Category: ARCA

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2023) – Daytona International Speedway and ARCA today announced that the season-opening Hard Rock Bet 200 at Daytona International Speedway will shift to Friday evening at approximately 10:30 p.m. ET due to forecasted inclement weather during Saturday’s original start time of 1:30 p.m. ET.

The race will follow the conclusion of the scheduled Fresh From Florida 250 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race, which begins at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The ARCA Menards Series race will start on FS2 and move to FS1 following the conclusion of college basketball, with radio broadcasts on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Viewers who subscribe to FS1 may also watch the race on the FOX Sports App in its entirety. The event will also re-air on FS1 during its original Saturday time slot.

Fans with Saturday grandstand tickets and admission to the Hard Rock Bet Fanzone may attend the Friday night double-header with their tickets.

For tickets to today’s festivities, visit DaytonaInternationalSpeedway.com.

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. Some of the exciting racing events include January’s Rolex 24 At DAYTONA and Roar Before The Rolex 24, February’s DAYTONA 500 and Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth, March’s Bike Week At DAYTONA Presented By Monster Energy, featuring DAYTONA Supercross and the DAYTONA 200, the August Coke Zero Sugar 400 weekend, and much more. The Speedway grounds are also used extensively for other events that include concerts (Welcome to Rockville, Heroes Honor Festival, etc.), sporting events (DAYTONA Soccer Fest, CLASH DAYTONA, etc.) 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 administers more than 100 events annually, including the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, 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). 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla: Gil Linster was determined. And the determination paid off.

After participating in the open ARCA Menards Series preseason test at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway last month with Kimmel Racing, Linster was focused on acquiring the necessary funding after receiving his superspeedway ARCA license to participate in Saturday afternoon’s season-opening Hard Rock Bet 200.

While making nearly the 20-hour trip home back to Luxembourg, Linster spent most of the plane ride strategizing his plan to attract the marketing dollars to make the most significant start of his racing career.

Less than two weeks later, Linster reached an agreement with a local marketing partner poised to expand to the United States. Linster, 30, is ready for Saturday’s 80-lap showdown.

“For me, Daytona was like what you see in the movies; it’s a big dream,” said Linster. “You hear about NASCAR. You want to be at Daytona. You want to race at Daytona – especially the Daytona 500. The first time I was here, I got the chance to visit Daytona. I was super lucky to have the opportunity to race at New Smyrna, which was the same week as the Daytona 500. I was smiling and feeling OK, and then some of the Cup guys came down there to watch the races, and I felt super close.

“Then, when I showed up (to watch the 500), it was like, ‘No way. It’s a huge track. It’s crazy.’ And then also the show. It was my first time to see the flyover, and I was like, ‘No way. No way.’ The whole atmosphere was just ‘wow.’ Even a week later, I was still asking myself if it was real.

“Now, I’m returning to race at Daytona, which is a dream come true. I can’t even begin to describe what it means. I’m thankful to Hoosh.com, Kimmel Racing, and my supporters for the opportunity. It’s a dream come true, and I plan to soak it all in.”

Linster, who competes full-time in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Elite 2 division for Hendrix Motorsports, is keeping his expectations realistic for this weekend’s race but is determined to earn the respect, confidence, and trust of his competitors.

“I know I am the new guy with the yellow rookie stripe, but I feel with my Kimmel Racing team and their successes for speed on the bigger superspeedway track, we can be competitive this weekend,” added Linster.

“I realize I am still learning, but I have surrounded myself with good people to help that learning curve. I want to come out, be competitive, and have a good finish so I can keep returning to Daytona for years to come.”

It’s not just about Daytona for Linster. While already set for a championship run in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Elite 2 division this season, Linster – who speaks five languages fluently is already working on expanding his presence in the ARCA Menards Series this season with other starts at tracks big and small.

“It’s not just about Daytona; it’s about the bigger picture,” which includes more ARCA races this season,” explained Linster.

“I also want to be racing full-time in the ARCA Menards Series in 2025. That would be a huge dream, which I am focusing on. I know we will have a good season in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, but I want to make that next huge leap and race full-time in the United States next season.

“I know it’s not going to be easy, and I do not expect it to be, but with a lot of hard work, determination, and surrounding myself with positive people, I can achieve my goals.

As for his goal on Saturday afternoon, finishing the race is a top priority; a top-10 finish would feel like a win.

“From what I understand, this is one of the biggest ARCA fields at Daytona in a long time,” said Linster. “This is good for me as far as a learning experience, but I have to qualify for the race, and from there, we can set our strategy for the race.

“I just want to learn and work with my teammate Scott (Melton) and see if we can put ourselves in a good position near the end of the race to have a satisfying finish. A top-10 would feel like a win and give us some momentum to put more ARCA races together for the 2024 season.”

HOOSH and HOOSH.com will serve as the primary marketing partner for Linster’s premier ARCA Menards Series debut.

As the fastest-growing vape company in Europe and the Emirates, HOOSH is poised to enter the American market with their 0% nicotine vapes and is a proud partner of Gil Linster as the first European driver to make his ARCA Menards Series debut at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on February 17, 2024, with Kimmel Racing.

HOOSH: Avant-garde vape products are made for “Strictly Made for Generation Cool.”

In final ARCA practice, Linster maneuvered the 24th fastest of the 49 entries that took time.

For more on Gil Linster, please like him on Facebook (Gil Linster Official), and follow him on Instagram (@gillinster) and X | Twitter (@gillinster).

