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Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) news and information

  • The Tradition Continues: ARCA Menards Series Returns to Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday, April 24, 2021 for Historic 59th Time

    The Tradition Continues: ARCA Menards Series Returns to Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday, April 24, 2021 for Historic 59th Time

    Event Will be Part of an Anticipated Doubleheader with the NASCAR Xfinity Series the Day before the NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500

    TALLADEGA, Ala (Nov. 25, 2020) – ARCA and Talladega Superspeedway announced today that for the 59th time in series history, the ARCA Menards Series will compete at the biggest and baddest track on the planet – Talladega Superspeedway – on Saturday, April 24.

    The event will be a part of a Saturday doubleheader with the NASCAR Xfinity Series and will take place the day before the Sunday, April 25, GEICO 500 where Ryan Blaney will seek to defend his victory earlier this year. Kids 12 and younger will be admitted free to Saturday’s ARCA Menards Series & NASCAR Xfinity Series races.

    The ARCA Menards Series first competed at the 2.66-mile venue during the track’s inception year of 1969 in the Vulcan 500 where Jim Vandiver took the checkered flag. Except for a four-year stretch (1971-74), the ARCA Menards Series has been a staple at the iconic track. Drew Dollar became the 18th driver to earn his first victory in the ARCA Menards Series event on Talladega’s 33-degree banking this past summer while 2020 Series Champion Bret Holmes, from nearby Munford, AL, had his best finish at his home track with a third-place result.

    Justin Haley, a former ARCA winner at Talladega, swept both of the Talladega Xfinity Series races held this past season, cementing his place in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs. He wound up being a playoff contender for the title in the Championship four. NASCAR Hall of Famers Red Farmer, Davey Allison and Mark Martin won ARCA Menards Series races at Talladega while noted current motorsports competitors Ty Dillon, Justin Allgaier and Michael Annett have also gone to Gatorade Victory Lane at the world’s Most Competitive venue.

    Fans wishing to attend the GEICO 500 are urged to secure their tickets early which will provide economic savings with a host of advance-priced opportunities (for a limited time) for both grandstand seating and camping options. Multi-day grandstand seating packages start at just $60 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and younger. Fans can get information on how to claim their reserved spots by calling 877-462-3343 (Go2-DEGA) or visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com.

    For the latest news and 2021 schedule information for the ARCA Menards Series, log onto www.ARCARacing.com. Start times and television networks for the NASCAR Cup, NASCAR Xfinity, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series will be announced at a later date.

    Fans can keep up with all the happenings at the biggest, baddest race track on the planet by following Talladega Superspeedway on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

    About Talladega Superspeedway
    Talladega Superspeedway – which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year – is the most competitive race track on the NASCAR schedule (record 88 lead changes in 188 laps), the highest-banked (33 degrees) and the longest (2.66 miles), as well as the most fun and fan-friendly. Three- and four-wide racing at 200 mph are a norm at Talladega Superspeedway, along with nail-biting, photo finishes. For information, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.

    About NASCAR

    The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR consists of three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series™), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour), one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, Americrown Service and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

  • Sonoma Raceway and The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Confirm 2021 ARCA Menards Series West Dates

    Sonoma Raceway and The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Confirm 2021 ARCA Menards Series West Dates

    The first two ARCA Menards Series West dates have officially been added to the 2021 schedule.

    Races at Sonoma Raceway and The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway have been confirmed, with the Sonoma date set for Saturday, June 5 and the race at The Bullring slated for Thursday, September 23. Both races will be held in conjunction with NASCAR Cup Series races.

    Noah Gragson won the last time the ARCA Menards West raced at Sonoma Raceway in 2019. The 2020 race was moved to The Bullring at LVMS due to the pandemic. Gracie Trotter became the second female to win a West race, and the first female to win in the ARCA Menards Series platform, with her victory in that race last September.

    The races at Sonoma and The Bullring are the first of what is expected to be an eight-race schedule for the West Series. It will be the second season the series, which dates back to 1954, will be a part of the ARCA Menards Series platform.

