ARCA Menards Series

The ARCA Menards Series is an American stock car series, the premier division of the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA). It is considered a minor, semi-professional league of stock car racing, used as a feeder series into the three national touring series of NASCAR,[1][2] and hosts events at a variety of track types including superspeedways, road courses, and dirt tracks.[3] It also provides hobby drivers a chance to experience racing at large tracks used in the three national touring series in NASCAR. The series has had a longstanding relationship with NASCAR, including using former NASCAR Cup Series cars, hosting events in the same race weekend such as Daytona Speedweeks, and naming an award after NASCAR founder Bill France, Sr.[3][4][5] However, the series was not officially affiliated with NASCAR until its buyout on April 27, 2018.[6]

ARCA Menards Series
CategoryStock cars
CountryUnited States
Inaugural season1953
ManufacturersChevrolet
Ford
Toyota
Engine suppliersIlmor
Tire suppliersGeneral Tire
Drivers' championNick Sanchez
Makes' championToyota
Teams' championKyle Busch Motorsports
Official websiteARCA Racing
Current season

The series was known as the ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series from 1986 until 1991, the ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series from 1993 until 1995, and as the ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series from 1996 to 2000.[7][8] The series was sponsored by real estate company RE/MAX as the ARCA RE/MAX Series from 2001 until 2009.[9] Midwest-based home improvement company Menards began sponsoring the series in 2010 jointly with RE/MAX, and became the lone presenting sponsor in 2011,[9] and from then until February 2019 the series was known as the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

History
Michael Simko's ARCA car at Salem Speedway, Indiana

The series was founded in Toledo, Ohio in 1953 as the Midwest Association for Race Cars (MARC), a local touring group in the Midwestern United States.[4] The series was founded by John Marcum, a friend and former competitor of Bill France, Sr. and former NASCAR employee, who created MARC as a northern counterpart to the southern-based NASCAR. Early drivers included Iggy Katona and Nelson Stacy.[5]

The series became a part of Daytona Speedweeks in 1964 at the request of Bill France, allowing the series to open its season alongside the Daytona 500.[4][10] That same year, the series name was changed from MARC (Midwest Association for Race Cars) to the current ARCA (Automobile Racing Club of America) as a suggestion from France to give the series more national exposure.[5]

The series races on a variety of tracks from small ovals to superspeedways such as Daytona International Speedway. In 2008 the series returned to racing on a road course.[11] The series is currently headed by Marcum's grandson, Ron Drager.[5]

Due to the similarity between the cars and racetracks of the two series, the ARCA Racing Series is frequently used to develop young drivers looking to break into the top three series of NASCAR. The series has spawned such drivers as Benny Parsons, Ken Schrader, and Kyle Petty, and helped more recent NASCAR Cup Series drivers Kyle Busch, Justin Allgaier, Casey Mears, and Sam Hornish Jr. get acclimated to stock cars.[1][12] Young drivers will often race in the series opener at Daytona International Speedway to gain NASCAR approval to run at superspeedways in the Truck or Xfinity Series.[13] Other drivers, such as 10-time champion Frank Kimmel and 9-time race winner Bobby Gerhart remain in the series as opposed to pursuing a full-time career in NASCAR.[7] NASCAR regulars, notably Ken Schrader, are known to frequent the series as well.[12] Other notable drivers, such as Benny Chastain and Andy Jankowiak, race in the series as a hobby.

Drivers as young as 17 may be approved to drive on speedway tracks, and drivers as young as 15 years can be permitted to drive at courses less than one mile in length and road courses. This is one year younger than the minimum age of 16 in the Craftsman Truck Series (also for short tracks and road courses only). Drivers must be 18 to race in either of the two superspeedway events the series hosts at Daytona and Talladega.[14][15]

An Indiana-based indie game developer created ARCA Sim Racing '08 to simulate the RE/MAX championship.[16]

From 1995 until 2016, the Hoosier Racing Tire company was the series tire supplier, with the tires being branded in 2016 by their business partner Continental AG's General Tire. Continental acquired Hoosier in October 2016.[17]