The Hard Rock Bet 200 (80 laps | 200 miles) is the first of 20 races on the 2024 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Group qualifying is set for Fri., Feb. 16, at 1:30 p.m. The season-opener for the 72nd consecutive ARCA season is set for the following afternoon on Feb. 17 to take the green flag shortly after 1:30 p.m. The event will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM Satellite Radio (XM channel 391 | online channel 981) handling the radio waves. ARCARacing.com will also stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire weekend festivities.

AM Racing | ARCA Menards Series
Daytona International Speedway | Hard Rock Bet 200

Fast Facts
No. 32 AM Racing Team:
Driver: Christian Rose
Primary Partner(s): Department of West Virginia Tourism | Secure Testing Services
Manufacturer: Ford Mustang
Crew Chief: Ryan “Pickle” London
Spotter: Trevor Monn
Chassis Intel: AMR Chassis No. A613
Engine: Ilmor Racing Technologies

Notes of Interest:

Welcome Back: AM Racing returns to the ARCA Menards Series full-time in 2024 with sophomore Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) driver Christian Rose behind the wheel of the team’s No. 32 Ford Mustang.

The 2024 ARCA Menards Series will mark the first time that AM Racing has competed back-to-back full-time in the NASCAR-owned development series since two-time ARCA Menards Series winner drove for the organization during the 2017 – 2018 seasons respectively.

Meet Christian Rose: Rose, a former Division 1 baseball player for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore has traded the glove and bat in for a steering wheel and helmet and has set achievable goals for his second full season of stock car competition aboard the team’s flagship No. 32 Ford Mustang.

Rose returns to the Statesville, N.C.-based team on the heels of his inaugural rookie ARCA schedule in 2023, which was highlighted by two top-five, 13 top-10 finishes, and the most laps completed by any ARCA driver last season at 2,550 of 2,624 laps or 97.2% throughout the 20-race season.

His strength of two top-five and five top-10 finishes in the final five races of the season vaulted Rose to third overall in the championship standings behind series champion Jesse Love and Andrés Pérez de Lara.

The 28-year-old also made two starts in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, respectively, with starts at Richmond (Va.) Raceway and the season-finale at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway.

He’s Back Too!: To help steer Christian Rose and the AM Racing team towards a championship in 2024, Ryan “Pickle” London will return to serve as crew chief of the No. 32 Ford Mustang this season.

London, a long-time NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series crew chief returned to AM Racing in early 2023 after spending the 2020 season with the team’s Truck Series program as the truck chief.

London has plenty of experience as a leader in the ARCA Menards Series, including guiding drivers Tom Hessert and Frank Kimmel to poles and leading Grant Enfinger to victories at Berlin (Mich.) Raceway and DuQuoin (Ill.) State Fairgrounds in 2014.

In addition to the two wins as crew chief, the winning NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series crew chief has numerous ARCA top-fives and top-10 efforts to his credit.

Partner Support: The Department of West Virginia Tourism will serve as the primary marketing partner

on Rose’s No. 32 Ford Mustang in Saturday afternoon’s Daytona ARCA 200.

The Department of West Virginia Tourism promotes West Virginia as a leading four-season travel destination and top state to live, work and retire.

Known as the Mountain State, West Virginia is one of the most scenic states in the United States and home to thousands of acres of parks and public lands, including America’s newest national park and 45 state parks and forests.

In addition to its majestic mountains and rolling hills, West Virginia is full of rich historic sites, enchanting art galleries, charming towns and an immense sense of belonging found only in its heaven-like landscapes.

Secured Partnership: In addition to the Department of West Virginia Tourism, Secure Testing Services (STS) will serve as a major associate marketing partner for the first of 20 races on the 2024 ARCA Menards Series tour.

Secure Testing Services (STS) is a nationwide leader in on-site drug testing located in Richmond, Virginia, and serves clients across the US.

STS helps organizations save time and money implementing their drug testing programs by providing nationwide on-site testing. By partnering with STS, companies can eliminate costly wait times at labs and have their employees back to work quicker, thus increasing efficiency and providing total cost savings.

As a partner with most major TPAs, they make the process simple. When you want to work with the best, call STS!

Testing, Testing 1.2.3.: In January, Rose and AM Racing kicked off their season by partaking in the annual ARCA Menards Series preseason test at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

The team spent Friday and Saturday focusing on comfort and maneuverability along with speed. Overall, the team registered the 14th quickest lap out of 76 participants at the “World Center of Racing.”

Christian Rose ARCA Daytona International Speedway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s Daytona ARCA 200 will mark Rose’s third start at the 2.5-mile superspeedway.

In his previous two efforts, the Martinsburg, WV native has a best track finish of 12th after starting 13th during the 2023 edition of the BRANDT 200 Supporting Florida FFA.

Rose also led two laps during the 80-lap contest under green flag conditions.

Christian Rose Career ARCA National Series Stats: In 28 career ARCA National Series starts, Rose has earned two top-five and 14 top-10 finishes highlighted by a career-best third-place finish achieved at Salem (Ind.) Speedway in September 2023. Additionally, Rose has showcased 19 top-20 finishes overall since 2022.

AM Minute: It’s a busy weekend for AM Racing. In addition to the ARCA Menards Series, both AM Racing’s NASCAR Xfinity Series and Dirt Division teams are in action.

At Daytona, Hailie Deegan will make her AM Racing debut aboard the No. 15 Ford Mustang in Saturday afternoon’s United Rentals 300, immediately following the Daytona ARCA 200.