    Ticket information for both races can be found at SonomaRaceway.com and LVMS.com. For news updates on the ARCA Menards Series, log on to ARCARacing.com.

  • ARCA Menards Series 2021 Season Opens with a Busy Month of February in Florida

    ARCA Menards Series 2021 Season Opens with a Busy Month of February in Florida

    The 2021 ARCA Menards Series season will open with a busy month of racing in Florida in February as a trio of races are scheduled across the Sunshine State.

    The ARCA Menards Series East season will kick off on Monday, February 8 at New Smyrna Speedway with a 175-lap feature event that will headline that night’s World Series of Asphalt Racing activities. The race will be streamed live on TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold.

    The action moves a half an hour to the northeast on Saturday, February 13 when the ARCA Menards Series begins its 69th season with the Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire at Daytona International Speedway. It will be the first time in the series’ 58-year history at Daytona that the race will take place the day before the DAYTONA 500, sharing the stage in a same-day doubleheader with the NASCAR XFINITY Series. The race will be televised live on FS1.

    Both races are part of an unprecedented week of action that will give race fans seven consecutive days of ARCA and NASCAR activity. Starting with the Monday (Feb. 8) ARCA Menards East race at New Smyrna, the attention then turns to Daytona with the first running of the Busch Clash on the track’s infield road course on Tuesday night.

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    DAYTONA 500 pole qualifying is scheduled for Wednesday with the Duel 150s to set the DAYTONA 500 starting line-up on Thursday. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts its season on Friday, with the Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire and the NASCAR XFINITY Series season opener set for Saturday doubleheader. The action culminates with the 63rd annual DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, February 14.

    The ARCA Menards Series East will close the month with a 200-lapper at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola on Saturday, February 27. That race will also be streamed live on TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold.

    The annual ARCA Menards Series annual pre-season test at Daytona International Speedway is set for Friday and Saturday, January 15-16, with Sunday, January 17 reserved as the rain date.

    Tickets are on sale for all three ARCA races. Fans interested in attending can access ticket information and COVID-19 protocols for the ARCA Menards Series East race at New Smyrna at NewSmyrnaSpeedway.com. Ticket information and COVID-19 protocols for all events at Daytona can be found at DaytonaInternationalSpeedway.com. Ticket information and COVID-19 protocols for the ARCA Menards Series East race at Five Flags Speedway can be found at FiveFlagsSpeedway.com and TrackEnterprises.com.

  • First Time Ever: Daytona International Speedway’s Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire ARCA Menards Series Race Part of a Saturday Doubleheader, Feb. 13, 2021

    First Time Ever: Daytona International Speedway’s Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire ARCA Menards Series Race Part of a Saturday Doubleheader, Feb. 13, 2021

    • Part of DAYTONA Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth, Event to Share Stage with
    • NASCAR Racing Experience 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series Race day Before 63rd Annual DAYTONA 500

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 18, 2020) – ARCA and Daytona International Speedway officially announced today, that for the first time in history, the 2021 Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire – the season-opener for the ARCA Menards Series – would be held the day before the DAYTONA 500 on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021.

    The Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire will also share the stage with the NASCAR Racing Experience 300, the  NASCAR Xfinity Series season opener, for a Saturday doubleheader. The ARCA Menards Series has been a staple in February at the 2.5-mile venue since 1964 when Nelson Stacy took the checkered flag. Over the years, winners of the event have included noted names such as Kyle Petty, Tim Richmond, Ryan Newman, Kyle Busch and Harrison Burton. Just a year ago, Michael Self held off Hailie Deegan by just .125 second a year ago to win the Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire.

    The annual ARCA Menards Series pre-season test at Daytona International Speedway will he be held on Friday and Saturday, January 15-16.