On April 27, 2018, it was announced that the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) had bought out the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), though 2018 and 2019 seasons continued as planned.[6] The ARCA Menards Series plans to retain its name for the 2020 season, while the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West will rebrand as the ARCA Menards Series East and West, respectively. On October 2, 2019, NASCAR and ARCA announced the creation of a ten-race short track and road course slate called the ARCA Racing Series Showdown, with drivers from all three series eligible to compete.[18]

In January 2019, ARCA announced that every race for the 2019 season would be broadcast live on television. Eight races were broadcast between FS1 and FS2, while the remaining 12 races ran on MAVTV. This was the first time in series history that every race in a season was broadcast live.[19] Starting in 2023, all races will be broadcast on FS1 or FS2.[20]

ARCA Menards Series cars
2013 Rookie of the Year Justin Boston

The series was known for using veteran steel-bodied Generation 4 cars from the NASCAR Cup Series, running cars until they are several years old and even after a model's discontinuation in the Cup Series. For example, Bobby Gerhart's winning Daytona car in 1999 used a chassis built by Hendrick Motorsports in 1989. Following the transition of the Cup and Xfinity Series to the Car of Tomorrow in 2007 and 2010 respectively, the ARCA Series continued to use the 2007-style models of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS (re-branded as the Impala), Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, and Dodge Charger. The carbureted V8 engines used by the series are also built under similar specifications to their NASCAR counterparts, and occasionally purchased from NASCAR teams.[2][3][5][21] In spite of the similarities, ARCA racing is much more affordable than its more popular counterpart, with car owner Larry Clement estimating the required budget to run an ARCA car as "10 percent of what a NASCAR Cup Series budget is."[12]

ARCA Ilmor 396 engine

On August 1, 2014, ARCA president Ron Drager announced a new engine package option for the 2015 season, in addition to the current open motor rules package. The package is called the ARCA Ilmor 396 engine, alternately known as the ARCA Control Engine (ACE). Developed by Ilmor, which has also developed engines for the IndyCar Series, the engine is a "purpose-built powerplant" using Holley electronic fuel injection and based on the Chevrolet LS engine family that is able to deliver 700 brake horsepower (520 kW) and 500 pound force-feet (680 N⋅m) of torque. The engine costs $35,000 to build and $15,000 to be re-built, and allows teams to use the same engine at all track types for up to 1,500 miles (2,400 km) between re-builds.[2][22][23][24]

The Ilmor engine debuted during testing at Daytona International Speedway in December 2014, with Sean Corr's Ilmor-powered #48 Ford topping the speed charts at an average of 188.478 miles per hour (303.326 km/h) in a time of 47.743 seconds.[2][25] The new engine has generated controversy, with some teams that use the former engine package believing that their motors will become obsolete and converting to the new package will be too costly. Teams and outside engine builders also cannot perform maintenance on the engines, and minimal tuning is allowed (including a specification lubricant from Valvoline). The spec engine also reduces manufacturer identity for teams, with construction based on the Chevrolet engine package and branded as an Ilmor. Non-Ilmor engines, meanwhile, are subject to intake and RPM restrictions to maintain performance limits relative to the new package.[2][14][15][24]

Composite car bodies
A composite-body Ford Fusion driven by Ty Majeski in 2016.

On November 4, 2014, at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NASCAR president Mike Helton unveiled a new body style for the K&N Pro Series East and West that would also be eligible for use in ARCA competition, based on the Sprint Cup Series Gen 6 models of the Chevrolet SS (A re-badged Holden), Ford Fusion, and Toyota Camry (no Dodge option was offered due to a lack of factory support). The new body, developed with Five Star Race Car Bodies, is constructed of a composite laminate blend and designed with easily replaceable body panels, to reduce the costs of fabrication, and to eliminate on-track debris after accidents. The composite body is also significantly lighter than traditional steel bodies.[26][27] The composite body debuted at preseason testing at Daytona, with the intent of approving it for tracks over a mile in length.[28]

The body style was made eligible in the 2015 ARCA season only on tracks one mile or shorter in length, with the traditional steel bodies running alongside.[26][29] The composite bodies made their superspeedway debut at Pocono Raceway on June 3, 2016.[27][30] In 2018, ARCA began to phase out the Steel bodies, mandating all composite bodies at Daytona and Talladega. They were then mandated for all tracks over 3⁄4 mile (1.2 km) in 2019, and all tracks in 2020.[31] In 2022, the Ford Fusion was replaced by the Ford Mustang, but was not widely adopted by Ford teams until 2023.[32]

Specifications
The templates for Gen-4 ARCA cars at Road America in 2013.