The AM Racing Dirt Division is continuing a busy month of February competing in various Dirt Late Model shows throughout the Sunshine State with mainstay driver Austin Wayne Self.

Double Duty: In addition to his responsibilities with the No. 32 West Virginia Tourism | Secure Testing Services Ford Mustang, Rose has also been participating in select Pro Late Model events with Racecar Solutions (RCS) during the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway.

Thanks For Your Support: With the start of the 2024 season on deck, AM Racing and Christian Rose would like to thank their associate marketing partners for their support: AIRBOX Air Purifier, Flying Circle, Mobil 1, and Whitetail Smokeless.

Follow on Social Media: For more on AM Racing, please visit AMRacingteam.com, like their Facebook page (AM Racing), or follow them on Instagram and X | Twitter @AMRacingNASCAR.

For more on Christian Rose, please like him on Facebook (Christian Rose Racing), or follow him on Instagram (@christianroseracing) and X | Twitter (@CRoseRacing).

Christian Rose Quoteboard:

On Daytona International Speedway: “I am excited to kick off the 2024 season at Daytona. My AM Racing team has built me a very fast No. 32 Department of West Virginia Tourism | Secure Testing Services Ford Mustang, and I’m upbeat about our chances of starting the year off with a visit to Victory Lane.”

On 2024 Season Outlook: “I am hoping we can pick up right where we left off from the 2023 season at Daytona this weekend. Our team worked hard throughout the season to deliver strong and competitive results. I’m confident we can continue to build on that momentum and compete for a championship in 2024.”

Race Information:

The Hard Rock Bet 200 (80 laps | 200 miles) is the first of 20 races on the 2024 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Practice begins Thurs., Feb. 15, with a fifty-minute session from 4:05 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. Group qualifying is set for Fri., Feb. 16, at 1:30 p.m. The season-opener for the 72nd consecutive ARCA season is set for the following afternoon on Feb. 17 to take the green flag shortly after 1:30 p.m. The event will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM Satellite Radio (XM channel 391 | online channel 981) handling the radio waves. ARCARacing.com will also stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire weekend festivities.

About AM Racing:

AM Racing is a multi-tiered, multi-faceted Motorsports program headquartered in Statesville, N.C.

Established in December 2015, AM Racing is prided on faith, honesty and intelligent performance.

The family-owned team will compete in the ARCA Menards Series, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series and various Dirt Modified events in its eighth year of competition.

The team has named Hailie Deegan, Christian Rose, and Austin Wayne Self as their primary drivers for the 2024 Xfinity, ARCA Menards Series, and Dirt Modified seasons, respectively.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.: Last year’s BRANDT 200 Supporting Florida FFA at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway certainly brought a lot of positive memories for ARCA Menards Series veteran Jason Kitzmiller and his No. 97 A.L.L. Construction Racing | CR7 Motorsports team.

Unfortunately, the strongest race of Kitzmiller’s ARCA career left more to be desired after his No. 97 A.L.L. Construction Chevrolet was shuffled out of the draft and left with a 19th-place finish in the season-opener.

Fast forward 12 months later, Kitzmiller and his Todd Myers–led team return to the “World Center of Racing” focused on finishing what they started and delivering a defining performance in Saturday afternoon’s Daytona ARCA 200.

“Last year was so much fun,” said Kitzmiller.

“Yes, the race did not end the way that we hoped, but we were able to showcase the capabilities of our race team and I’m eager to get back to Daytona this week and see if we can duplicate our performance but earn the finish I feel like we deserve.”

The family-owned team opted not to participate in the series pre-season test last month at Daytona, but Kitzmiller doesn’t see the missed track time as anything to necessarily be concerned about. He believes with the leadership of Myers and the guidance of spotter Tim Fedewa, his team will quickly adapt.

“Traditionally it works out for us to be able to test, but the stars did not align last month,” offered Kitzmiller.

“It’s a bummer because the test always gives you the opportunity to knock the rust off a little bit – and shake down the car pretty good. Todd (Myers) does an amazing job with our equipment, and I believe our group will quickly make up any gaps.

“Talking to some folks, some teams only tested a couple of hours on Friday night, and it seemed like a chaotic day on Saturday, so maybe it was for the best. I know our No. 97 A.L.L. Construction Racing Chevrolet is going to be fast and we’ll see if we can’t fight for a pole and win this weekend.”

Kitzmiller is set for another year of racing – which includes a limited ARCA Menards Series schedule, but he is poised to deliver his first top-10 finish since finishing ninth at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway in 2022.

“We’ll be at some of our favorites,” added Kitzmiller. “I am expecting us to be at Talladega, Kansas, Michigan, and another race or two throughout the season. I’m disappointed that the series isn’t making the trip to Pocono Raceway this year, but we’ll look and see if we can find another racetrack to take its place – maybe Dover, we’ll see.”

In addition to the ARCA Menards Series, A.L.L. Construction Racing will also participate in select Grand National Super Series events this season.

“Between the ARCA Menards Series and the Grand National Super Series, I think we can not only have some fun but, hopefully, even find ourselves in a position to contend to win some races. The competition is probably at its best right now in both worlds of racing, but I am ready for it.

“Our team works hard even with a limited schedule to make sure we come to the track and be as competitive as possible. We’ll keep doing that and hopefully make 2024 our best year yet.”

Outside of his own busy racing schedule, Kitzmiller will also be traveling to races to watch his son Isacc’s career blossom.

