ARCA RE/MAX SERIES NEWS AND RUMORS
- Larry Clement, Matt Carter
returning at Iowa: Larry Clement and Matt Carter will be
reuniting for the running of the Prairie Meadows 200 at Iowa Speedway
July 11. The event will mark the return of both to ARCA RE/MAX Series
competition since the season-opening ARCA 200 at Daytona. "I've been
trying to put a package together for this race," said Clement. "This is
my hometown, and the track is very important to me." (ARCARacing.com)
(07-02-09)
- Andy Belmont Racing and Tom
Hessert part ways UPDATE to RAB Racing: RaceTalkRadio.com
reported on Tuesday
night that Andy Belmont Racing and Tom Hessert have parted
ways. Kevin Belmont will reportedly move to the No. 1 while
the team looks for another driver for the No. 14. (06-25-09)
UPDATE:
Tom Hessert posted on his Twitter page that he has joined RAB Racing.
(06-30-09)
UPDATE 2:
RaceTalkRadio.com reports that Ken Schrader Racing will support the No.
09 team in ARCA. (07-01-09)
- Venturini Motorsports tests
Johanna Long at Iowa: Pensacola, Florida driver Johanna
Long, in a Venturini Motorsports-prepared Chevrolet, made her first
laps in an ARCA RE/MAX Series car Tuesday in the open test at Iowa
Speedway. Long, 17, recently made headlines at Five Flags Speedway in
Pensacola, Florida with a victory in the super late model Blizzard
Series. (ARCARacing.com)
(07-01-09)
- Patrick Sheltra to compete in Daytona NASCAR Nationwide race:
Officials from MacDonald Motorsports and Sheltra Motorsports jointly
announced today that ARCA veteran Patrick Sheltra has been tapped to
drive the No. 81 D.H. Griffin-Quality Turf-Buffalo Wings &
Rings
Dodge Charger in Friday’s Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona
International Speedway. “I would like to thank MacDonald
Motorsports for this opportunity,” said Sheltra. “I
wasn’t planning on running this race but all the components
glued
together and now we can focus on having a good race." (Sheltra
Motorsports PR) (06-29-09)
- ARCA finds sponsor for Most
Popular Driver Award: Officials from ARCA announced
today [June 26] that National Speed Sport News will sponsor the Most
Popular Driver Award in the ARCA RE/MAX Series in 2009. Voting for the
fan-based award takes place exclusively on ARCA's social networking
website, ARCA Nation.com. (ARCARacing.com)
(06-29-09)
- Leslie Racing selling team: Leslie
Racing has placed an advertisment on RacingJunk.com advertising a
hauler, three cars, and three motors for $225,000. Spare
equipment is also included. (06-22-09)
- Bill Griffith Racing forming ARCA
team?: Bill Griffith is looking to form an ARCA
team for the 2010 season. (06-22-09)
- Robb Brent released from hospital:
Robb Brent is on his way home from Mansfield to his home in Shelby
Township,
Michigan. Brent, who was involved in a lap 44 on-track
incident, exited his No. 36 Dodge under his own power following the
turn three incident. Alert and conscious, he was placed in an ambulance
at the track for initial observation and later transported to a local
hospital for further evaluation where he was observed and released last
night. (ARCARacing.com)
(06-22-09)
- Buster Bennet to attempt Iowa:
Buster Bennet will attempt to make his ARCA RE/MAX series debut at Iowa
driving a No. 98 Ford for Bennet Miles Racing. The team is
currently seeking sponsorship. (06-21-09)
- Steve Arpin done after Iowa?:
Don Radebaugh reported during the Mansfield race that Steve Arpin may
not compete after Iowa due to sponsorship issues. (06-20-09)
- Jake Crum to make first start
with Venturini: Venturini Motorsports [is] locked and
loaded for [its] much anticipated Mansfield debut with UARA Stars
Champion Jake Crum. The Tim Richmond Memorial ARCA RE/MAX 200 will mark
Crum's first ARCA RE/MAX Series start and first with the famed team. "I
am really excited for this great opportunity that I have been given,"
