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Tag: ARCA Menards Series

  • Updated Weekend schedule for Charlotte

    Updated Weekend schedule for Charlotte

    NASCAR heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway for a triple-header schedule of events on Memorial Day weekend. The NASCAR Salutes Together with Coca-Cola program will also be back for the ninth season to pay tribute to the U.S. military members and their families.

    The CRAFTSMAN Truck Series competes Friday evening followed by the Xfinity Series on Saturday, culminating with the main event on Sunday with the Cup Series Coca-Cola 600. The ARCA Menards Series will also precede the Truck Series race with the General Tire 150 at 6 p.m. on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

    Denny Hamlin is the defending winner of the 2022 Coca-Cola 600. Multiple race winners include Jimmie Johnson with eight wins, Martin Truex Jr. and Kevin Harvick have won three times, and Brad Keselowski has won twice.

    JR Motorsports driver, Josh Berry, is the defending Xfinity Series race winner and is hoping to score his first checkered flag of the season. But, it may be a difficult feat to accomplish as there have been 10 different winners at Charlotte in the previous 10 races.

    Austin Dillon was the last repeat winner, winning both races in 2015, followed by Denny Hamlin (2016), Joey Logano (2016), Ryan Blaney (2017), Alex Bowman (2017), Brad Keselowski (2018), Tyler Reddick (2019), Kyle Busch (2020), Ty Gibbs (2021) and Josh Berry (2022).

    The 20 previous Truck Series races at Charlotte have produced 11 different race winners. Kyle Busch leads all drivers with eight trophies and has won seven out of the last 13 races.

    NASCAR Press Pass will be available after the Truck, Xfinity and Cup Series races.

    All times are Eastern.

    Friday, May 26

    11:40 a.m.: ARCA Practice – No TV
    12:40 a.m.: ARCA Qualifying – No TV
    1:35 p.m.: Truck Series Practice – FS1
    2:05 p.m.: Truck Series Qualifying – FS1
    3:35 p.m.: Xfinity Practice – FS1
    4:05 p.m.: Xfinity Qualifying – FS1

    6 p.m.: ARCA General Tire 150 – FS1/MRN/SiriusXM

    8:30 p.m.: Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200
    FS1/MRN/SiriusXM
    Distance: 201 miles (134 Laps)
    Stages end on Lap 30, Lap 60 and Lap 134
    The Purse: $767,542

    Saturday, May 27

    Noon: Xfinity Series Alsco Uniforms 300 – Postponed to Monday, May 29 at Noon
    FS1/PRN/SiriusXM
    Distance: 300 miles (200 Laps)
    Stage 1 ends on Lap 45, Stage 2 ends on Lap 90, Final Stage ends on Lap 200
    The Purse: $1,317,391

    7:05 p.m.: Cup Series Practice – FS1/PRN/SiriusXM – Canceled
    7:50 p.m.: Cup Series Qualifying – FS1/PRN/SiriusXM – Canceled

    Sunday, May 28

    6 p.m.: Cup Series Coca-Cola 600
    FOX/PRN/SiriusXM
    Distance: 600 miles (400 Laps)
    Stage 1 ends on Lap 100, Stage 2 ends on Lap 200, Stage 3 ends on Lap 300, Final Stage ends on Lap 400
    The Purse: $9,421,275

  • Weekend schedule for Talladega

    Weekend schedule for Talladega

    The NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series travel to Talladega Superspeedway this week for one of NASCAR’s most anticipated events. The 2.66-mile track has produced six different winners in the last six races. And, since we’ve already seen seven different winners in the first nine races of the 2023 season, Talladega promises to deliver another exciting result.

    The Xfinity Series has also seen a high level of completion at Talladega with 28 different winners in 34 races. This weekend’s race will feature the third installment of the Dash 4 Cash program with John Hunter Nemechek, Sammy Smith, Cole Custer and Josh Berry vying for the $100,000 bonus.

    The ARCA Menards Series will be first up with the General Tire 200 Saturday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. while the NASCAR Camping World Truck is off for the next couple of weeks and will return to competition on May 6 at Kansas Speedway.