“I am excited to watch Isacc build his craft,” mentioned Kitzmiller. “He has done a great job thus far, and as he adjusts to new tracks and new beginnings, I plan to be there to support him as much as I can. Maybe, who knows – someday we just might be racing together on the same ARCA track.”

Since 2020, Kitzmiller has 22 ARCA Menards Series starts to his credit with four top-10 finishes overall, including a career-best eighth-place finish twice at Talladega Superspeedway (April 2020) and Michigan International Speedway (August 2020) respectively.

The Daytona ARCA 200 (80 laps | 200 miles) is the first of 20 races on the 2024 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Practice begins Thurs., Feb. 15, with a fifty-minute session from 4:05 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. Group qualifying is set for Fri., Feb. 16, at 1:30 p.m. The season-opener for the 72nd consecutive ARCA season is set for the following afternoon on Feb. 17 to take the green flag shortly after 1:30 p.m. The event will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM Satellite Radio (XM channel 391 | online channel 981) handling the radio waves. ARCARacing.com will also stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire weekend festivities.

DE SOTO, Kan. (02/15/24) – After a successful four-race slate last year, Mandy Chick is set to begin her 2024 campaign with the ARCA Menards Series Daytona ARCA 200 at Daytona International Speedway this Saturday.

Chick turned in an impressive fifth-place result in the 2023 edition of the event – her first-ever superspeedway race. She started 25th on the grid but navigated tight packs in the draft and vaulted forward 20 spots on the famed 2.5-mile tri-oval in Daytona Beach, Florida. This year, the 22-year-old De Soto, Kansas, native is looking to again deliver a head-turning performance and be up front when the checkered flag flies.

Chick has already found success at the World Center of Racing this season; she rounded out the ARCA Menards Series test session at Daytona in January sitting in P2.

“Daytona is one of my favorite tracks – it has so much history and character,” Chick said. “I am honored to have the opportunity to race there.”

Chick will again be behind the wheel of her family-owned No. 74 Chevrolet SS in her ARCA Menards Series efforts throughout 2024. In addition to her duties behind the wheel, Chick is finishing her senior year at Terre Haute, Indiana’s Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology where she majors in mechanical engineering. She also remains the president of her Tri Delta sorority chapter.

“I am so thankful for the awesome people who support me, from my family and sorority sisters all the way to my dedicated marketing partners,” Chick said. “We had much success at Daytona last year and learned a lot! I can’t wait to continue the momentum this weekend.”

At Daytona, Chick’s support comes from JRC, FK Rod Ends, Fragola Performance Systems, Dynamic Drivelines, Aero Race Wheels, Day Construction, Pro Fab Headers & Exhaust, Whirlwind Ranch and Victory 23 Designs.

The Daytona ARCA 200 gets underway at 1:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 17. Television coverage is on FOX Sports 1 and the FOX Sports App. The radio broadcast is available on the Motor Racing Network (MRN).

More information on Mandy Chick can be found at www.mandychick.com.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.: Did you really think he wouldn’t be back?

Despite breaking his back in a NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway last fall, Greg Van Alst was determined nothing would keep him from defending his ARCA Menards Series Daytona title on February 17, 2024.

After months of rigorous recovery and sometimes painful physical therapy, Van Alst received the all-clear to return to competition following the Holidays. He returned to the cockpit for the first time in nearly three and a half months at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway during the annual two-day preseason test session in mid-January.

For Van Alst, it was emotional.

Returning to the “World Center of Racing,” knowing the last time he left the hollowed grounds of Daytona Beach, Fla., a winner.

But Van Alst also climbed the high banks of the 2.5-mile superspeedway on January 12, 2024, without the physical support of his father, who lost a short but courageous battle with cancer last April. Still, the Anderson, Ind. native was able to put his emotions aside and focus on the job at hand – returning to Victory Lane.

With his No. 35 Chevrolet fixed after a monstrous incident in the ARCA Menards Series race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway last April, Van Alst quickly showcased early on that his car had the speed it had showcased during the 2023 season-opener last year.

Unfortunately, Van Alst’s luck at the test was short-lived while in the draft, and in a tight pack, the group ran over a piece of debris on the track that ultimately caused heavy damage to his race car and ended their test early.

With the necessary repairs made and the car as good as new, Van Alst is focused on reliving the moment from February 18, 2023, and pulling his No. 35 Greg Van Alst Motorsports Chevrolet back into Victory Lane for his second career ARCA Menards Series victory.

Van Alst, however, knows it’s not relatively that easy.

“I’m ready to do this,” said Van Alst. “A lot has certainly changed in a year. Some good, some bad, but we are back as a team to defend our ARCA Menards Series title at Daytona, and I’m so thankful for that.”

Knowing the dominoes will once again have to fall his way and the stars realign on the last lap of the 80-lap contest, Van Alst believes that magic can happen twice, and through a relentless effort and sheer devotion, his team won’t go down without a fight.

“There is a lot that has to happen to win two in a row at Daytona,” added Van Alst. “Everything just has to set perfect. You have to be at the right place at the right time. Have that perfect opportunity to take advantage of that open door that leads to Victory Lane. We’re back and going to try and make it happen again.”

With a focus on attempting to run the full ARCA Menards Series schedule again in 2024, Van Alst knows the importance of starting the year on the right foot.

It’s super important,” added Van Alst. “It’s so hard to play catchup if you have a poor finish at Daytona. I try to stay positive and not think about that, though. We’ll worry about it afterward if we have to.

“Our goal throughout the weekend, though, is to ensure our car is strong in the draft and I can maneuver the car well. Handling will come into play, especially near the end of the race. Just need to make sure we are in a place to execute.”

