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

July 2022

  • Chandler Smith wins at IRP: It was a battle of two Smiths on Friday night at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. When the checkered flag waved, it was Chandler Smith who bested Sammy Smith to earn his first ARCA Menards Series victory of the season during the Reese’s 200 at the 0.686-mile asphalt oval. The event was also part of the Sioux Chief Showdown schedule. The triumph also marked Chandler Smith’s third-straight ARCA Menards Series victory at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park dating back to 2019. “Track position was pretty big,” said Chandler Smith, who is also one of 10 Playoff drivers who will battle for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship starting Friday night at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. “You wouldn’t think short track racing (that) aero matters, but it really does. After you’ve done some mile-and-a-half races in Trucks you start coming back and picking up on this a little bit.” Sammy Smith started from the pole in the No. 18 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota and led the opening 88 laps, but Chandler Smith was able to wheel his No. 15 Venturini Motorsports Toyota to the lead during a restart on Lap 89. Once in front of the field, Chandler Smith would hold the lead for the remainder of the event despite pressure from Sammy Smith during multiple restarts and scraping the outside wall on the final lap in Turns 3 and 4. Full Results (In part from ARCARacing.com) (07-29-22)
  • Mandy Chick making ARCA debut with family owned team: Mandy Chick has a lot of reasons to be excited. The 20-year-old native of DeSoto, Kansas, is set to make her ARCA Menards Series debut this Friday evening in the Reese’s 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. She’ll do so aboard the No. 74 Toyota fielded by her family team that is led by her father, Steve Chick Jr. “I just can’t even put it into words. It’s so surreal,” Chick said about her impending ARCA debut. “I started racing when I was 6 years old, so about 14, almost 15 years ago. I’ve been working so hard to break into NASCAR, and so now we’re doing companion races with the Trucks and all of that. It’s so surreal to me and hasn’t quite hit yet, but I am so excited.” The Chick family is hardly new to motorsports. The elder Chick fielded a part-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series entry for three seasons from 2002-04 for drivers Aaron Daniels and Eric Jones. However, for the last 15 years, the focus has been on Mandy Chick, who has slowly been working her way toward her ARCA Menards Series debut this Friday. After racing Late Models for the last seven years, the Chick family decided it was time for Mandy Chick to take the next step and advance into the ARCA Menards Series this season. We’ve taken a long holding period on Late Models just to learn about the cars,” Chick said. “I personally have been able to learn about the cars and work on them hands on since I was 12 or 13, and that’s something I’m really passionate about.” The family evaluated their options for much of the year before ultimately deciding to purchase equipment from Visconti Motorsports to launch their own ARCA program. “We really got to the point where ARCA started becoming a feasible thing for us,” said Chick, who hasn’t raced anything since last October while her family searched for the right opportunity to enter ARCA competition. “We started looking this offseason and evaluating our program and that we really wanted to step up. We happened to be scrolling across Facebook and talking to some people who are in the NASCAR and ARCA worlds and came across John Visconti’s equipment as we were looking for ARCA cars.” (In part from ARCARacing.com) (07-28-22)
  • Rev Racing announces sponsorship for remainder of season & beyond: Rev Racing announced today a partnership agreement with Group 1001 and Gainbridge to be the primary sponsors for the remainder of the 2022 season and beyond. Group 1001, a financial services enterprise, is known for investing in strategic partnerships as part of its mission to transform communities through sports and education. Gainbridge, a Group 1001 company, and digital platform offering financial products is fully invested in racing as a vehicle for brand growth. Together they will support Rev Racing’s efforts to drive more diversity into the field of motorsports. “We are thrilled to enter into a partnership agreement with Gainbridge and Group 1001,” said Rev Racing owner Max Siegel. “They are best-in-class in their market and have continued to show commitment to creating cultural impact through their strategic partnership alignments.” Rev Racing, which is responsible for developing female and ethnically diverse drivers along with pit crew members for future competition at NASCAR’s highest levels, saw immediate alignment with Group 1001 and Gainbridge and their shared mission and focused-initiatives within the sport and beyond. “We’re excited to see Rev Racing continuing to elevate the program by establishing a strategic partnership with Group 1001 and Gainbridge,” said Brandon Thompson, NASCAR’s VP of Diversity & Inclusion. “NASCAR and Rev Racing are committed to developing female and ethnically diverse athletes in stock car racing. A mission that aligns with Group 1001’s promise to the advancement of communities through sports and education.” The Gainbridge brand will be debuted in the ARCA Menards Series schedule at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on the No. 2 Gainbridge Chevrolet of Nick Sanchez and the No. 6 Gainbridge Chevrolet of Rajah Caruth on July 29th. (In part from ARCARacing.com) (07-27-22)