    All times are Eastern

    Friday, April 21

    4 p.m.: ARCA Menards Series Practice (Impound) (Groups) No TV
    5:35 p.m.: Xfinity Qualifying (Impound) Single Vehicle/1 Lap/2 Rounds) FS1
    Post Xfinity Qualifying on Press Pass

    Saturday, April 22

    10:30 a.m.: Cup Series Qualifying (Impound) Single Vehicle/1 Lap/2 Rounds
    12:30 p.m.: ARCA General Tire 200
    Stages 25/50/113 Laps (300.58 Miles)
    FS1/MRN/SiriusXM
    4 p.m.: Xfinity Ag-Pro 300
    Stages 25/50/113 Laps (300.58 Miles)
    Post Xfinity race on Press Pass
    The Purse: $1,438,641

    Sunday, April 23

    3 p.m.: Cup Series GEICO 500
    Stages 60/120/188 Laps (500.08 Miles)
    FOX/MRN/SiriusXM
    The Purse: $7,857,314
    Post Cup Series race on Press Pass

  • Weekend schedule for Watkins Glen

    Weekend schedule for Watkins Glen

    The NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series head to Watkins Glen International this weekend. There are only two races remaining in the Cup Series regular season. So far we have seen 15 different winners, leaving one final spot in the Playoffs.

    Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney has not won this year but is currently ranked in the 16th and final Playoff spot. But, with two to go, his biggest rival, Martin Truex Jr., is only 26 points behind. And, with the threat of a new winner, we can expect a no holds barred fight to the finish.

    There are five races to go in the Xfinity Series regular season and seven different drivers have been to victory lane, including six multiple race winners. Ty Gibbs leads the series with five wins.

    The Camping World Truck Series is off but returns to action for the final race in the Playoffs Round of 10 at Kansas Speedway on Sept. 9 where two drivers will be eliminated.

    Friday evening, the ARCA Menards Series will kick off the weekend with the General Tire Delivers 100 on FS1.

    All times are Eastern.

    Friday, August 19

    3:15 p.m.: ARCA Menards Series Practice (All Entries) No TV
    4:25 p.m.: ARCA Menards Series Qualifying (Impound) (Timed, All Entries) No TV

    6 p.m.: ARCA General Tire Delivers 100
    41 Laps = 100.45 Miles
    FS1/MRN

    Saturday, August 20

    10:05 a.m.: Xfinity Series Practice (All Entries) – Peacock
    10:35 a.m.: Xfinity Series Qualifying (Impound) (Group A & B/ Multi-Vehicle, Two Rounds) Peacock
    12:05 p.m.: Cup Series Practice (Groups A & B) Airs on USA at 12:30 p.m./MRN
    1:05 p.m.: Cup Series Qualifying Qualifying (Impound) (Groups A & B/Multi-Vehicle, Two Rounds) USA/MRN

    3 p.m.: Xfinity Series Sunoco Go Rewards 200 at The Glen
    Distance: 200.9 Miles = 82 Laps
    Stages end on Laps 20, 40, 82
    The Purse: $1,159,436
    USA/MRN/SiriusXM

    Sunday, August 21

    3 p.m.: Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen
    Distance: 220.5 Miles = 90 Laps
    Stages end on Laps 20, 40, 90
    The Purse: $6,664,145
    USA/MRN/SiriusXM

  • Sanchez spoils the party at Kansas, Gibbs wins ARCA Championship

    Sanchez spoils the party at Kansas, Gibbs wins ARCA Championship

    Kansas City, KS – After a dominant race by the 2021 ARCA Menards Series champion, Ty Gibbs, a late-race caution played spoiler. In a green-white-checkered flag finish at the 1.5-mile speedway, the victory went to Nick Sanchez who rallied to claim his first-ever ARCA series victory in just 21 starts.

    “This win is pretty surreal,” Sanchez said. “I feel like there should have been other times this year where we should have been in victory lane and I’m just glad we were able to capitalize off this season.”

    As Sanchez celebrated his victory, there was another career first. Ty Gibbs won his first ARCA Menards Series championship Saturday night at Kansas Speedway. With the help of 10 career race wins in 2021 and only 24 cars entering the race, all Gibbs had to do to clinch the championship was start the race and take the green flag, barring any mechanical failures.

    When the green flag flew, Gibbs became the champion but still had a race to win. The 18-year-old started on the pole and led his closest competitor Corey Heim to the green. Gibbs had a rocket ship No. 18 Monster Energy Toyota and led all the laps to the competition caution on Lap 50. In fact, Gibbs’ car was fast enough that he had lapped up to third place prior to the yellow flying at halfway.

    After the halfway point, a light mist began to fall in the area causing the race to be delayed slightly with laps run under caution. Following the 15-lap yellow flag, the race was restarted with 35 laps to go with Gibbs, Sanchez and Heim starting up front. Despite the long yellow, Gibbs continued to have the strongest car and led until a caution flew with five laps to go for the No. 7 of Eric Caudell.

    The late-race caution set up a two-lap dash to the finish with Gibbs and Sanchez on the front row. Sanchez powered to the front of Gibbs as Gibbs tried to chase him down on the back straightaway. Knowing he would have one last show at the win, the North Carolina native was looking to make a move on Sanchez out of Turn 4, but Gibbs came up just short of scoring his 11th career victory of the season.