Unlike last year, Greg Van Alst will need a different kind of help in 2024.

Greg Van Alst Motorsports will field two cars for the first time as a car owner in the first of 20 ARCA Menards Series races this season.

Midwest racing standout and fellow Martinsville, Ind. native Isaac Johnson has been tapped to drive the No. 34 Ford Mustang as a teammate to Van Alst’s No. 35 Chevrolet SS this weekend.

Johnson, 23, boasts experience in various racing disciplines, including Go-Karts, Kenyon Midgets, Dirt Late Models, and Pavement Late Models – but Saturday afternoon’s race will mark the biggest race of his career.

“There were a lot of options on the table as far as what I could do to kick off the season,” sounded Van Alst.

“I am all about giving back and creating a platform where the next wave of racers can come to Greg Van Alst Motorsports and be confident about what they will be driving and knowing that they are going to have the same opportunity to contend for wins – just as if I was driving the race car.

“We are so excited to have Isaac racing with us this weekend. In August, he did a great job in his ARCA Menards Series debut at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. I believe he can benefit our team by continuing to build our notebook from the test in January and being an asset during the race on Saturday.”

Zaki Ali (Injury & Criminal Trial Attorney; 1-888-649-1-ALI) has joined the winning ARCA Menards Series operation as the primary partner of the team’s No. 35 Chevrolet SS for the highly contested 80-lap race on Saturday afternoon.

Nine other companies have also pledged their support in hopes of Van Alst’s securing back-to-back ARCA Daytona trophies, including CB Fabricating, Top Choice Fence, Verns Concrete, ACDirect.com, Delaware Valley Septic Sewer, Storm Lifeline Fire and Safety Systems, Hertz Law Firm, Norton Transport and Mikes Hardscape Supply.

“Zaki Ali, CB Fabricating, Top Choice Fence, Verns Concrete, ACDirect.com, Delaware Valley Septic Sewer, Storm Lifeline Fire and Safety Systems, Hertz Law Firm, Norton Transport and Mikes Hardscape Supply have all also been instrumental in helping keep my motorsports dream alive for a second consecutive,” added Van Alst.

“Without these 10 companies, our participation in Saturday afternoon’s Daytona ARCA 200 would not have been possible. For me, there is only one way to thank them properly: putting our No. 35 Chevrolet back in Victory Lane!”

For more on Greg Van Alst and Greg Van Alst Motorsports, please visit GregVanAlst.com, like them on Facebook (Van Alst Motorsports) and follow him on X | Twitter (@GregVanAlst35).

For more on Isaac Johnson, please like him on Facebook (Isaac Johnson Racing), or follow him on Instagram (@isaacjohnsonracing), TikTok (@isaacjohnsonracing) and X | Twitter (@isaac72johnson).

The Hard Rock Bet 200 (80 laps | 200 miles) is the first of 20 races on the 2024 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Practice begins Thurs., Feb. 15, with a fifty-minute session from 4:05 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. Group qualifying is set for Fri., Feb. 16, at 1:30 p.m. The season-opener for the 72nd consecutive ARCA season is set for the following afternoon on Feb. 17 to take the green flag shortly after 1:30 p.m. The event will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM Satellite Radio (XM channel 391 | online channel 981) handling the radio waves. ARCARacing.com will also stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire weekend festivities.

ARCA Menards Series
The Race: Daytona ARCA 200
The Place: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla.
The Date: Saturday, February 17, 2024
The Time: 1:30 pm ET
TV: Live, FS1
Distance: 80 Laps/250 miles

The Daytona ARCA 200 will serve as the opening race of the 2024 ARCA Menards Series season. It will also be the 61st time the
ARCA Menards Series has raced at Daytona since the first in 1964.

Last year’s race came down to the final lap with Anderson, Indiana native Greg Van Alst taking the lead down the backstretch
and holding off an eleven-car pack off turn four to hold on for his first career ARCA Menards Series win.

The 50 entries for the Daytona ARCA 200 represent the most at Daytona since there were 51 in 2016. The 50 drivers entered represent
22 states and six countries (United States, Mexico, New Zealand, Canada, Luxembourg, and Japan).

Andres Perez returns to the ARCA Menards Series in 2024, again driving for Rev Racing, looking to better his runner-up finish
in the series standings. Perez was not able to race in last year’s Daytona ARCA 200 due to age restrictions, but he was credited with 40th-place after making one lap on the apron in practice.

Previous ARCA Menards Series winners at Daytona International Speedway include Nelson Stacy, Iggy Katona, Jack Bowsher, Ralph
Latham, Andy Hampton, Benny Parsons, Ramo Stott, Andy Hampton, Charlie Blanton, Ron Hutcherson, Lenny Pond, Woody Fisher, Jim Sauter, Kyle Petty, John Rezek, Tim Richmond, Joe Ruttman, Ferrel Harris, Rick Wilson, Glenn Sears, Grant Adcox, Ralph Jones, Mickey
Gibbs, Ben Hess, Jimmy Horton, Jeff Purvis, Mike Wallace, Andy Hillenburg, Kenny Irwin, Jr., Bobby Gerhart, David Keith, Ryan Newman, Chase Montgomery, Kyle Busch, Michael Annet, James Buescher, John Wes Townley, Grant Enfinger, Austin Theriault, Michael Self,
Harrison Burton, Corey Heim, and Greg Van Alst.