  • Taylor Gray wins the General Tire Delivers 200 at Pocono: [Taylor Gray] was declared the winner of the General Tire Delivers 200 at Pocono Raceway on Friday when the race was called 16 laps early due to encroaching darkness. While Gray led more than half of the event, he lost a lap during the first of two schedule race breaks after a slow pit stop meant he didn’t beat the pace car off pit road. He would be forced to race his way back onto the lead lap. A timely caution for the stalled car of Parker Chase on Lap 46 allowed Gray to get back on the lead lap. Gray’s crew chief Chad Johnston wisely called his driver to pit road to top off with fuel during the caution period while the leaders stayed out. "All props to Chad Johnston for making a good call," Gray said. "Heck of a call by Chad being able to make it on fuel." Nick Sanchez was within a second of Gray in the final laps, but the caution for Love’s spin ended his hopes of scoring his third victory of the season. Brandon Jones crossed the finish line third, followed by Rajah Caruth in fourth and Daniel Dye in fifth. Connor Mosack, Jake Finch, Kris Wright, Jason Kitzmiller and Toni Breidinger completed the top-10 finishers. Full Results (In part from ARCARacing.com) (07-23-22)
  • Nick Sanchez fastest in ARCA test session at Pocono: #2 Nick Sanchez was fastest in Thursday's ARCA Menards Series open test session at Pocono Raceway. #18 Sammy Smith was second, while #6 Rajah Caruth, #20 Jesse Love, and #23 Connor Mosack completed the top five. A total of twenty-four drivers participated in the test session in preparation for Friday's General Tire Delivers 200. Full Results (07-22-22)
  • Dylan "Mamba" Smith to drive for Young's Motorsports at Lucas Oil: [Dylan “Mamba” Smith] is set to make his ARCA Menards Series debut in the Reese’s 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on July 29. Smith, a native of Haiti who grew up in Randolph, Vermont, under his adopted parents, will race at the 0.686-mile asphalt oval in Tyler Young’s Chevrolet with support from NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger. “I’m not trying to go Cup racing; that’s not what I expect to come from this,” Smith said with his infectious smile. “I want to enjoy the experience. I’m definitely looking forward to cracking open some beers with the guys after the race and just sitting on pit road for a minute and enjoying that.” (In part from ARCARacing.com) (07-22-22)
  • 28 cars entered for Pocono Raceway: Twenty-eight cars are entered for Friday's General Tire Delivers 200 at Pocono Raceway. Noteable entries include #02 Kris Wright, #06 Zachary Tinkle, #8 Sean Corr, #10 Jon Garrett, #15 Parker Chase, #23 Connor Mosack, #42 Christian Rose, #44 Ed Pompa, #55 Jake Finch, #57 Bryan Dauzat, #69 Scott Melton, #73 Andy Jankowiak, #81 Brandon Jones, and #97 Jason Kitzmiller. Full Entry List (07-21-22)
  • Christian Rose gets married; racing at Pocono for Cook Racing Technologies: Pocono will be the first race for [Christian] Rose as a husband as he and his girlfriend Brooke tied the knot in western North Carolina two weeks ago. "Life has been a journey of ups and downs," sounded Rose. "I had no idea when I moved to Charlotte to chase my dream the best thing to ever happen to me would be waiting on me. Brooke stole my heart on night one and I still get butterflies every time I see her. I’m a lucky guy." (In part from Christian Rose Racing PR) (07-21-22)
  • Kris Wright back with Young's Motorsports for Pocono: Young’s Motorsports welcomes back Kris Wright after competing for the team in the majority of the 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule. Friday evening’s General Tire Delivers 200 at Pocono Raceway is Wright’s ARCA Menards Series debut with the family-owned organization. “I am excited to return to my friends at Young’s Motorsports for Friday night’s ARCA Menards Series race" said Wright. "Without a doubt, the extra track time on Thursday and Friday will help with the bigger picture which is the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Saturday afternoon. I’m hoping we can have a successful race with the No. 02 Big Dog Energy Chevrolet SS.” (In part from Young's Motorsports PR) (07-21-22)
  • Con Nicolopoulos not racing at Pocono after Richmond withdraws: Con Nicolopoulos is no longer expected to race in the ARCA Menards Series event at Pocono Raceway this Friday, July 22, 2022. The ownership of Tim Richmond Racing has chosen to withdraw from the event, citing issues with the structural integrity of the Pocono car which they committed to provide for Con and his sponsors. Per mutual agreement with our partners, [Con Nicolopoulos Racing has] secured space aboard Brad Smith’s #48 Chevrolet for Mountain View Property Management and Track Dogs Racing. Quantum eSports has been refunded. “It was a total gut punch to learn that Tim Richmond Racing will not be able to supply a car as expected for Pocono" said Nicolopoulos. "I was extremely proud to have the opportunity to take a step forward in my racing career through the support of our partners, and it is a shame that the race did materialize to honor their commitments. While my disappointment is immense, I must extend thanks to my old friend Brad Smith for stepping in to fulfill our obligations to Ryan at Mountain View Property Management and Josh at Track Dogs Racing. I look forward to meeting them at the track and cultivating potential future partnerships with all three organizations." (In part from Con Nicolopoulos Racing PR) (07-21-22)