    Both the Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire and NASCAR Racing Experience 300 are a part of DAYTONA Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth. The races will be held the day before the 63rd Annual DAYTONA 500, on Sunday, Feb. 14, President’s Day Weekend. It will mark the 40th straight time (dating back to 1982) The Great American Race has started off NASCAR’s Cup Series season. Denny Hamlin can rewrite history and become the first driver to capture three consecutive checkered flags in the DAYTONA 500.

    Tickets for the Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire, the NASCAR Racing Experience 300, the DAYTONA 500 and all events that are part of DAYTONA Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth can be purchased online at www.daytona500.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. Fans also have the opportunity to purchase tickets and multi-day packages with a “fresh look” DAYTONA Speedweeks Presented by Advent Health that includes:

    ·       Tuesday, Feb. 9: 43rd Annual Busch Clash At DAYTONA (DAYTONA Road Course under the lights)

    ·       Wednesday, Feb. 10: DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Presented By Kroger

    ·       Thursday, Feb. 11: Duel At DAYTONA qualifying races

    ·       Friday, Feb. 12: NextEra Energy 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race

    ·       Saturday, Feb. 13: NASCAR Racing Experience 300 (NASCAR Xfinity Series) and Lucas Oil 200 Driven By General Tire (ARCA Menards) doubleheader

    ·       Sunday, Feb. 14: DAYTONA 500, The Great American Race

    Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook Instagram for the latest Speedway news throughout the season.

    About Daytona International Speedway
    Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of “The Great American Race” – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the “World Center of Racing,” boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. In addition to at least nine major event weekends, the Speedway grounds are also used extensively for events that include concerts, civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training.

    About ARCA

    The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum in Toledo, Ohio and acquired by NASCAR in April 2018, is the leading grassroots stock car sanctioning body in the United States. Bridging the gap between NASCAR’s top three national touring series and weekly racing all across the country, the organization is scheduled to administer more than 100 events in multiple racing series in 2020, including the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, the ARCA/CRA Super Series, and the ARCA Midwest Tour, plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways.  For more information about ARCA visit www.arcaracing.com, or follow ARCA on Facebook (@ARCARacing) and Twitter (@ARCA_Racing).

  • David Gilliland Snaps winless streak, Jesse Love Jr. collects 2020 ARCA Menards Series West Championship

    David Gilliland Snaps winless streak, Jesse Love Jr. collects 2020 ARCA Menards Series West Championship

    On the final race day of the year for the 2020 ARCA Menards Series West, just 100 laps separated championship contenders Blaine Perkins and Jesse Love Jr. for the title. There were multiple championship scenarios in play, but the end goal was simple. Love Jr. had to finish eighth or better than Perkins, no matter what Perkins did.

    Love Jr. prevailed as the Bill McAnally Racing driver had already collected the ARCA West title with 30 laps to go.

    Perkins, in the No. 9 Ford was, out of the race early due to engine issues that relegated him to a 25th place outing and ultimately giving Love Jr. the title for the first time in his career. The title was a huge accomplishment for the 15-year-old Californian as he replaced Hailie Deegan’s old No. 19 ride coming into the 2020 season.

    “I just knew when the race started I had to control everything I could control,” said Love. “Kind of put my pride aside and just try to race the nine car and not put myself in any situations. If I could find a gap, I would drive forward to get to that gap, or I would just back off to get to that gap so I could just be by myself and not have to get in any dog fights or anything like that.

    “Had to be smart about it. It was killing me. I wish I could have been more aggressive, been able to race really hard. But one of those deals, but obviously it’s cool. Paid off in a championship.”

    Despite there being a championship on the line, a race winner was also to be decided. David Gilliland, the 44-year-old team owner of DGR-Crosley earned his first checkered flag since 2012 at Sonoma in what was then called the 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series.

    Gilliland qualified on the pole with a time of 27.452 seconds and 131.138 mph to set his No. 4 Ford on the front row.

    The race wasn’t all that easy for the former Cup Series driver, as three cautions occurred during the first 12 laps. Gilliland kept himself in contention by staying up front but unfortunate circumstances came at the Lap 54 restart following the halfway break. The Riverside, California native was penalized for a restart violation, changing lanes too soon by diving to the bottom of the track. Gilliland had to serve a pass-through penalty and was mired deep in the 27-car field.