    Gibbs became the 37th different ARCA Menards Series Champion in series history. Earlier in the day prior to the ARCA race, Gibbs also won the NASCAR Xfinity Series event.

    Gibbs became the 37th different ARCA Menards Series Champion in series history. Earlier in the day prior to the ARCA race, Gibbs also won the NASCAR Xfinity Series event.

    “It was a wonderful day. You know I wish we could have won the (ARCA) race but that’s part of it,” Gibbs said. “Sometimes you’re going to win and sometimes you’re going to lose these things at the end of them. More importantly, we were thinking big picture of winning the championship and we can home with it.”

    There were two cautions for 21 laps and two lead changes among two different leaders.

    Official Race Results following the Reese’s 150 at Kansas Speedway.

    1. Nick Sanchez, led two laps
    2. Ty Gibbs, led 99 laps
    3. Corey Heim, led one lap
    4. Drew Dollar
    5. JP Bergeron
    6. Kris Wright, 1 lap down
    7. Kyle Sieg, 1 lap down
    8. Dean Thompson, 1 lap down
    9. Rajah Caruth, 1 lap down
    10. Parker Chase, 2 laps down
    11. Connor Mosack, 2 laps down
    12. Scott Melton, 2 laps down
    13. Andy Jankowiak, 2 laps down
    14. Greg Van Alst, 2 laps down
    15. Ron Vandermeir Jr, 3 laps down
    16. Toni Breidinger, 4 laps down
    17. Zachary Tinkle, 8 laps down
    18. D.L. Wilson, 8 laps down
    19. Eric Caudell, 10 laps down
    20. Arnout Kok, OUT, Rear End
    21. Kyle Lockrow, OUT, Engine
    22. Tony Consentino, OUT, Brakes
    23. Brad Smith, OUT, Vibration
    24. Wayne Peterson, OUT, Did Not Start

    Up Next: The ARCA Menards Series 2021 season is now complete and the series will turn its focus to the 2022 season. However, the ARCA Menards West Series still has one more race to go that is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 6, live on Trackpass.

  • Weekend schedule for Kansas

    Weekend schedule for Kansas

    NASCAR travels to Kansas Speedway as the Cup Series and Xfinity Series compete in the second race of the Round of 8. Kyle Larson earned a spot in the Round of 4 last weekend with a win at Texas, leaving seven drivers to compete for the remaining three spots.

    Currently, Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Busch join Larson as the top four drivers above the cutline. Chase Elliott, Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr., and Joey Logano are on the outside looking in with only two more chances to move into the top four and contend for the season championship.

    The Xfinity Series will also compete in the second race of the Round of 8. With John Hunter Nemechek taking the win last week at Texas Motor Speedway, none of the drivers who are eligible for the championship have secured a place in the finale.

    The Camping World Truck Series is off and will return on Oct. 30 at Martinsville Speedway.

    The ARCA Menards Series will crown their champion at Kansas Saturday afternoon. Ty Gibbs can clinch the title when he takes the green flag if there are fewer than 28 cars starting the race. At this time there are only 25 entries.

    All times are Eastern.

    Saturday, October 23

    3:00 p.m.: Xfinity Series Kansas Lottery 300 race
    Stages 45/90/200 Laps = 300 Miles
    NBC/MRN/TSN4/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
    Pole: Daniel Hemric

    7 p.m.: ARCA Menards Series Reese’s 150
    100 Laps, 150 Miles
    MAVTV/TrackPass/MRN

    Sunday, October 24

    3 p.m.: Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 race
    Stages 80/160/267 LAPS = 400.5 Miles
    NBC/MRN/TSN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
    Pole: Kyle Larson

    Kansas Speedway Data

    Season Race #: 34 of 36 (10-24-21)
    Track Size: 1.5-miles
    Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 17 to 20 degrees
    Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 17 to 20 degrees
    Banking/Frontstretch: 10 degrees
    Banking/Backstretch: 5 degrees
    Frontstretch Length: 2,685 feet
    Backstretch Length: 2,207 feet
    Race Length: 267 laps / 400.5 miles
    Stage 1 & 2 Length: 80 laps (each)
    Final Stage Length: 107 laps

    Kansas Speedway Qualifying Data

    Track qualifying record: Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet (197.773 mph, 27.304 secs.) on 10-03-14.
    2020 pole winner: Metric Qualifying, Kevin Harvick started from the first position.