Bobby Gerhart leads all drivers with nine wins at Daytona International Speedway. Other drivers with multiple victories include
Iggy Katona (3), Ben Hess (2), Jimmy Horton (2), Jeff Purvis (2), Andy Hillenburg (2), John Wes Townley (2), Grant Enfinger (2), and Corey Heim (2).

Drivers who have scored their first career ARCA Menards Series wins include Charlie Blanton (1973), Lennie Pond (1976), Jim
Sauter (1978), Kyle Petty (1979), John Rezek (1980), Tim Richmond (1981), Ferrel Harris (1983), Rick Wilson (1984), Grant Adcox (1986), Ralph Jones (1987), Mickey Gibbs (1988), Ben Hess (1989), Jimmy Horton (1990), Jef Purvis (1993), Mike Wallace (1994), Andy
Hillenburg (1995), Kenny Irwin, Jr. (1998), Bobby Gerhart (1999), Chase Montgomery (2003), John Wes Townley (2013), and Greg Van Alst (2023).

The ARCA Menards Series qualifying record at Daytona International Speedway is 44.953 seconds/200.209 miles per hour, set by
Bill Venturini in February 1987.

The ARCA Menards Series race record at Daytona International Speedway is 1 hour, 18 minutes, 20 seconds/153.191 miles per hour,
set by Kenny Irwin, Jr. In February 1998.

The field will be set in a group qualifying session in Friday’s General Tire Pole Qualifying. The 50 drivers will be assigned
a group following a random draw. There will be six groups of seven and one group of eight cars. The fastest 34 speeds will be locked in while the final six will be provisional starters, three based on the final 2023 owner point standings, two on eligible Golden
A plan teams who started all 20 races in 2023, and one reserved for a former series champion who did not make the field on speed. If there Golden A positions and/or the past champion’s provisional go unused, they will revert to 2023 owner point standings.

The modern-era (post-1979) record for lead changes in an ARCA Menards Series race in 18, set in 1985 in a race won by Glenn
Sears. The fewest lead changes in an ARCA Menards Series race at Daytona is 2 in 1998 in a race won by Kenny Irwin, Jr.

The modern-era record for the most cautions in an ARCA Menards Series race at Daytona International Speedway is 9, in 1989.
The record for the most laps under caution is 47, set in 2006 and tied in 2009. The fewest laps under caution is 10 set in 1998.

Should the race need to be extended into overtime, there will be one attempt at a one-lap “green and white together” finish.
Should the caution be displayed any time on the final lap before the field receives the checkered flag, the field will be frozen and the race will be over.

CONCORD, N.C.: Two-time ARCA Menards Series winner Gus Dean returns to the potent Venturini Motorsports for a third consecutive season, beginning with next weekend’s ARCA season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on February 17, 2024.

Dean, 29, returns to the Concord, N.C.-based team for a limited schedule after a five-race schedule last year included two runner-up performances at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway and Michigan International Speedway, respectively.

Overall, Dean delivered three top-10 finishes in his five starts.

Since joining the family-owned operation in 2022, in nine premier ARCA Menards Series races, Dean has mounted six top-five and seven top-10 runs.

A competitor in the ARCA Menards Series since 2016, the veteran racer returns to the “World Center of Racing” for an eighth time focused on delivering Venturini Motorsports their 100th career ARCA triumph at the 2.5-mile superspeedway in one of five team entries.

Dean scored his first career ARCA Menards Series victory in just his second start at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in 2016 but had been cursed at Daytona throughout five previous races until he returned to the track on the ARCA scene in 2022, where he qualified second and recovered from being collected in a mid-race incident to collect his then 14th career ARCA top-five finish.

Last year, the Daytona curse struck again after the team experienced an uncharacteristic mechanical failure, which resulted in a disappointing 35th-place finish.

Back aboard the No. 55 Toyota Camry, Dean is determined to chase his third career ARCA win in the Sunshine State.

“I am thrilled to return to the Venturini Motorsports team in 2024 again,” said Dean. “We have built a great foundation together over the past two years. We inched closer to Victory Lane with two runner-up finishes last year, and I know that we can come out of the box swinging at Daytona, turn our success into checkered flags, and get ourselves a win or two throughout the year.”

Last month, Dean once again said he wheeled the best superspeedway car of his career during the annual preseason ARCA testing at the iconic race track, which saw the No. 55 Toyota Camry run one of the fastest laps of the weekend and give the Kevin Reed Jr.-led team momentum leaning into the first of 20 races on the 2024 schedule.

“I can’t begin to describe how fast our Toyota Camry was during last month’s test,” added Dean. “It’s the same car that we had here last February. I did not think we could improve the car, but we did.

“Even though we tested for just four hours, I left the track knowing it was the best superspeedway car I have ever had. I hope we can build on the success and our notes during the event weekend. I can add to Venturini Motorsports’ overall success at Daytona and deliver the biggest win of my ARCA career.”

Venturini Motorsports’ Billy Venturini says having a veteran like Dean back in the team’s lineup this season is essential.

“(I) Love Gus,” offered Venturini. “He is a lot different than most of our drivers. He has a great attitude, always upbeat. He brings a solid performance every single race. You look at his results – they have been steady and sound. He’s a wonderful person to have and carries veteran leadership.

“I’d love to be able to experience a first Daytona win with Gus; he’d appreciate the meaning of it the way you’re supposed to. He understands the magnitude of this place.”

Venturini added that Dean is the most experienced driver of his fleet at Daytona, and while he knows he will serve as a great captain for the organization, his leadership will be pivotal in 2024.