  • Taylor Gray wins the Dawn 150 at Mid Ohio: [Taylor] Gray moved Kris Wright out of the lead coming to two laps to go [and] coasted to his second ARCA victory. “First of all I want to say sorry to Kris,” Gray said. “I didn’t want to race him like that; I wanted to race him clean. He bobbled getting into [Turn] 12, and I took the bottom, and it’s just so slick down there I lost the front and doored him. But we got the win. That’s all that matters.” Gray led only the last two laps of what was a wild race at Mid-Ohio. The event began with rain falling all over the track, forcing teams to begin on wet tires. Wet conditions defined the first half of the race, as cars struggled to remain on track. John Hunter Nemechek dominated that portion of the race on wet tires after starting on the pole. Nemechek was in command after the mid-race break, too, until Sammy Smith tracked him down and took the lead with 14 laps to go. Nemechek, though, battled back to the top spot with 13 laps to go. That’s when the madness turned up a notch. During the race break Nick Sanchez had acquired slick tires designed for dry track conditions, a strategy call for Rev Racing that initially hurt the No. 2 Chevrolet’s speed. But as the track continued to dry, Sanchez’s tires gave him more and more of an advantage. That change in conditions culminated in Sanchez taking the lead with nine laps to go. But a caution with seven laps to go - and the mistake Sanchez’s team made during that caution - once again changed everything. Both Sanchez and his Rev Racing teammate Rajah Caruth pitted for fresh tires. The problem was both had already changed from wet to dry tires during the race break, and ARCA rules prohibit teams from changing slicks to more slicks. “At the end of the day, it’s my bad and my screw-up on it,” said Matt Bucher, Sanchez’s crew chief. Being one of the drivers whose team passed on slicks during the race break before taking them during the last caution, Gray was able to use his fresh rubber and solid track position to get the win. Full Results (In part from ARCARacing.com) (07-08-22)
  • John Hunter Nemechek joins Venturini for Mid Ohio: Venturini Motorsports announced today that John Hunter Nemechek will join VMS at Mid-Ohio on Friday, July 8. The 25-year-old from Mooresville, NC will pilot the No. 55 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry, with team owner and seasoned crew chief Billy Venturini atop the pit box. "Working with TRD opens the availability for us to work with some incredible young drivers," said Billy. "He’s more experienced than most of the drivers when I get them. It’s a privilege to have John Hunter be a part of Venturini Motorsports and hopefully we can bring home the win for Toyota." Nemechek, a Toyota Racing Development driver, currently competes full-time in the NCWTS for Kyle Busch Motorsports. Nemechek will be pulling double-duty at Mid-Ohio running the ARCA race on Friday, July 8 and the NCWTS race on Saturday, July 9th. "I’m looking forward to running Mid-Ohio this weekend with Toyota and Venturini Motorsports, with Mobil 1 on board,” said John Hunter. “Mid-Ohio is one of my favorite road courses to go to and being able to run two races there this weekend and get extra laps before the truck race is very valuable and a huge opportunity. Ready to go chase a couple checkered flags this weekend." (In part from Venturini Motorsports PR) (07-06-22)
  • Stanton Barrett returning to Fast Track Racing for Mid-Ohio: Fast Track Racing is pleased to announce the return of a familiar face to their team, Stanton Barrett. Carrying the colors of his family’s company, Stanton Barrett Family Wines, Barrett looks to improve upon the 6th place run from last year’s Dawn 150 with his friend and often time co-worker Andy Hillenburg. Barrett has enjoyed dual 30+ year careers as both a Hollywood Stuntman, and a Professional Racecar Driver. With over 200 film/tv credits and 250 starts across NASCAR’s divisions and IndyCar to his name, Stanton is an established and respected veteran of both industries. Stanton will make his first start in the #11 car this weekend at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, and if his schedule allows, would like to return to the car at Watkins Glen International. (In part from Fast Track Racing PR) (07-06-22)
  • Con Nicolopoulos joins Tim Richmond Racing for Pocono: Con Nicolopoulos Racing is pleased to announce a partnership with Tim Richmond Racing to compete in the ARCA Menards Series General Tire Delivers 200 at Pocono Raceway on Friday, July 22, 2022. Con will make his seventh career Pocono start behind the wheel of the No. 27 Tim Richmond Racing Toyota sponsored by Mountain View Property Management, Track Dogs Racing, and Quantum eSports. “I’m thrilled to have the chance to partner with the Richmond family and our amazing sponsors to race in the ARCA Menards Series at Pocono this July" said Nicolopoulos. "What began as a favor between friends to run just a few laps for points reasons has now evolved into one of the most exciting opportunities of my career. This would not have been possible without the support of my sponsors Mountain View Property Management, Track Dogs Racing, and Quantum eSports who came on board to back a full race effort. Thank you to Dave, Tim, Spencer, Darrell, Ryan, Josh, and David for making this race possible for me.” (In part from Con Nicolopoulos Racing PR) (07-02-22)