    Meanwhile, Ty Gibbs in the No. 18 Monster Energy Toyota, was dominating the race but things began to go south with cautions late in the race. The opportunity for Gilliland came with nine laps to go when race leader Gibbs slid up the track and was slightly into the Turn 1 wall. Gilliland’s car was like a rocket and it didn’t take him long to grab the top spot with his son Todd and competitor Sam Mayer, following in suit. However, Gilliland had to wait one more time due to a caution coming out for Mayer when the GMS driver suffered a left-rear flat after contact with Todd.

    The final restart came with three to go, and surprisingly, after the contact a few laps earlier, Ty Gibbs was back on the front row with Gilliland. Fortunately for (David) Gilliland, he was able to keep Gibbs at a distance and win for the fifth time in his West Series career, the first checkered flag for him under the ARCA Series banner.

    “It’s always fun racing with Todd, and to be able to race with your son is actually a dream come true for me,” said Gilliland. “[It] tops anything. Tops sitting here in victory lane and winning, winning as an owner or a championship — it tops everything, racing with him.

    “And to be able to do that today was very special.”

    There were seven cautions for 29 laps, and six lead changes among two different leaders.

    The 2020 ARCA West Series champion, Jesse Love Jr., ends the season with three West Series victories, nine top fives and 10 top-10 finishes along with four poles. The other two victories for Love Jr. came at Irwindale and Utah Motorsports Campus.

    Official Results following the Arizona Lottery 100 at Phoenix International Raceway.

    1. David Gilliland
    2. Ty Gibbs
    3. Taylor Gray
    4. Todd Gilliland
    5. Drew Dollar
    6. Justin Lofton
    7. Trevor Huddleston
    8. Corey Heim
    9. Gracie Trotter
    10. Keith Rocco
    11. Howie DiSavino III
    12. Joey Iest
    13. Alex Sedgwick, 1 lap down
    14. Jesse Love, 2020 ARCA West Series Champion, 1 lap down
    15. Chris Hacker, 2 laps down
    16. Devin Dodson, 2 laps down
    17. Todd Souza, 3 laps down
    18. Kris Wright, 4 laps down
    19. Cody Erickson, 5 laps down
    20. Bobby Hillis Jr, 5 laps down
    21. Sam Mayer, OUT, Crash
    22. Bridget Burgess, 9 laps down
    23. Tauma Koga, 22 laps down
    24. Jack Wood, OUT, Crash
    25. Blaine Perkins, OUT, Engine
    26. Zane Smith, OUT, Crash
    27. Gio Scelzi, OUT, Crash

    Up Next: The 2020 ARCA Menards West Series season is now complete. Next for the series is the end of the year award banquet for the ARCA brand, which is currently slated for Tuesday night on Nov. 17. The event can be seen live on arcaracing.com and the ARCA Racing’s Facebook page.

  • Jesse Love earns first ARCA Menards Series West Championship with Toyota

    Jesse Love earns first ARCA Menards Series West Championship with Toyota

    AVONDALE, Ariz. (November 7, 2020) – Camry driver Jesse Love earned his first career ARCA Menards Series West Championship with a 14th-place finish at Phoenix Raceway on Saturday afternoon after completing an impressive rookie season. The championship marks the fourth ARCA West title for a Toyota driver in the past five seasons.

    The 15-year-old California native has been incredibly consistent in his debut season. He scored his first victory in his second series start on the road course at Utah Motorsports Campus and has since added wins at Irwindale Speedway and Colorado National Speedway. Love has earned four pole awards, nine top-five and 10 top-10 finishes in 11 starts.

    “It has been thrilling to cheer on Jesse this season and we are very pleased with all that he has achieved at such a young age,” said Paul Doleshal, Group Manager, Motorsports and Assets, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA). “Jesse has driven to incredible success and we cannot wait to see how he continues to grow as part of the Toyota Racing Driver Development program.”