    • Three drivers have started all 31 NASCAR Cup Series races and lead the series in starts at Kansas Speedway – Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, and Ryan Newman.
    • Brad Keselowski (23 starts) leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in an average starting position at Kansas of 9.826.
    • Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Kansas Speedway with five poles (fall 2013, 2014 sweep, spring 2018, and spring 2019).
    • The youngest series Kansas pole winner: Ryan Blaney (May 13, 2017 – 23 years, 2 months, 43 days).
    • Four manufacturers have won poles at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series; led by Chevrolet with 11 poles; followed by Ford (nine), Toyota, and Dodge have four each.

    Kansas Speedway Race Data

    Track race record: Chase Elliott, Chevrolet (152.057 mph, 02:38:02) on 10-21-18.
    2020 race winner: Joey Logano, Ford (138.329 mph, 02:53:43) on 10-18-20.

    • Five drivers are tied for the lead all-time in wins in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway with three victories each: Jeff Gordon (2001, 2002, 2014), Kevin Harvick (2013, 2016, 2018), Jimmie Johnson (2008, 2011, 2015), Denny Hamlin (2012, 2019, 2020) and Joey Logano (2014, 2015, 2020).
    • The youngest series Kansas winner: Chase Elliott (October 21, 2018 – 22 years, 10 months, 23 days).
    • A total of six of the 31 NASCAR Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway (19.3%) have been won from the pole or first starting position; the most proficient starting spot in the field.
    • The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Kansas Speedway is 25th, by Brad Keselowski in the spring of 2011.
    • Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing are tied for the lead in the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Kansas Speedway with seven victories each.
    • Four manufacturers have won at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series; led by Chevrolet with 12 victories, Ford with nine, Toyota has eight and Dodge has two.

    From OddsChecker:

    Kyle Larson favored to make NASCAR history – Larson is given +240 odds, or an implied 29.4% chance to win the Hollywood Casino 400. The next best odds are given to Denny Hamlin at +550, or an implied 15.4% chance. So, Larson is the clear strong favorite to win this one.

    HOLLYWOOD CASINO 400 WINNER ODDS 

    Driver Odds Implied chance 
    Kyle Larson +240 29.4% 
    Denny Hamlin +550 15.4% 
    Kyle Busch +600 14.3% 
    Chase Elliot +800 11.1% 
    William Byron +900 10% 
    Ryan Blaney +1000 9.1% 
    Martin Truex Jr. +1100 8.3% 
    Brad Keselowski +1400 6.7% 
    Joey Logano +1600 5.9% 
    Kevin Harvick +1800 5.3% 
  • Ty Gibbs dominates en route to victory at Milwaukee Mile

    Ty Gibbs dominates en route to victory at Milwaukee Mile

    For the first time in 14 years, the ARCA Menards Series made their return to the famous Milwaukee Mile Speedway in West Allis, Wisconsin Sunday afternoon and we saw a familiar face in victory lane as Ty Gibbs scored his ninth win of 2021.

    Ty Gibbs qualified on the pole position for the eighth time this year and led every lap of the 150 lap event in the Sprecher 150 to win the event. It was his 17th career victory in the ARCA Menards Series.

    “All these guys (pit crew), do so much for me and my team,” Gibbs said in victory lane. “These guys work their butts off and they want to win more than I do. That goes a lot into it (winning races). It’s just awesome, nine wins is crazy.

    “I feel like it’s super cool to win here. This track has so much history. I remember being young and watching Denny Hamlin and Aric (Almirola) win here. It’s one of those things where I have to sit back and think about it (the win). I wouldn’t be here without all these guys and all of my sponsors.”

    Coming into the 16th race of the 2021 ARCA season schedule, Ty Gibbs and Corey Heim were tied in the championship points standings. Gibbs had won eight times prior to Milwaukee, while Heim entered with six victories. Even with the pole position, Gibbs knew he couldn’t make a mistake with Heim running him down in the championship chase.

    The Sprecher 150 was broken up into three segments with the first segment ending on Lap 50, the second on Lap 100 and the final segment ending on Lap 150.

    Through the first segment break, Gibbs led every lap but had a few challengers along the way. One of those included his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Sammy Smith (who will compete in the ARCA Menards Series regular tour next year) behind Gibbs in second place. However, Smith would eventually be passed by the No. 21 of Daniel Dye on Lap 25, halfway to the race break.

    Unfortunately, for the GMS Racing development driver Dye, he slid back to fifth in the running order just before the first segment ended.

    As the second segment began, Gibbs had new contenders to deal with including championship favorite Corey Heim who overtook Smith for second place on Lap 54. Although, Dye fought his way back to the second position on Lap 85.

    Even with the new challengers, Gibbs remained unmatched and led through the second segment that ended on Lap 100.

    One of the most interesting moments during the race came on Lap 118 when the only natural caution occurred. The caution came as the No. 12 of Stephanie Moyer was spun by the No. 20 of Heim coming off Turn 2. Afterward, Heim had some minor damage but later reported the car was down on power.