exclaimed Jake Crum. "Venturini Motorsports is without a doubt the best
team in the ARCA Series and I am truly humbled at this great
opportunity." (Venturini Motorsports PR) (06-20-09)
- Hal Martin to make debut with
Cunningham:
The Tim Richmond Memorial will be Hal [Martin]’s first
ARCA/REMAX
event. He will drive the number 4 Cunningham Dodge. He plans
to
participate in a few more ARCA/REMAX events this year and then focus on
competing in the entire 2010 season. (Hal
Martin PR) (06-17-09)
- Parker Kligerman to race at
Mansfield:
The victory [at Michigan] earned Kligerman at least one more race in
the 77. The team will compete in the Tim Richmond Memorial Saturday at
Mansfield Motorsports Park in Mansfield, OH. (TheHour.com)
(06-15-09)
- Justin Lofton announces new
sponsor: [Justin] Lofton will be sporting the
red-white-and-blue colors of Valvoline [at Michigan]. "The
Valvoline Instant Oil Change Team is excited to partner with Justin and
the Eddie Sharp Racing team this week at Michigan," said Kevin Mueller,
Regional Manager for VIOC. "Just like the season Justin is
having, VIOC is a cut above our competition, and this race gives us the
opportunity to show our customers that on and off the track Valvoline
Instant Oil Change is about quality and speed. Justin Lofton is a
driver to watch now and in the future, and so is VIOC." Lofton's #6
Eddie Sharp Racing Toyota will carry a unique paint scheme designed by
CGS Imaging of Maumee, OH. (ARCARacing.com)
(06-11-09)
- Kyle Martel attempting four races:
[Kyle Martel] is tentatively scheduled to race four races in the [ARCA]
series this season, two at Rockingham and two at Pocono. (PennLive.com)
(06-09-09)
- Justin Marks returning with
Venturini: Justin Marks will make a return to stock car
racing for the first time since the ARCA Talladega race in 2008 this
weekend at Michigan Int'l Speedway. Marks will be competing in
the
ARCA RE/MAX Series this weekend for Venturini Motorsports. He also
plans to compete for Venturini Motorsports at Kansas Speedway on
October 1. (ARCARacing.com)
(06-09-09)
- Ken Weaver out at Cunningham
UPDATE:
Ken Weaver is no longer on the
Pocono ARCA 200 entry list. Chase Miller is listed as the
driver of the No. 4 Landmark Dodge. (06-04-09)
UPDATE: "We
had
already been talking to Chase (Miller) about running [Pocono]," said
Mark Gibson, General Manager for Cunningham Motorsports. "At that time,
we were going to field three cars. But when Ken (Weaver) decided he
didn't want to do this anymore, the opportunity presented itself for
Chase to get in the 4 car. Good chance Chase will be in the car at
Michigan too." (ARCARacing.com)
(06-05-09)
- Peterson Motorsports to field
three entries at Pocono: Peterson Motorsports
will field three entries at Pocono Raceway. Barry Fitzgerald
will return to the No. 06, Zachary Gibson will drive the No. 0
Chevrolet Monte Carlo, and Wayne Peterson will drive a 2008 Ford
Fusion. (06-01-09)
- Patrick Sheltra denies blame for
Toledo last lap crash: Two days following [Toledo], ARCA
officials handed down [Patrick Sheltra's penalty]: fined $500 and
placed on probation for the remainder of the 2009 season for
retaliatory driving. "Five-hundred dollar fine and probation for the
rest of the year. I was not happy about that, and I certainly don't
agree with it. As I've said all along, there was nothing intentional up
there. My left-front tire was flat; and I was doing all I could to stay
with it. The last thing on my mind was wrecking someone" [said
Sheltra]. (ARCARacing.com)
(05-31-09)
- Cayuga race cancelled:
Officials of the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) and Cayuga
Motor Speedway today announced that the ARCA RE/MAX Series race
scheduled for June 28 at Cayuga, has been cancelled and will not be
rescheduled. "We at Cayuga Motor Speedway accept responsibility for
this unfortunate circumstance," said track President Jerry Santucci.