    Love drives the No. 19 Toyota Camry for longtime Toyota team, Bill McAnally Racing (BMR), which scored their 100th victory earlier this season. Love is the fifth driver to win the ARCA West title with BMR and Toyota with a list that includes Eric Holmes (2008 and 2010), Chris Eggleston (2015), Todd Gilliland (2016 and 2017) and current Toyota Truck Series driver Derek Kraus (2019).

    About Toyota

    Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 40 million cars and trucks in North America, where we have 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama (10 in the U.S.), and directly employ more than 47,000 people (over 36,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold nearly 2.8 million cars and trucks (nearly 2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2019.

    Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

  • Kris Wright to wrap up 2020 season at Phoenix International Raceway

    Kris Wright to wrap up 2020 season at Phoenix International Raceway

    AVONDALE, Ariz.: Still riding the momentum of his career-best ARCA Menards Series finish last month at Kansas Speedway, newcomer Kris Wright and Chad Bryant Racing (CBR) head to Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway eyeing a top-five finish in Saturday’s Arizona Lottery 100.

    Wright has spent the 2020 season adjusting to stock cars after an impressive career in sports cars and while the adjustment has proven to be challenging at times, the recent performances including back-to-back top-10 finishes at Memphis (Tenn.) International Raceway and Kansas have the ARCA rookie optimistic about tackling Phoenix’s 1.0-mile track.

    “I’m really excited about going to Phoenix this weekend,” said Wright. “It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve been in an ARCA car, but it’s only been a few weeks.

    “We’ve made some really good gains over the summer and fall and I’m looking forward to closing out the year with another strong finish with the Chad Bryant Racing team.”

    In addition to ARCA and a start in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, Wright has also been competing in select Late Model races. The influx of knowledge the Wexford, Pa. native has consumed has proven so beneficial.

    Expected to compete in one of his most competitive races of the season, Wright is thankful for the experience and hopes it will prove to be valuable when the green flag drops in the ARCA Menards Series West season finale.

    “I’ve learned a lot this year despite the hurdles with COVID-19 and all,” Wright added. “Whether it be NASCAR or ARCA or whatever I’ve raced, everything helps. Everyone on this Chad Bryant Racing team has been patient with me but also given me the motivation and confidence to go out there and race hard.

    “That’s what we are going to do this weekend. Go to Phoenix and race hard and see what we can come up with.”

    Even though Wright, 26, has never seen Phoenix before, he’ll have time to get adjusted with an hour of group practice and qualifying on Saturday morning shortly before the race.

    “It certainly is going to be helpful to have that track time before the race,” sounded Wright.

    “The lack of practice and even qualifying definitely can make the race weekend tricky, but at least with practice, we’ll have an opportunity to set a good baseline and have a starting point for the race.

    “Once the green flag drops, it’s not about holding anything back but rather just going out there and getting the best finish possible, so everyone leaves Phoenix content and satisfied.”

    PPG, Mastertech, iHeart Radio and First National Bank will all support Wright’s efforts on Nov. 7 at Phoenix.

    Industry veteran and former NASCAR Cup Series crew chief Paul Andrews will call the shots on Saturday for Wright.

    For more on Kris Wright, please visit, kriswrightmotorsports.com, like him on Facebook (Kris Wright Racing) and follow him on Twitter (@kriswrightraces).

    For more on Chad Bryant Racing, please visit ChadBryantRacing.com, like them on Facebook (Chad Bryant Racing) or follow them on Twitter (@ChadBryantRace).

    The Arizona Lottery 100 (100 laps | 100 miles) is the 11th of 11th races on the 2020 ARCA Menards Series West schedule. Group Practice begins Sat., Nov. 7, 2020, with a one-hour practice session from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. The race is set to take the green flag shortly after 12:00 p.m., televised live on NBC Sports’ TrackPass. ARCARacing.com will also stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire day’s festivities. All times are local (Mountain).