    With Heim facing challenges of his own, Gibbs knew it was his race to lose at this point. However, following the Lap 123 restart, NASCAR Xfinity Series regular Sam Mayer moved into second and began a rally on Gibbs in the final 20 laps. Mayer though was only able to get within 0.516 of Gibbs while chasing him down.

    Even though Mayer did all he could to catch race leader Gibbs, the victory ultimately went to Ty Gibbs and the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing team for the ninth time this season. The victory also marked the third time in 2021 that Gibbs has led every lap in an ARCA Menards Series race. Mayer, Dye, Gray and Smith rounded out the top five finishers.

    ARCA Menards East Series Champion, Mayer, finished second to earn the 21st top-five finish of his ARCA career.

    “This place is really fun, I’ve never got to run here before today,” Mayer said. “I wish I would have got to a long time ago, this place is pretty awesome. I’m looking forward to hopefully ARCA coming back here next year and do a one-off race with these guys again because this place is just that fun.

    “NASCAR needs to come here, this place will put on a show for sure.”

    Daniel Dye in the No. 21 GMS machine completed the podium finish for the third time this season.

    “It was really cool trying to figure out the air,” Dye said about the third place finish. “It was fun racing Sam, and him trying to reel in Ty. (Crew chief) Chad Bryant and the GMS Racing group brought a great Solar-Fit, Heise LED Chevy. Milwaukee’s a flat race track and this was the first time I’ve ever been on a flat race track, so I had a lot of fun. Jeff Green did awesome spotting for me and helped out a lot as well. Honestly can’t wait for Bristol, being a track I’ve actually raced at before unlike every other start I’ve had in this 21 car.”

    Gibbs led all 150 laps from pole position en route to victory. There were three cautions for 14 laps.

    Official Results following the Sprecher 150 at Milwaukee Mile:

    1. Ty Gibbs, led 150 laps
    2. Sam Mayer
    3. Daniel Dye
    4. Taylor Gray
    5. Sammy Smith
    6. Corey Heim
    7. Jesse Love
    8. Joey Iest
    9. Thad Moffitt
    10. Gracie Trotter
    11. Parker Retzlaff
    12. Nick Sanchez
    13. Rajah Caruth
    14. Ron Vandermeir Jr, 1 lap down
    15. Max Gutierrez, 2 laps down
    16. Connor Mosack, 3 laps down
    17. Alex Clubb, 7 laps down
    18. Jason Miles, 9 laps down
    19. Mason Diaz, 10 laps down
    20. Stephanie Moyer, 11 laps down
    21. Eric Caudell, OUT, Radiator
    22. Brad Smith, OUT, Handling
    23. Tony Cosentino, OUT, Vibration
    24. Arnout Kok, OUT, Did Not Start

    Up Next: The ARCA Menards Series will head to DuQuoin State Fairgrounds for the annual Southern Illinois 100 Sunday, Sept. 5, and will air live on MAV TV at 9 p.m./ET.

  • Sammy Smith dominates Pensacola 200 en route to first ARCA victory

    Sammy Smith dominates Pensacola 200 en route to first ARCA victory

    After qualifying on the pole, Joe Gibbs Racing driver, Sammy Smith, in his second season with the team, scored his first ARCA Menards East Series victory at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. Smith battled with Taylor Gray and then dominated the final segment by leading most of the laps.

    “I can’t thank the team enough, they did a really good job,” Smith told NBC Sports. “The first part of the race, we weren’t very good. We fought back and made some good adjustments. Can’t thank Mark McFarland (Crew Chief) and the whole Engine ice team enough for a great Toyota Camry.”

    The ARCA Menards East Series headed to Pensacola, Florida for the second race of the 2021 season. A total of 13 cars took the green flag, including Smith who qualified on the pole with a time of 17.49 seconds and 102.898 mph. There were two segment breaks, one at Lap 75 and another at Lap 150.

    Segment 1: Lap 1 – Lap 75

    There was plenty of action in the first segment, mainly between Taylor Gray and Smith. Smith and Gray swapped the lead multiple times before Smith had the advantage. The first caution of the race was on Lap 55 when the No. 12 of Stephanie Moyer, who was making her ARCA debut for Andy Hillenburg, was stalled in Turn(s) 3 and 4.

    The restart came on Lap 69, just six laps shy of the first halfway break. Gray, the Denver, North Carolina native, passed Smith for the lead and would remain the leader at the first segment break. Daniel Dye, Sammy Smith, Rajah Caruth, Mason Diaz, Parker Retzlaff, Joey Iest, Carson Kvapil, Max Gutierrez and Stephanie Moyer rounded out the Top 10.