“The longer he is here, the more he represents himself as one of our more experienced assets. He did step into that leadership role last year, but last year, he had Jesse (Love), who was his wingman. This will be a good spot for him to step into a new leadership role and be our hub with our drivers when he races. He will excel.”

As for 2024, Venturini expects similar, if not better, results for his popular driver.

“Gus is capable of running inside the top three or four on any given weekend,” Venturini sounded. “A contender to win every race track we go. I expect him to run in the top four and contend for the win.”

Added Dean, “The Venturini Motorsports team really welcomed me with open arms the last two seasons, and they continued to make me feel like I was a member of their family. That is important to me. Billy, Mr. Bill, Mrs. Cathy (Venturini), and the entire Venturini Motorsports team believe in me and my abilities, and as a race car driver, there is no better feeling than that.

“I am ready for Daytona and cannot wait to get there.”

In 2024, Dean will compete in a minimum of six races aboard the No. 55 Toyota Camry. In addition to Daytona, he is scheduled for competition at Talladega Superspeedway, Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway, Iowa Speedway, Salem (Ind.) Speedway and Michigan International Speedway in August.

Additional ARCA races with Venturini Motorsports could be added as the season progresses.

Dean says that with an increased schedule in 2024 that consists of speedways and short tracks, it is a great balance.

“Of course, I enjoy racing at Daytona, Talladega, Charlotte and Michigan, but adding Iowa and Salem to our plate this year is fantastic. I enjoy racing at both places, especially Salem, and I can be instrumental in helping Venturini Motorsports and my teammates make the 2024 a successful one.”

Before Dean buckles in at Daytona, he will have a busy week leading up to the 2024 ARCA season opener, as he’ll also be competing at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway in the highly contested World Series of Asphalt driving a Super Late Model for DLP Motorsports starting on February 9, 2024.

“It means everything to us to have Gus represent DLP Motorsports,” said David “Buggy” Pletcher, owner of DLP Motorsports. “Not only is Gus a great person, but he is also a talented driver. It’s good to have a driver of his caliber with all his experience for the younger drivers to bounce ideas and such off each other.

“We’re moving back to a Super Late Model this year, and we’re excited about bringing a brand new race car to the track. The competition will be strong, but I believe in Gus and his abilities and know we can turn some heads.”

For more on Venturini Motorsports, please visit venturinimotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Venturini Motorsports), and follow them on Instagram (@venturinimotorsports) and X |Twitter (@VenturiniMotor).

For more on Gus Dean, please visit GusDean.com, like him on Facebook (Gus Dean Racing) and follow him on Instagram and Twitter (@GusDean).

About Venturini Motorsports:

Venturini Motorsports (VMS) is a highly touted fixture in the ARCA Racing Series, having claimed 99 ARCA victories and, most recently, the 2023 ARCA Championship and 2023 ARCA West Championships. The Concord, N.C.-based VMS is an official Toyota Racing Development team and is considered one of the early pioneers in NASCAR driver development programs.

VMS has gone onto assist many of the sports’ top driver prospects in pursuit of making it to the highest levels of stock car racing.

The growing list of drivers racing today in one of NASCAR’s top three touring series includes current Toyota drivers Christopher Bell, Chandler Smith, Bubba Wallace, Corey Heim, John Hunter Nemechek and Dean Thompson.

VMS Alumni also include Justin Allgaier, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Harrison Burton, William Byron, Christian Eckes, Todd Gilliland, Justin Haley, Brandon Jones, Erik Jones, Jesse Love, Zane Smith and Daniel Suárez.

TEMPERANCE, Mich. (February 5, 2024) – The official entry list for the ARCA Menards Series season-opening Daytona ARCA 200 at Daytona International Speedway features 50 drivers from 21 states and six countries.

Defending race winner Greg Van Alst headlines a competitive field of entries that also features full-time series championship contenders
Andres Perez and his Rev Racing teammate Lavar Scott, Kris Wright, Amber Balcaen, and Toni Breidinger out of the Venturini Motorsports stable, Christian Rose for AM Racing, and Weaver Motorsports’ Caleb Costner.

The series regulars will be challenged by some of the biggest names in motorsports worldwide, as they will be joined by IndyCar winner
and SRX champion Marco Andretti. Driving for reigning ARCA Menards Series West champion team owner Bruce Cook, Andretti will look to join his grandfather Mario, who won the Daytona 500 in 1967, and his late uncle John, who won the Coke Zero 400 in 1997, as
a stock car winner at Daytona.

Shane Van Gisbergen, the four-time Australian V8 Supercar Series champion, and the winner of the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race in
Chicago last year, is also entered, driving for team owner Mark Webb’s Pinnacle Racing Group. Van Gisbergen will be doing double duty, as he will race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series season opener immediately following the ARCA race.

Other notables include a pair of drivers who finished in the top five last year, third-place finisher Sean Corr and fifth-place finisher
Mandy Chick, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regular Tanner Gray, who will drive for Joe Gibbs Racing, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour regulars Justin Bonsignore – who participated in the ARCA Menards Series Road to Daytona program in January – and Patrick Emerling,
recent Gambler’s Classic TQ Midget winner and series regular Andy Jankowiak, along with Venturini Motorsports teammates Jake Finch and Gus Dean.

The first official on-track activity of the 2024 season is scheduled for Thursday, February 15 when the teams take to the track for
a 50-minute practice session. The 40-car starting lineup will be set in General Tire Pole Qualifying on Friday, February 16, with the 80-lap/200-mile season-opener to follow on Saturday, February 17. The race will be televised live on FS1 starting at 1:30
pm ET; it will also be broadcast on select affiliates of the MRN Radio network nationwide.