  • ARCA Menards Series West Advance: Phoenix Raceway

    ARCA Menards Series West Advance: Phoenix Raceway

    Track: Phoenix Raceway, one-mile oval
    Event: Arizona Lottery 100 (100 miles, 100 laps)

    Schedule:
    Saturday, Nov. 7
    11:30 a.m……………Practice/Qualifying
    2:00 p.m…………Race (Trackpass on NBC Gold)
    (all times ET)

    Taylor Gray, No. 17 Ford Performance Fusion

    Coming off his first career ARCA Menards Series West victory at Kern County Raceway Park in California two weeks ago, Taylor Gray is ready to get back to work at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway this Saturday to go for his second win in the series in the No. 17 Ford Performance Fusion. This will be his first start at the one-mile oval, but he is used to racing at new tracks this season and it has not slowed him down yet.

    This will be Gray’s fifth ARCA West start this season with one win, two top-five, three top-10 finishes and one pole. In addition to those, he has also made 12 ARCA Menards Series starts with eight top-five and 11 top-10 finishes. He has also run five ARCA East races earning two top-five and five top-10 finishes.

    Gray has a new crew chief calling the shots at Phoenix. Former NASCAR Cup Series crew chief Chad Johnston joined DGR-Crosley to work with Gray. Johnston has seven wins, 64 top-five, 124 top-10 finishes and 10 poles in the Cup Series as a crew chief.. His experience and knowledge will be a great asset for the 15-year-old rookie.

    The Arizona Lottery 100 will stream live on Trackpass on NBC Gold at 2pm ET on Saturday. The race will be 100 laps (100 miles) with a race break at lap 50.
    
    Gray on Phoenix: “I think I’m going into Phoenix with a bit more confidence after winning at Kern a couple weeks ago. I’ll still have the same positive mindset as every race and try to keep the expectations realistic and see what it brings us.

    “I’ll have David and Todd (Gilliland) as teammates at Phoenix. David and I were teammates once this year at Dover in the ARCA East race and he beat me. It will help that Todd is running the truck race the night before, so maybe I can lean on him for a few tips of what worked for him. I’m going to treat it like a normal race and race them just like any other competitor. Having their feedback during and after practice will be helpful, but during the race even teammates are competitors in the final laps.”
    Todd Gilliland, No. 54 Frontline Enterprises Ford Fusion

    Todd Gilliland will pull double duty this weekend in Phoenix racing his No. 38 Frontline Enterprises Ford F-150 Friday night in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series season finale, and then he’ll hit the track again Saturday for his first ARCA Menards Series West race of the season. He will drive the No. 54 Frontline Enterprises Ford Fusion in the 100-lap ARCA West event.

    Gilliland won at Phoenix in his very first start there in 2015 in the former K&N West Series (now ARCA West). This will be his first West race since 2017 when he won the series championship, which he won in 2016 as well. In 29 K&N West starts, Gilliland has 13 wins, 23 top-five, 27 top-10 finishes, 13 poles and two championships.

    Chris Lawson will be Gilliland’s crew chief for Saturday’s ARCA West race. He is also Gilliland’s crew chief for Front Row Motorsports in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series. Lawson and Gilliland had four K&N East wins together in 2017 and 12 K&N West victories from 2016-2017.

    The Arizona Lottery 100 will stream live on Trackpass on NBC Gold at 2pm ET on Saturday. The race will be 100 laps (100 miles) with a race break at lap 50.

    Todd Gilliland on Phoenix: “The last time I was there in one of these cars I won. It was my first ever K&N race and now to be going back in the ARCA West series is super cool. I’ll have the same number and sponsor I won with in 2015 so we’re hoping to repeat the results. This will be a fun race because at the end of the year after racing for points all season in the Truck Series with all the pressure, we can run this race and just go for the win.”