    Second Segment: Lap 78 – Lap 150

    As the second segment got underway, there was a new leader in town as Daniel Dye, in the No. 43, took over the lead from Gray. Dye led for a brief while, but the lead ultimately went back to Gray. Shortly before halfway, Smith started to reel in race leader Gray and eventually passed Gray for the lead once again. Despite the back and forth between the two, Gray fought off Smith to be the leader once more at the second segment break. Smith, Dye, Caruth, Iest, Diaz, Retzlaff, Kvapil, Gutierrez and Moyer were the Top 10 when the red flag fell.

    Third segment: Lap 154 – Lap 200

    Just one caution slowed the final segment with 19 to go. The No. 12 of Moyer once again came to a stop in Turn 1, setting up a late-race restart with under 15 to go.

    The action got a little intense upfront as the leaders were jockeying for position and both Sammy Smith and Mason Diaz were looking for their first-ever wins in ARCA competition. However, when the checkered flag flew, Sammy Smith scored the victory by .044 seconds over Diaz.

    Unfortunately for Diaz, the Manassas, Virginia native, will have to wait for another race if he wants to have a shot at the victory.

    “(It) was actually a good night for us,” Diaz said to NBC Sports after his runner-up finish. “We restarted there in fifth in the last segment and worked our way through. On the last restart, I actually thought we had a chance for them, but I had nothing for them. Second place, that’s a good finish for us here. So far this year, nothing but top five’s and I hope we can carry that on.”

    There were four cautions for 15 laps and six lead changes among three different leaders.

    Official Results following the Pensacola 200 at Five Flags Speedway
    1. Sammy Smith, led 145 laps
    2. Mason Diaz
    3. Taylor Gray, led 53 laps
    4. Rajah Caruth
    5. Joey Iest
    6. Parker Retzlaff
    7. Max Gutierrez
    8. Stephanie Moyer
    9. Daniel Dye, led two laps, OUT, Radiator
    10. Richard Garvie
    11. Carson Kvapil, OUT, Vibration
    12. Dick Doheny, OUT, Electrical
    13. Wayne Peterson, OUT, Electrical

    Up Next: The ARCA Menards East Series’ next race is scheduled for Saturday, May 8 at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, live on NBC Sports Trackpass. A start time is yet to be announced for the event.

  • Ty Gibbs set for full ARCA schedule; Xfinity debut at Daytona road course

    Ty Gibbs set for full ARCA schedule; Xfinity debut at Daytona road course

    Joe Gibbs Racing announced that Ty Gibbs will contend for the 2021 ARCA Menards Series championship as he will also make his inaugural presence in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

    Gibbs, the 18-year-old grandson of NASCAR championship-winning team owner Joe Gibbs and a native from Charlotte, North Carolina, will be assuming a full-time driving role in the No. 18 Toyota Camry for JGR as he will contend for the 2021 ARCA Menards Series championship.

    Throughout the 2020 season, Gibbs recorded a season-high six ARCA Menards Series victories and one ARCA Menards Series East victory. In 16 of 20 ARCA Menards Series starts, Gibbs also recorded five poles, 12 top-five results, 14 top-10 results, 969 laps led and an average result of 4.4 as he contributed to the first ARCA Menards Series Owner’s Championship for Joe Gibbs Racing.

    “We want to build on the success that our team had last season,” Mark McFarland, crew chief of JGR’s ARCA program, said. “Ty works extremely hard to prepare each week, and it’s exciting to have him behind the wheel for every race and the opportunity to go after our goal of winning that championship.

    Along with his ARCA schedule, Gibbs will make his debut within NASCAR’s top three national touring series in 2021 as he will pilot the No. 54 Toyota Supra in the Xfinity Series event at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course on Saturday, February 20. Gibbs will serve as one of multiple competitors driving the No. 54 car throughout the 2020 Xfinity season, with Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. also slated to compete in at least one event while Chris Gayle will serve as the crew chief of the No. 54 team. The current schedule has Gibbs eligible to contend for the 2021 Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year title.

    “I’m pumped to run the full season in the ARCA Menards Series,” Ty Gibbs said. “[Crew Chief] Mark [McFarland] has put together an amazing team that gives me a chance to be successful every week. I’m also really excited to have the opportunity to work with [crew chief] Chris Gayle to make my debut in the Xfinity Series. I can’t imagine a better situation for me to learn and be able to compare notes, not only with my series teammates like Brandon [Jones], Harrison [Burton] and Daniel [Hemric], but also veterans like Kyle, Denny and Martin who I will share the car with.”

    “I’m looking forward to the upcoming season,” Chris Gayle added. “Ty has already shown a great deal of talent with each step he has taken in his career and I think the opportunity to also learn from his veteran teammates will be a huge benefit to his development.”