[14][15]

  • Engine displacement: 350–360–396 cubic inches (5,740–5,900–6,490 cc) pushrod V8
  • Transmission: 4-speed manual
  • Weight: 3,400 lb (1,500 kg) minimum (steel); 3,300 lb (1,500 kg) (composite); without driver
  • Power output: ~700 brake horsepower (520 kW) unrestricted
  • Fuel: Sunoco unleaded gasoline
  • Fuel capacity: 18 US gallons (68 L; 15 imp gal) or 22 US gallons (83 L; 18 imp gal)
  • Fuel delivery:
  • Compression ratio: 12:1
  • Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
  • Wheelbase:
    • 105 inches (2,700 mm) – except restrictor plate tracks
    • 110 inches (2,800 mm) – all tracks
  • Car body:
    • Steel (Gen 4) – Fit to templates
    • Composite (Gen 6) – Unmodified
  • Rear spoiler: Minimum angle 65 degrees (steel); 70 degrees (composite)
  • Steering: Power, recirculating ball

Championship results
Tim Steele during the Pocono ARCA race June 1996. Steele would win the championship that year.
10-time Champion Frank Kimmel in his Menards Toyota in 2013.

Below is the list of all-time ARCA Racing Series champions, along with the Rookie of the Year and Bill France Four Crown award winners.

The Rookie of the Year award – currently sponsored by Scott Paper Company – is given to the rookie that scores the most points at the end of the season. Winners have included future NASCAR drivers Benny Parsons, Davey Allison, Jeremy Mayfield, Michael McDowell, and Parker Kligerman.

The Bill France Four Crown award, inaugurated in 1984, is a prize given to the driver with the most points at four specific events, combining dirt ovals, short ovals, superspeedways and road courses. The award was known as the Bill France Triple Crown prior to 2009, when the road course component was added to the competition. Future Winston Cup Series star Davey Allison won the first Four Crown. Frank Kimmel is the top Bill France Four Crown winner with seven titles.[3][33][34][35]

Other awards include the Superspeedway Challenge (Owners only), the Short Track Challenge (Drivers only), the Pole Award (most poles), the Marcum Award, the ARCA Motorsports Media Award, the Bob Loga Memorial Scholarship, the Spirit Award, Most Popular Driver Award, Most Improved Driver, and Engine Mechanic of the Year.[36][8]