    David Gilliland, No. 4 Simpson/Lincoln Welders Ford Fusion

    David Gilliland, co-owner of DGR-Crosley, returns to the driver’s seat Saturday in Phoenix driving the No. 4 Simpson/Lincoln Welders Ford Fusion in the ARCA Menards Series West race. Gilliland last competed in the former K&N West (now ARCA West) Series last year at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Ill., where he finished third.

    Gilliland, a native of Riverside, Calif., has plenty of experience racing out west. In 49 K&N West starts, he has four wins, 21 top-five, 27 top-10 finishes, four poles and has led 484 laps. One of those wins came at Phoenix in 2005 when he started from the pole and led 15 of 151 laps driving for Mark Golembeski.

    He also competed in one ARCA East race this season at Dover (Del.) International Speedway in August where he started third and finished second, racing against his 15-year-old rookie driver, Taylor Gray. This Saturday in the West race, Gilliland will not only have Gray as a teammate, but his son, Todd Gilliland as well. The father-son pair last raced against each other last year in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series race at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway in the spring race.

    Derek Smith will call the shots for Gilliland from the pit box as crew chief at Phoenix. Smith worked with Thad Moffitt this season for his limited ARCA Menards Series schedule. He was also Gilliland’s crew chief for his second-place finish in the ARCA East race at Dover.

    The Arizona Lottery 100 will stream live on Trackpass on NBC Gold at 2pm ET on Saturday. The race will be 100 laps (100 miles) with a race break at lap 50.
    
    David Gilliland on Phoenix: “I’m looking forward to racing at Phoenix on Saturday. Being from California, I’ve done a lot of racing out west and it’s always fun to get back out there and compete. It’s also a great opportunity for me to drive our own equipment and get a feel for what we can do to improve in the off season to prepare for 2021.

    “It will be fun to race against Todd (Gilliland) and Taylor (Gray). Since Todd will have run the Truck Series race on Friday, he may be able to give us some pointers on what the track was like. I haven’t taught the guys everything I know, so hopefully I can still give them a run for their money Saturday.”

  • GMS Racing ARCA West Phoenix Preview

    GMS Racing ARCA West Phoenix Preview

    Sam Mayer, No. 21 A&A All The Way Chevrolet
    Phoenix Raceway ARCA West Stats
    – Starts: 1, Best start: 1, Best finish: 2

    2020 ARCA Menards Series West Stats
    – Starts: 1, Wins: 1, Best start: 1, Best finish: 1, Top 5s: 1, Laps led: 138

    Notes:

    – Sam Mayer’s No.21 Chevrolet will feature the A&A All the Way Foundation on Saturday at Phoenix. A&A All The Way Foundation is dedicated to making an impact in the lives of our nation’s youth through charitable giving and action. The foundation actively executes events that inspire, educate and promote unity and diversity across multiple communities.

    – Mayer started on pole and finished second in the 2019 ARCA West event at Phoenix Raceway. The 2020 ARCA East and ARCA Showdown champion also has one Gander Trucks start and one ARCA Menards Series start at the track.

    – Mayer’s most recent ARCA West race was the season opener at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway where he won from the pole and led 138 laps.

    – Mayer and the No. 21 team will compete with chassis No. 410 this weekend in Phoenix. Mayer earned a pair of top-five finishes with this chassis at Pocono and Kentucky earlier this season.

    Quote:

    “Last race of the year with GMS and I’m really excited for it because I know we can win this race. There are a lot of cars in the field this weekend and it’s going to be a fun one with how the restarts are at Phoenix. I can’t thank everyone enough for the hard work this year, and I’m ready to cap it off with a win!”

    ABOUT GMS RACING

    GMS Racing competes full-time in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series with drivers Brett Moffitt, Sheldon Creed, Tyler Ankrum and Zane Smith as well as part-time with David Gravel and Chase Purdy. The team also competes in the ARCA Racing Series with Sam Mayer. Since the team began in 2014 GMS Racing won the 2016 Gander Trucks Championship, the 2015 ARCA Racing Championship and the 2019 ARCA East championship. The organization has grown to occupy several buildings located in Statesville, N.C. The campus also includes operations for GMS Fabrication. More information can be found at https://gmsracing.net/.