"ARCA is a first class racing organization and we regret the
inconvenience this causes the series, its teams, sponsors and fans. We
worked diligently, but as deadlines approached it became increasingly
apparent we would not be able to promote and conduct the event
successfully due to issues within our ownership group." (ARCARacing.com)
(05-27-09)
- Chad Beahr to attempt Pocono
UPDATE Herd Racing: USAR ProCup driver Chad Beahr will
attempt Pocono with Faith Motorsports. He will drive a No. 89
Dodge. (05-18-09)
UPDATE:
Herd Racing will attempt the June 6 ARCA Re/Max Series event at Pocono
Raceway, fielding veteran driver Chad Beahr in the #89 Racing With
Jesus Dodge, the team announced May 27. Herd Racing's usual
car number, 75, is being used by another team in the ARCA Series. The
#89 ARCA entry will bear associate sponsorship from Smith's
Construction, a West Virginia-based residential and remodeling
contractor, as well as associate sponsorship from ECO-FIRST and
Fidelity Printing. (Herd Racing)
(05-27-09)
- Andy Belmont Racing signs
development driver: Tyler Shoemaker is proud to announce
that he has signed a driver development contract with Andy Belmont
Racing (ABR). Shoemaker comes to ABR as an established midget &
410 sprint car driver. “I am very excited about teaming up
with Andy & his team in the ARCA RE/MAX series,” said
Tyler. “Andy Belmont Racing is a strong team and I am looking
forward to working them. I’ll be looking for the seat time
and experience to learn the tracks.” (TylerShoemaker.com)
(05-22-09)
- Patrick Sheltra fined for
retaliatory driving: Driver Patrick Sheltra has been fined
$500 and placed on probation for the remainder of the 2009 season for
retaliatory driving. (ARCARacing.com)
(05-21-09)
- Andy Hillenburg fined:
Car owner Andy Hillenburg has been fined $250 for unauthorized
distribution of audio content from the [Menards 200 at Toledo]. (ARCARacing.com)
(05-21-09)
- Paul Menard returning to ARCA at
Toledo: NASCAR driver Paul Menard gives credit to the ARCA
RE/MAX Series for helping him develop as a driver on the way up to the
Sprint Cup Series. So, when the opportunity to revisit his short track
roots in the series' visit to Toledo Speedway came his way, Menard
jumped at the chance to enter Sunday's Menards 200. "I love short track
racing and I'm looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of an
ARCA car," said Menard. "From what I've seen, this year has proved to
be one of the most competitive seasons in ARCA RE/MAX Series history,
so the Menards 200 should be a great race to take part in. My thanks
goes out to Frank Kimmel and the entire Kimmel Racing team for
preparing the car that I'm going to drive on Sunday." [Matt] Crafton
will practice and qualify the No. 98 Johns Manville Ford on Saturday
before turning the wheel over to Menard. (ARCARacing.com) (05-12-09)
- Peterson Motorsports adds new
driver for Toledo:
Zach Gibson from Richwood, Ohio will make his ARCA RE/MAX debut in the
No. 0 '05 Monte Carlo. Zach clinched the 2008 Buckeye Super
Sprint Series Championship by August 23rd at Sandusky Speedway, in the
series inaugural season. (PetersonMotorsports.net)
(05-11-09)
- Norm Benning selling team:
Norm Benning Racing is for sale. The team has five cars and
owner points from the No. 84. (ARCA
Classifieds) (05-11-09)
- Chad Finley running partial
schedule: [Chad Finley] will make five appearances on the
ARCA circuit with his debut set for May 16-17. 2009 at the series home
base of Toledo Speedway in Toledo, Ohio! Finley will also make
appearances at Iowa Speedway, Berlin Raceway, back to Toledo in
September, and the season finale at Rockingham Speedway. (ChadFinley.com)
(05-10-09)
- Dakoda Armstrong to make ARCA
debut at Toledo: 17 year-old USAC Sprint Car
veteran Dakoda Armstrong will make his ARCA debut at Toledo driving for
Venturini Motorsports-Schrader Racing. He will drive a No. 15
Chevrolet. (05-10-09)
- Ruby Tuesday extends sponsorship
with George Jr: Ruby Tuesday, Inc. has announced a
long-term partnership agreement with ARCA RE/MAX Series driver Tim
George Jr. "A great partnership starts with a great Driver
and a great Team," said Mark Young, Ruby Tuesday SVP/Chief Marketing
Officer. "Both Tim George Jr. and Eddie Sharp Racing represent what we
believe in as a brand. They are passionate about what they do,
committed to always doing it the right way, and strive to be the best
in all aspects of their business." (TimGeorgeJr.com)
(05-10-09)
- Bobby Gerhart Racing looking for
funded driver for car #5: Bobby Gerhart Racing #5 Car
Available for single or multiple events from Kentucky Speedway on.
Includes New Jersey Motorsports Park, all short tracks and speedways.
For funded drivers only looking for excellent equipment. (ARCA
Classifieds) (05-07-09)
- Kevin Belmont takes over #14 for
remainder of the season: After a seven year hiatus, Kevin
Belmont will be back in the driver's seat for the Drive Smart Buckle-Up
Kentucky 150 at Kentucky Speedway this Saturday, May 9. Additionally,
Belmont plans to compete in the remainder of the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX
Series season. Brothers Andy & Kevin Belmont are not
strangers to working as a team in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. Not only did
Kevin drive for Andy Belmont Racing, but he served as Andy's crew chief
during the 2001 season with Andy finishing third in driver's points.