Year Drivers
Champion		 Rookie
of the Year		 Bill France
Four Crown		 Sioux Chief Showdown
(Drivers Only)		 Speedway Challenge
(Owners Only)
2022 Nick Sanchez Daniel Dye Daniel Dye Sammy Smith No. 2 Max Siegel
2021 Ty Gibbs Nick Sanchez Ty Gibbs Ty Gibbs No. 20 Billy Venturini
2020 Bret Holmes Hailie Deegan Bret Holmes Sam Mayer No. 23 Stacy Holmes
2019 Christian Eckes Tommy Vigh Jr. Bret Holmes[37] Christian Eckes No. 22 Chad Bryant
2018 Sheldon Creed Zane Smith Zane Smith Sheldon Creed No. 28 Matthew Miller
2017 Austin Theriault Riley Herbst Austin Theriault Austin Theriault No. 52 Ken Schrader
2016 Chase Briscoe Dalton Sargeant Chase Briscoe Chase Briscoe No. 55 Billy Venturini
2015 Grant Enfinger Kyle Weatherman Kyle Weatherman Kyle Weatherman No. 54 Daniel Kurzejewski
2014 Mason Mitchell Austin Wayne Self Grant Enfinger[38] Not awarded until 2014 No. 98 Mason Mitchell
2013 Frank Kimmel Justin Boston Frank Kimmel No. 44 Duke Thorson
2012 Chris Buescher Alex Bowman Chris Buescher[39] No. 25 Cathy Venturini
2011 Ty Dillon Chris Buescher Chad McCumbee[40] No. 17 Russ Roulo
2010 Patrick Sheltra Dakoda Armstrong Joey Coulter
2009 Justin Lofton Parker Kligerman Parker Kligerman[35] No. 6 Jessica Sharp
2008 Justin Allgaier Matt Carter Frank Kimmel[41] No. 2 Eddie Sharp
2007 Frank Kimmel Michael McDowell Frank Kimmel No. 98 Ray Evernham
2006 Frank Kimmel Blake Bjorklund Blake Bjorklund No. 46 Larry Clement
2005 Frank Kimmel Joey Miller Frank Kimmel No. 46 Larry Clement
2004 Frank Kimmel T. J. Bell Brent Sherman No. 5 Billy Gerhart
2003 Frank Kimmel Bill Eversole Jason Jarrett No. 46 Larry Clement
2002 Frank Kimmel Chad Blount Frank Kimmel No. 77 Todd Braun
2001 Frank Kimmel Jason Jarrett Frank Kimmel No. 46 Larry Clement
2000 Frank Kimmel Brian Ross Tim Steele[34]
1999 Bill Baird Ron Cox Bill Baird
1998 Frank Kimmel Bill Baird Frank Kimmel
1997 Tim Steele Josh Baltes Tim Steele
1996 Tim Steele Blaise Alexander Tim Steele
1995 Andy Hillenburg Dill Whittymore
Harris DeVane		 Harris DeVane
1994 Bobby Bowsher Gary Bradberry Bob Hill No. 1 James Finch
1993 Tim Steele Jeremy Mayfield Bob Keselowski No. 1 James Finch
1992 Bobby Bowsher Frank Kimmel Bobby Bowsher
1991 Bill Venturini Roy Payne Bobby Bowsher
Bill Venturini		 No. 25 Cathy Venturini
1990 Bob Brevak Glenn Brewer Bob Keselowski
1989 Bob Keselowski Graham Taylor Tracy Leslie
1988 Tracy Leslie Bobby Gerhart Grant Adcox
1987 Bill Venturini Dave Weltmeyer Grant Adcox No. 25 Cathy Venturini
1986 Lee Raymond Mark Gibson Lee Raymond
1985 Lee Raymond Rhett Ingleman Lee Raymond
1984 Bob Dotter Davey Allison Davey Allison
1983 Bob Dotter Bill Venturini
1982 Scott Stovall Lee Raymond
1981 Larry Moyer Gordon Blankenship
1980 Bob Dotter Scott Stovall
1979 Marvin Smith Steve Ellis
1978 Marvin Smith Bob Slawinski
1977 Conan Myers Bill Green
1976 Dave Dayton Tom Meinberg
1975 Dave Dayton Charlie Paxton
1974 Ron Hutcherson
Dave Dayton		 Jerry Hufflin
1973 Ron Hutcherson Bruce Gould
1972 Ron Hutcherson Delmar Clark
1971 Ramo Stott A. Arnold
1970 Ramo Stott Tom Bowsher
1969 Benny Parsons Larry Ashley
1968 Benny Parsons Cliff Hamm
1967 Iggy Katona Norm Meyers
1966 Iggy Katona Dave Dayton
1965 Jack Bowsher Benny Parsons
1964 Jack Bowsher Charlie Glotzbach
1963 Jack Bowsher N/A
1962 Iggy Katona Curly Mills
1961 Harold Smith Virgil Oakes
1960 Nelson Stacy N/A
1959 Nelson Stacy Bob Bower
1958 Nelson Stacy Paul Wensink
1957 Iggy Katona Bill Granger
1956 Iggy Katona N/A
1955 Iggy Katona N/A
1954 Bucky Sager N/A
1953 Jim Romine N/A