Live timing & scoring data will be available for all on-track activities at ARCARacing.com; follow @ARCA_Racing on X (formerly Twitter)
for up-to-the-minute updates.

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 administers more than 100 events annually, including the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, 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). 

MOORESVILLE, N.C.: Rette Jones Racing confirmed today the signing of three-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) Champion Justin Bonsignore to drive the No. 30 Rette Jones Racing Ford Mustang in this month’s ARCA Menards Series season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on Feb. 17, 2024.

A phenomenal career in the Modifieds that boasts 40 wins, the 36-year-old Bonsignore will manhandle a stock car at the “World Center of Racing” for the first time as he looks to deliver the Mooresville, N.C.-based team a victory in the Daytona ARCA 200.

Bonsignore picked up his first championship in 2018 and followed it up with two more in 2020 and 2021.

Over 17 years of competing on NASCAR’s oldest touring series, Bonsignore has amassed 40 career wins, along with 118 top-fives and 154 top-10s. His 40 wins rank him fourth all-time on the series win list, just two behind the late Ted Christopher for third.

Bonsignore also has 30 career Tour pole awards – also fourth on the all-time list. In the last six years with crew chief Ryan Stone, Bonsignore has 28 of his 40 wins.

The New York native started his career young, in go-karts, then jumped to compete at Riverhead Raceway. From there, his NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour opportunity started with Ken Massa Motorsports full-time in the No. 51 in 2010.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to drive for Rette Jones Racing,” Bonsignore said. “They have a really strong program, and that should help with my learning curve into the ARCA Menards Series.

“I can learn from Mark (Rette, crew chief and co-car-owner) and all of his experiences to understand the small details that go into Superspeedway style racing. I feel really confident going into the race that I have a team that is capable of contending for the win – it will just be about getting myself up to speed and comfortable to go out there and get the job done.”

The Holtsville, N.Y. native participated in the preseason ARCA Menards Series test at the 2.5-mile superspeedway last month with Fast Track Racing. The two-day session proved beneficial for Bonsignore in familiarizing himself with an ARCA car and the track’s characteristics. He hopes to apply what he learned in January during his ARCA debut weekend.

“The test laps in January with Andy Hillenburg and his Fast Track Enterprises team as part of the Road to Daytona program were important,” Bonsignore said. “I needed to run the test to be approved to compete in the ARCA race, but Andy and I spoke about the opportunity to maybe run the race, and he shared some crucial insight with me during the test.

“He ran through multiple different scenarios and possibilities that could take place and that was important to me. Andy and his team were great to work with. They are a great asset to the ARCA Menards Series and I can’t thank them enough for everything they did to help me get up to speed.”

For former ARCA champion crew chief and co-team owner Mark Rette, the opportunity to put Bonsignore behind the wheel of his No. 30 Ford Mustang is a privilege.

“We are so thrilled about this opportunity with Justin for Daytona,” said Rette, whose team finished 11th in last year’s ARCA race at Daytona with rookie Frankie Muniz at the helm. “Justin is incredibly focused on making the most of this opportunity, and we believe we are bringing him a Ford Mustang that he can not only contend with for a top-10 finish but challenge for a win.

“Justin is the complete package for a driver, and we have worked with many drivers since our tenure began with Rette Jones Racing in 2016. He will take care of the car throughout the race but press the attack when the checkered flag is on the line.

“Even though we did not participate in the test, I was staying in touch with a lot of people who were there, and they all believe Justin can jump in our No. 30 Rette Jones Racing Ford Mustang and surprise a lot of people.”

For Bonsignore, the 80-lap preamble to the NASCAR Xfinity Series season opener will be one of the biggest races of his career.

“If this isn’t the biggest race of my career, it’s definitely up there,” Bonsignore said. “The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is my home and forever will be. But, to make a start at Daytona International Speedway… it’s something every kid in racing dreams of, and I’m lucky enough to be able to live out my dream.”

For more on Justin Bonsignore, please visit justinbonsignore.com, like him on Facebook (Justin Bonsignore), and follow him on Instagram (@jbonsignore) and X | Twitter (@jbonsignore).

For more on Rette Jones Racing, please visit RetteJonesRacing.com, like them on Facebook (Rette Jones Racing), or follow them on Instagram (@RetteJones30) and X | Twitter (@RetteJones30).

The Daytona ARCA 200 (80 laps | 200 miles) is the first of 20 races on the 2024 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Practice begins Thurs., Feb. 15, with a fifty-minute session from 4:05 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. Group qualifying is set for Fri., Feb. 16, at 1:30 p.m. The season-opener for the 72nd consecutive ARCA season is set for the following afternoon on Feb. 17 to take the green flag shortly after 1:30 p.m. The event will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM Satellite Radio (XM channel 391 | online channel 981) handling the radio waves. ARCARacing.com will also stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire weekend festivities.

About Rette Jones Racing:

Headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, Rette Jones Racing (RJR) was founded in 2015 with the intent of building a successful racing operation built around the fundamentals of hard work and a never-give-up attitude.

Owned by racers Terry Jones and Mark Rette, RJR plans to field a full-time entry in 2024 in the ASA STARS National Tour Series while also planning to field vehicles in the ARCA Menards Series platform and NASCAR respectively.

Rette Jones Racing also offers technical and setup intel as part of its technical alliance partnership program.