"I'm really happy to be back with Andy Belmont Racing & the
ARCA RE/MAX Series," Kevin said. Marketing partner announcements for
ABR & Kevin Belmont are forthcoming. (ABR PR)
(05-07-09)
- Michel Disdier signs 10 race
contract UPDATE:
Michel Disdier has signed a contract for ten races this season with
[Bowsher Racing]. Disdier’s objective is to garner
as much
experience as possible to achieve his goal of racing in NASCAR in 2010.
(Disdier PR)
(04-30-09)
UPDATE:
Michel's new sponsor is the French brake pad maker Carbone Lorraine
whose brake pads require no break-in period. The immediate
grip of the Carbone Lorraine brake pads which are made exclusively for
racing cars, insure tremendous performance stability. (Disdier PR)
(05-07-09)
- Sheltra finds Talladega
sponsorship: Sheltra Motorsports announced today that
Buffalo Wings & Rings has joined the team as the primary
marketing partner for Friday's ARCA RE/MAX 250 at Talladega
Superspeedway. Talladega marks the third straight event where
Buffalo Wings & Rings has been aligned with the Whitesville,
Kentucky based Sheltra Motorsports team. Friday's event however
signifies the first ARCA RE/MAX Series event where the growing
restaurant chain has tackled the Motorsports environment as a primary
marketing partner. (Sheltra
Motorsports PR) (04-23-09)
- Kelly Bires to drive for Win-Tron
at Talladega: Win-Tron Racing officials announced the
signing of [Kelly] Bires as the driver of the No. 32 Wolfpack Rentals
Toyota Camry in Friday's ARCA RE/MAX 250. "We're going there to win,"
Bires said on Monday afternoon. "The Win-Tron team is proven with fast
equipment. It's a great group of guys, and this is a great opportunity
for me to work with everyone at Win-Tron Racing. (Win-Tron
Racing PR) (04-23-09)
- Ryan Crane to make debut driving
for Phoenix Racing: Ryan Crane has announced that he has
teamed up with James Finch's Phoenix Racing team [for the Carolina
200". To be partnering up with Phoenix Racing, a team with both
Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series ties, for the Carolina 200 is about as
good as it gets," said Crane. "Racing in the ARCA RE/MAX Series will be
something new for me especially being behind the wheel of the heavier
cars, but I know with all the guys from Phoenix Racing and crew chief
Mike Garvey on my side it should make my transition pretty smooth." (ARCARacing.com)
(04-15-09)
- Jeremy Petty joins Hixson
Motorsports for the season: Hixson Motorsports is
currently seeking marketing partners and sponsors for the #23
Chevrolets and Dodges driven by Smolan, Kansas native Jeremy Petty, who
is making a bid for ARCA's 2009 Rookie of the Year. [Hixson
Motorsports] also seeking marketing partners and sponsors for Ron Cox
who will run a limited schedule in 2009 in the #28 and #57 Chevrolets. (Hixson Motorsports)
(04-11-09)
- Ryan Crane running limited season:
Ryan Crane plans on competing in four ARCA races in 2009. He
will
compete at both Rockingham races, Chicagoland, and Kansas. (04-11-09)
- Matt Carter, Clement Racing done
in ARCA?: Matt Carter and Clement Racing will
not compete at Salem. Sponsorship could not be found to run
the full season. Carter and team hope to compete in NASCAR
with Stine Seed as a sponsor. (04-01-09)
- Brad Smith finds sponsorship for
the season: Brad Smith Motorsports and ApplianceZone.com
announced today a marketing partnership under which ApplianceZone.com
will be the primary sponsor on Smith's no. 26 Fords for the remainder
of the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series season. The Indiana-based company will
kick off the new partnership in its home state in this Sunday's
Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 presented by Federated Car Care at Salem
Speedway. "We're glad to welcome ApplianceZone.com aboard for the 2009
season," said Smith, who will make his 193rd career ARCA RE/MAX Series
start at Salem. "ApplianceZone.com is coming aboard at a time when we
really need a marketing partner. We look forward to representing them
this year and well into the future. They strike me as a "blue-collar"
type business and we are a blue-collar race team. It's a great match." (Brad Smith Racing
PR) (04-01-09)
- Fischer done at Venturini
Motorsports? UPDATE: Ryan Fischer may not compete full
time for
Venturini Motorsports. Funding has not been secured.
(Thunder Crew)
(03-28-09)
UPDATE:
Ryan Fischer is listed on the Salem entry list. (04-01-09)
