Van Alst] is ready for his Talladega Superspeedway debut and aiming for redemption with his family-owned Greg Van Alst Motorsports team. “I just feel thankful to be back in ARCA Menards Series competition and the opportunity to try superspeedway racing again,” said Van Alst. “I cannot tell you how proud I am of this Greg Van Alst Motorsports team and the job we did at Daytona in February. We worked hard, and I think we surprised a lot of people. Thankfully, the damage wasn’t as serious as it looked and through a lot of hard work and devotion, we have our CB Fabricating put together and ready to get after it on Saturday afternoon.” CB Fabricating, a longtime partner with Greg Van Alst Motorsports has boosted its commitment to the team and will continue its role as the primary marketing partner of Van Alst’s No. 35 Chevrolet. For Saturday’s third ARCA Menards Series race of the season, Van Alst will carry the Richmond Water Heaters in-car camera offering an exclusive view from the cockpit of his No. 35 Chevrolet SS. Joining Richmond Water Heats as a partner of the onboard camera is #SaveMiniIndy, an organization determined to keep young racers racing in the Indiana region. In addition to CB Fabricating, Top Choice Fence, Norton Transport, KRJ Race Products and Lintz Creative will serve as associate marketing partners for Van Alst’s fifth career ARCA start. (In part from Greg Van Alst Motorsports PR) (04-23-21)
  • Jason Kitzmiller racing at Talladega; will run partial schedule: CR7 Motorsports’ Jason Kitzmiller returns to Talladega Superspeedway for Saturday’s General Tire 200 hoping to deliver his fourth career top-10 finish. Kitzmiller will eye his ninth career series start to improve on his respectable 11th place finish in the season-opening Lucas Oil 200 driven by General Tire at Daytona International Speedway – a race that carried the leadership of former ARCA Menards Series driver Codie Rohrbaugh. With his No. 97 A.L.L. Construction Chevrolet SS all shined up and ready to go, Kitzmiller is ready to return to the 2.66-mile superspeedway and improve on his eighth-place finish last June. “I can’t believe it has been almost a year since I made my ARCA debut at Talladega,” said Kitzmiller. “I’ve learned a lot about superspeedway racing in a short amount of time. We didn’t have the luck at Daytona last February, but the last two races of Talladega last June and Daytona in February, we’ve been able to complete 100 percent of the laps and be around for the finish. This year though, I’d like to leave Talladega with a top-five finish in the books.” Kitzmiller and CR7 Motorsports will run a partial ARCA schedule in 2021 with a firm schedule announced soon. (In part from CR7 Motorsports PR) (04-22-21)
  • Michael Harper to make ARCA debut at Talladega for Fast Track Racing: Since the age of 7, Michael Harper has been driving a race vehicle. He first raced in national WKA karting events, then pavement late models in the Southern All Stars Series throughout the southeast, and in dirt late models for several years. And, since age 18, he has been driving Monster Trucks across the world. The 42 year-old Texan participated in January’s ARCA Menards Series test at Daytona International Speedway with Andy Hillenburg’s Fast Track Racing team. Hillenburg was impressed with Harper’s progress and speed, and the car owner convinced the driver to sign on to race at Talladega Superspeedway in Saturday’s General Tire 200. Harper is entered in Fast Track Racing’s No. 01 Ford. He is scheduled to be paired with veteran NASCAR spotter Andy Houston. “Making laps at Daytona was about the most fun I’ve ever had in a race car,” Harper said. “I’m doing this for fun and to gain experience to run some more races. I’ve always wanted to race in the ARCA Menards Series at Talladega, and the race fits into my Monster Truck schedule.” (In part from ARCARacing.com) (04-22-21)
  • 29 cars on General Tire 200 Talladega entry list: Twenty-nine cars are entered for Saturday's General Tire 200 at Talladega Superspeedway. Notable entries include #02 Toni Breidinger, #9 Thomas Praytor, #21 Jack Wood, #23 Bret Holmes, #29 Derrick Lancaster, #35 Greg Van Alst, #36 Ryan Huff, #44 John Ferrier, #57 Bryan Dauzat, #63 Dave Mader III, #73 Andy Jankowiak, and #94 Benny Chastain. Full Entry List (04-21-21)
  • Eric Caudell competing at Talladega; tentatively running nine other races: Eric Caudell and CCM Racing are preparing to return to the track for the first time since the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway in February. Following a 16th-place run in the Lucas Oil 200, Caudell is hoping to improve upon that by earning his third career top-10 finish in this weekend’s General Tire 150. “Superspeedways are 50/50 getting out undamaged but I am confident going to ‘Dega because we had a good car at Daytona, and almost finished top 10,” said Caudell, who will be competing in the No. 7 Doug Design Ford this weekend. “We came back and immediately began improving the car for Talladega. We are going there to run as hard as we can and try to be in the top 10 at the end.” Caudell, who is both the owner and the driver for the No. 7 team, has raced at Talladega Superspeedway three previous times in the ARCA Menards Series, with a best finish of 14th in March of 2020. The No. 7 CCM team is also looking ahead to the remainder of the 2021 season. As in previous years, the team will be running a limited schedule with a tentative plan including both races at Kansas Speedway (May 1st and October 23rd); Elko Speedway (July 10th); Iowa Speedway (July 24); Winchester Speedway (July 31st); Illinois State Fairgrounds (August 22); the Milwaukee Mile (August 29th); DuQuoin State Fairgrounds (September 5th); and Bristol Motor Speedway (September 16th). (In part from CCM Racing PR) (04-20-21)