See also

References
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  2. Smith, Steven Cole (December 21, 2014). "Controversy brewing in the ARCA series". motorsport.com. Daytona, Florida. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  3. Carollo, John (April 30, 2012). "Stock Car Engines and Sanctioning Bodies: Different Groups, Different Rules". Engine Builder Magazine. Babcox Media, Inc. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  4. "ARCA again starts its season at Daytona on February 14, 2015". motorsport.com. motorsport.com, ARCA. October 23, 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  5. "ARCA At 50: Series Presses On While Staying True To Its Roots". stockcarracing.com. February 1, 2002. Archived from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  6. "NASCAR acquires ARCA, reaffirms commitment to growth | NASCAR.com". Official Site Of NASCAR. 2018-04-27. Retrieved 2018-04-27.
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  8. "Kimmel dominate banquet". motorsport.com. Cincinnati, Ohio. December 9, 2000. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
  9. Automobile Racing Club of America (December 6, 2010). "Series announces 2011 presenting sponsor". motorsport.com. Covington, Kentucky. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
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  11. "The Official Website of ARCA - NJMP Preparing For ARCA RE/MAX Series Road Course Adventure". Archived from the original on December 20, 2007. Retrieved November 18, 2007.
  12. "Why Race ARCA RE/MAX? Development, Training And Preparation". Stock Car Racing. December 2, 2003. Archived from the original on 11 December 2014. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  13. Coble, Don (February 15, 2014). "After ARCA crash, NASCAR faces difficult decision on Chase Elliott's Nationwide eligibility". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
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  15. "ARCA Racing Series: 2016 Official Rule Book" (PDF). Automobile Racing Club of America. 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  16. Andy_Mahood 20 June 2008 (20 June 2008). "Forget NASCAR - there's a new stocker in town". gamesradar. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
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  18. Bonkowski, Jerry (October 2, 2019). "NASCAR, ARCA announce new format for 2020; ARCA to take over K&N Series". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  19. Staff, Speedway Digest. "ARCA Announces Television Broadcast Dates for 2019 ; All Races Scheduled for Live Coverage". www.speedwaydigest.com. Retrieved 2020-10-03.
  20. Staff, Speedway Digest. "ARCA Menards Series Extends Broadcast Rights Agreement With FOX Sports Through 2024; Announces 2023 Broadcast Schedule". www.speedwaydigest.com. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  21. "HMS Invites Gerhart to 25th Anniversary Celebration; Old 'Dusty' with a New Debut". arcaracing.com. Charlotte, North Carolina: Automobile Racing Club of America. February 1, 2009. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  22. "ARCA Announces New Engine Package Option for 2015". Automobile Racing Club of America. Long Pond, Pennsylvania. August 1, 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  23. "ARCA Ilmor 396 Engine announcement produces positive reactions". ARCA. Toledo, Ohio. August 12, 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  24. Magda, Mike (December 25, 2014). "Ilmor 396 ARCA Engine Saves Money, Lays Off Engine Builders". EngineLabs. Power Automedia, LLC. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  25. Radelbaugh, Don (December 21, 2014). "Corr tops overall ARCA speed charts in Daytona testing". AccessNorthGa.com. Daytona Beach, Florida: Jacobs Media Corporation. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  26. Media Release (November 4, 2014). "NASCAR unveils new K&N Pro Series car at 2014 SEMA show". Fox Sports. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  27. Radebaugh, Don (May 9, 2016). "ARCA composite body cars to make superspeedway debut at Pocono". Automobile Racing Club of America. Toledo, Ohio. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  28. "ARCA Racing Series composite body makes superspeedway debut at Daytona". arcaracing.com. Daytona Beach, Florida: Automobile Racing Club of America. January 17, 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
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  32. ARCA's New Ford Mustang Body Style (My Thoughts), retrieved 2023-02-19
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  38. Inabinett, Mark (September 1, 2014). "Grant Enfinger gets dirty in pursuit of ARCA Racing Series championship". AL.com. AL.com, Advance Publications. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  39. "Prestigious France Four Crown Going to Buescher". Arcaracing.com. Toledo, Ohio: Automobile Racing Club of America. December 5, 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
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  41. Automobile Racing Club of America (October 5, 2008). "Talladega: Kimmel wins Bill France Triple Crown". motorsport.com. Talladega, Alabama. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
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