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  • NASCAR Championship Four grids dominated by drivers with experience and success in ARCA Menards Series platform

    NASCAR Championship Four grids dominated by drivers with experience and success in ARCA Menards Series platform

    The ARCA Menards Series has evolved and developed into the preeminent driver development series in stock car racing. The bridge between local and regional racing and the professional leagues of stock car series nationally, the ARCA Menards Series platform has seen dozens of drivers participate as they made their way up the ladder.

    Of the 99 drivers that participated in the season openers at Daytona for the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR XFINITY Series, and NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, 86 of them had experience in the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, and/or ARCA Menards Series West. Thirty-seven of them have accumulated 132 total ARCA Menards Series wins and six championships, twenty-nine of them accumulated 93 total East wins and six championships, and twelve of them accumulated a total of 51 West victories and four championships.

    All twelve drivers competing for national series titles at Phoenix Raceway have ARCA experience, and ten of them have wins within the ARCA Menards Series platform.

    Chase Elliott made 12 ARCA Menards Series starts over three seasons, with one win (Pocono, 2013), six top-five, and eleven top-ten finishes. He also scored wins in what is now known as the ARCA Menards Series East (Iowa, 2012) and ARCA Menards Series West (Sonoma, 2016).

    Brad Keselowski made three ARCA Menards Series starts, two in 2004 and one in 2006 for three different owners. Keselowski didn’t fare well in any of the three starts, with a best finish of 17th at Michigan in his final appearance. Keselowski is the son of 1989 ARCA Menards Series champion Bob Keselowski, and won ARCA-sanctioned super late model races at Toledo Speedway before moving up the ranks to NASCAR Gander Truck Series competition.

    Joey Logano has four career ARCA Menards Series starts to his credit, and he’s won half of them (Rockingham, 2008, Pocono, 2009). His worst ARCA finish? Second, twice, at Talladega in 2008 and Daytona in 2009.

    Denny Hamlin made two ARCA Menards Series appearances, one in 2004 at Talladega and the other at Nashville in 2005. He finished third in his debut at Talladega.

    Chase Briscoe is the 2016 ARCA Menards Series champion. He won six times on his way to the championship, at Winchester, Iowa, Lucas Oil, Pocono, Chicagoland, and Kansas. He finished in the top five 14 times and had 18 top-10 finishes in 20 starts that season.

    Austin Cindric has eight ARCA Menards Series starts, with one win (Kentucky, 2017). He has led laps in seven of his eight career starts. He also has two career wins in two ARCA Menards Series East starts, on the road courses at Virginia International and Watkins Glen.

    Justin Haley began racing full-bodied stock cars in the Late Model Sportsman division at ARCA-sanctioned Toledo Speedway in 2013. He earned the first of seven top-five ARCA Menards Series finishes at the age of 15 in 2014. He has three series wins, at Springfield, Talladega, and Pocono. He is also the 2016 ARCA Menards Series East champion with two wins and 14 top-10 finishes in 14 starts.

    Justin Allgaier is the 2008 ARCA Menards Series champion, taking the series title with an impressive three-race win streak to close the season. He has eight total series wins in 86 starts.

    Grant Enfinger is the 2015 ARCA Menards Series champion. In 2014 and 2015, he opened the season with three consecutive wins. Enfinger has 16 total series wins in 95 appearances.

    Sheldon Creed is the 2018 ARCA Menards Series champion, with four wins and 18 top-10 finishes in 20 starts. He also has one career ARCA Menards Series West win, on the dirt at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

    Zane Smith is the 2018 ARCA Menards Series runner-up and Bounty Rookie of the Year. He finished the season with four wins and finished in the top ten in 13 of his 20 starts.

    Brett Moffitt has 10 career ARCA Menards Series East wins, and from 2009 through 2013 finished either second or third in the final series standings. He has 62 career starts, 34 top-five and 45 top-ten finishes.