    Additional announcements regarding the full Xfinity Series schedule for Gibbs and Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 54 Toyota team will be announced at a later date.

  • Corey Heim takes ARCA victory at Kansas, Bret Holmes claims ARCA championship

    Corey Heim takes ARCA victory at Kansas, Bret Holmes claims ARCA championship

    The 2020 ARCA Menards Series season finally reached its conclusion with the season finale Friday night in the Heartland at Kansas Speedway.

    Only two drivers had a chance at the championship, Bret Holmes and Michael Self, and neither has ever won an ARCA title. While the battle was competitive on track, the 2020 championship eventually went to Holmes after five years of trying. With determination and a never give up attitude even when at times he wanted to give up racing entirely, Holmes finally prevailed.

    “It’s been a tough road, for sure,” said Holmes. “Everything we’ve done has just been phenomenal this season, every decision we’ve made. To come out and not even know we were going to run the full season, and to finish it off like this, is really special.”

    With an ARCA title on the line, there was also a race winner to be had in the 100 lap race as well. Three segments split up the 100 lapper, with the first segment ending on Lap 30, second on Lap 60 and the final on Lap 100. Ty Gibbs, who ultimately took home the Owner’s Championship qualified on the pole.

    Segment 1: Lap 1 – Lap 30

    The action was intense early for championship contender Michael Self. Self, in the No. 25 SinClair Lubricants Toyota, started to experience fuel pick up problems on Lap 21 of the race. The issue eventually put the Park City, Utah native a lap down through the rest of the segment, but he was the recipient of the free pass when Segment 1 ended.

    Also experiencing problems was the polesitter, Ty Gibbs. At Lap 28, the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing team pushed the Monster Energy Toyota behind the wall for multiple laps. It wasn’t until the end of the second segment that Gibbs would return to the racetrack, but multiple laps down.

    As the first segment wrapped up on Lap 30, Venturini Motorsports driver Corey Heim was in first, with Holmes, Derek Griffith, Hailie Deegan, Self, Drew Dollar, Dylan Lupton, Kris Wright, Scott Melton, and Eric Caudell completing the Top 10.

    Segment 2: Lap 33 – Lap 60

    The second segment was caution-free with Heim leading the field to the second break that occurred on Lap 60.

    Segment 3: Lap 64 – Lap 100

    With Heim pulling away from the field, the focus was on the two title contenders, Self and Holmes, who were battling in the top five. Self rebounded to a fifth-place running position after the fuel pickup problem earlier in the race.

    As the checkered flag flew on Lap 100, Corey Heim collected his first-ever checkered flag while Self, unfortunately, fell short for a second consecutive year. Holmes finally took home his first ARCA Menards Series championship in 81 starts since 2016. Self was runner-up in the points finishing 12 points behind Holmes.

    “Really surreal right now, man,” said Heim of his first ARCA Menards Series victory. “I’m kind of at a loss for words. Craftsman, Toyota, Venturini Motorsports, all the people who make it happen, couldn’t have done it without them. [Crew chief Kevin Reed Jr.] here, he did an awesome job just dialing me in. We were a little loose throughout the race, but I couldn’t have asked for much more on that last run, and here we are in victory lane. Couldn’t be happier.”

    Heim dominated the race by leading 82 of the scheduled 100 laps, en route to his first ARCA Menards Series victory in just 16 starts.

    There were two leaders among two different lead changes.

    Official Results following the Speediatrics 150 at Kansas Speedway.

    1. Corey Heim, led 82 laps
    2. Bret Holmes, led 18 laps
    3. Derek Griffith
    4. Dylan Lupton
    5. Michael Self
    6. Hailie Deegan
    7. Kris Wright
    8. Drew Dollar, 1 lap down
    9. Scott Melton, 3 laps down
    10. Eric Caudell, 4 laps down
    11. Tim Richmond, 6 laps down
    12. Mike Basham, 9 laps down
    13. Chandler Smith, 19 laps down
    14. Ty Gibbs, 40 laps down
    15. Brad Smith, OUT, Engine
    16. Owen Smith, OUT, Clutch
    17. Wayne Peterson, OUT, Brakes
    18. Alex Clubb, OUT, Vibration

    Up Next: After a hectic season and some major rescheduling, the 2020 ARCA Menards Series season is finally completed. Now, the focus will turn to the off-season and toward the 2021 season as well. Normally, an ARCA Open Test at Daytona takes place in January, but nothing has been officially announced as of this writing.