  • Thomas Praytor; Max Force Racing secure AIDB sponsorship for Talladega: In what has become an Alabama tradition, Thomas “Moose” Praytor is teaming up with the Alabama Institute of Deaf and Blind (AIDB) for the General Tire 200 at Talladega Superspeedway. Praytor’s support of AIDB dates back to 2013 when he and former teammate AJ McCarron created special race used helmets for AIDB’s charity auction Race Fever. “We consider Moose and his family part of the AIDB family,” said Dr. John Mascia, President, AIDB. “For many years Moose has visited with our kids and supported AIDB. While he is an awesome driver, his caring heart is what makes him a remarkable man and our champion. We are grateful for all he does for our children who are deaf and blind.” Thomas Praytor and AJ McCarron With the main campus located in Talladega, Alabama, the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) is the nation’s most comprehensive education, rehabilitation and employment system serving children and adults who are deaf, blind and multidisabled with a myriad of programs designed just for them. (In part from Max Force Racing PR) (04-13-21)
  • Logan Misuraca still looking to launch ARCA career: Female Florida standout race car driver Logan Misuraca is diligently working behind the scenes to launch a career in the ARCA Menards Series later this year, hoping to add her name to an increasing list of female competitors competing in the developmental NASCAR series. “I’m still here,” Misuraca said. “There was a lot of hype with an opportunity to compete in the ARCA Menards Series earlier this season, but those plans fell through. Right now, I’m just diligently working behind the scenes on both marketing and racing making sure the next steps I take will be the right ones when it comes to my future.” Without the full-time support of a sponsor, Misuraca’s on-track activity has been less than ideal, but that is not deterring her from giving up on what she has built over the last several years. “I am 100 percent sponsor and marketing driven,” added Misuraca. “It takes a lot to go in circles and do it competitively, but I feel like even though I don’t have a wealthy family, I have their utmost support.” Recently, Misuraca formed an alliance with fgrACCEL, an agency that specializes in Motorsports marketing and representation. The same agency is aligned with NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Joe Graf Jr. Quickly, Misuraca and Graf Jr. have meshed well. “I’m very thankful to be apart of fgrACCEL and working with someone like Joe (Graf Jr.) who has experience in ARCA and NASCAR,” she said. “I’m learning a lot about what it takes to be a successful race car driver, but I’m also knee-deep into learning more and more about the business aspect of the sport too.” (In part from Logan Misuraca PR) (04-09-21)
  • Taylor Gray involved in single-car accident UPDATE: David Gilliland Racing driver, Taylor Gray, was involved in a single-car accident last night in Statesville, N.C. Gray was transported to a local hospital where he remains in stable condition. The Gray family appreciates your thoughts and prayers and asks that you respect their privacy at this time. Gray, who currently drives in the ARCA Menards Series, is scheduled to make his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at Richmond (Va.) Raceway on Saturday, April 17. Gray’s participation in the event will be determined at a later time. (In part from David Gilliand Racing PR) (04-08-21)
    UPDATE:     David Gilliland Racing driver Taylor Gray, underwent surgery earlier today at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. for a fractured L4 vertebra. Gray will also undergo another surgery in the coming days for a fractured left foot and ankle due to the accident. Gray is expected to make a full recovery. (In part from David Gilliand Racing PR) (04-08-21)
  • Greg Van Alst to race at Talladega Superspeedway: [Greg] Van Alst will make the second of several ARCA Menards Series starts in two and a half weeks at the famed 2.66-mile [Talladega] superspeedway. “I am very blessed to have a great 2021 racing season lined up,” added Van Alst. “It’s been pretty quiet since Daytona, but this is really the calm before the storm getting prepared for the summer and fall races. I think we proved a lot as a small-family-owned team at Daytona and look forward to that second chance at Talladega in a few weeks. But first, Anderson is on deck and we will put 100 percent effort into that and then get ready to get after it again.” Additional specifics on Greg Van Alst Motorsports’ 2021 ARCA Menards Series program is forthcoming, including a detailed series schedule. (In part from Greg Van Alst Motorsports PR) (04-08-21)
  • Dutch Boy Paints serve as the entitlement sponsor for spring Kansas race: The Sherwin-Williams Company, Kansas Speedway and the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) announced today that Dutch Boy Paints, a subsidiary of Sherwin-Williams, will serve as the entitlement sponsor for the spring ARCA Menards Series race event at Kansas Speedway. The Dutch Boy 150 is set to take place at the Kansas City, Kansas, track on Saturday, May 1 at 12:30 p.m. CT. “Dutch Boy Paints is a brand that brings people together, most notably through their passion for paint and do-it-yourself (DIY) projects,” said Michelle Bangs, brand manager for Dutch Boy Paints. “We are proud to stand with our exclusive retail partner, Menards and support ARCA, while extending this same sense of community to racing fans and their love of ‘America’s Sport.'” (In part from ARCARacing.com) (04-05-21)