  • Ty Gibbs claims ARCA Menards Series victory at Memphis

    Ty Gibbs claims ARCA Menards Series victory at Memphis

    After winning at Winchester Speedway a week prior to Memphis, Ty Gibbs had high hopes of winning at Memphis International Raceway. Gibbs started on the pole but lost ground early due to potentially saving his equipment and tires. However, Gibbs made the pass for the lead and the eventual win following the Segment 3 restart on Lap 153 for his sixth ARCA Menards Series win of 2020.

    “Yeah, this (win) means a lot here,” Gibbs told MAVTV. “My guys worked hard and we never gave up, and we came away with the win, was ale to beat all these guys out here. It (the win) was hard to work for, but we just never gave up. It was a fun time and thank you Tennessee.”

    For the first time time in 19 years, ARCA Menards Series competition returned to Memphis International Raceway for race No. 18 of the year. Three segments made up the 200 lap event, with the first ending on Lap 75 and the second at Lap 150. The Sioux Chief PowerPex 200 also marked the championship race of the Sioux Chief Showdown Championship.

    Segment 1: Lap 1 – Lap 75

    Gibbs led early on in the Sioux Chief PowerPex 200 but was passed by the No. 23 of Bret Holmes on Lap 18. Meanwhile, the No. 15 entry of Drew Dollar struggled early on and nearly made contact with the No. 12 of D.L. Wilson on the backstretch. On Lap 20, two laps after Gibbs lost the lead, he dropped as far as back as eighth in the running order.

    In addition, 2020 breakout star Sam Mayer, rallied from the back after the Wisconsin driver started in the rear due to changing a tire when qualifying was complete. Mayer cracked the top five at Lap 58.

    When Lap 75 came for the first segment break, it was Bret Holmes who led the way with Dollar, Mayer, Deegan, Self, Gibbs, Moffitt, Wright, and Chandler Smith rounding out the Top 10.

    Segment 2: Lap 80 – Lap 150

    Just one caution flew for the second segment when the No. 15 of Drew Dollar made contact with the No. 32 of Gus Dean entering Turns 3 and 4. Dollar would also collect Deegan in the process as well which spun her No. 4 Monster Energy car sideways a little bit.

    Surprisingly, this was the only caution that was seen in the second segment, which was once again dominated by the No. 23 of Holmes. Gibbs, Mayer, Deegan, Gray, Self, Thad Moffitt, Smith, Dollar and Wright were the Top 10.

    Segment 3: Lap 153 – Lap 200

    The changing moment of the race came on the final segment restart. Holmes lost the lead to Gibbs and begin riding around in second. Once it looked as though Gibbs would check out a caution flew with seven to go as the No. 17 of Taylor Gray suffered a right-rear flat tire thus setting up a late-race restart with three laps to go.

    Even though Holmes tried his best with very few laps remaining, Ty Gibbs went on to claim the eighth checkered flag of his ARCA Menards Series career. Sam Mayer, Bret Holmes, Thad Moffitt, and Chandler Smith completed the top five.

    After finishing in the second position, Mayer collected the 2020 Sioux Chief Showdown Championship.

    “We didn’t win the battle, but we won the damn war,” Mayer, the 2020 Sioux Chief Showdown Champion said. “I’m so proud of these guys, it’s just awesome. What a race. This track was so green all day, and the tires were wearing on the right-front after the first (pit) stop. We were cutting it close, but had enough to finish there (at the end).”

    Sam Mayer, driver of the #21 Chevy Accessories Chevrolet celebrates winning the Sioux Chief Showdown Championship for the ARCA Menards Series at Memphis International Raceway on Saturday, September 26, 2020. (Barry Cantrell/ARCA Racing)

    There were four cautions for 17 laps and three lead changes among four different leaders.

    Official Results following the Sioux Chief PowerPex 200 at Memphis International Raceway.

    1. Ty Gibbs, led 58 laps
    2. Sam Mayer
    3. Bret Holmes, led 135 laps
    4. Thad Moffitt
    5. Chandler Smith
    6. Michael Self
    7. Hailie Deegan
    8. ,Drew Dollar, led 7 laps
    9. Taylor Gray, 2 laps down
    10. Kris Wright, 2 laps down
    11. Gus Dean, 5 laps down
    12. Mike Basham, 8 laps down
    13. Tim Richmond, 13 laps down
    14. Eric Caudell, OUT, Battery
    15. Brad Smith, OUT, Transmission
    16. D.L. Wilson, OUT, Overheating
    17. Wayne Peterson, OUT, Vibration
    18. Richard Garvie, OUT, Did Not Start

    Up Next: The ARCA Menards Series will head to the dirt tracks of Illinois State Fairgrounds for the Illinois Truck & Equipment Allen Crowe 100 on Sunday, Oct. 4, live at 3 p.m. ET on MAVTV.