ARCA Menards Series
 | |
| Category | Stock cars |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Inaugural season | 1953 |
| Manufacturers | Chevrolet · Ford · Toyota |
| Engine suppliers | Ilmor (ARCA Ilmor 396) Roush-Yates (RYR Spec) Chevrolet (350 small block, SB2) Dodge (R5P6) Ford (351 Windsor) |
| Tire suppliers | General Tire |
| Drivers' champion | Brenden Queen |
| Makes' champion | Toyota |
| Teams' champion | Pinnacle Racing Group |
| Official website | ARCA Racing |
 Current season | |
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 Speedweek, 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] 2020 was the first season that the series was sanctioned by NASCAR.[7]
The series was known as the ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series from 1986 until 1991, the ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series from 1993 until 1995, and the ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series from 1996 to 2000.[8][9] The series was sponsored by real estate company RE/MAX as the ARCA RE/MAX Series from 2001 until 2009.[10] Midwest-based home improvement company Menards began sponsoring the series in 2010 jointly with RE/MAX, and became the lone presenting sponsor in 2011,[10] and from then until February 2019 the series was known as the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.
History
[edit]
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 France, allowing the series to open its season alongside the Daytona 500.[4][11] 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.[12] 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][13] Young drivers will often race in the series opener at Daytona to gain NASCAR approval to run at superspeedways in the Truck or O'Reilly Auto Parts Series.[14] 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.[8] NASCAR regulars, notably Ken Schrader, are known to frequent the series as well.[13] 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.[15][16] Drivers 16 and 17 may participate in selected portions of the January Daytona test but may not participate in the race weekend.
An Indiana-based indie game developer created ARCA Sim Racing '08 to simulate the RE/MAX championship.[17]
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.[18]
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 retained its name for the 2020 season, while the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West rebranded 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.[19]
Tracks
[edit]
Television broadcasting
[edit]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.[20] Starting in 2023, all races will be broadcast on FS1 or FS2[21] and in 2024, ARCA signed a multi year contract with FS1 and FS2 under ARCA's new TV deal that will take place until 2028.[22]
ARCA Menards Series cars
[edit]
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 and said car would be used until 2004 at Talladega by Boston Reid. 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][23] 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."[13]
ARCA Ilmor 396 engine
[edit]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 horsepower and 530 ft-lb 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][24][25][26]
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][27] 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, currently supplied by 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][15][16][26]
Composite car bodies
[edit]
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, 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.[28][29] The composite body debuted at preseason testing at Daytona, with the intent of approving it for tracks over a mile in length.[30]
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.[28][31] The composite bodies made their superspeedway debut at Pocono Raceway on June 3, 2016.[29][32] 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.[33] The Gen-4 style bodies were allowed to compete in one final race at the 2020 General Tire 100 at the Daytona Road Course. In 2022, the Ford Fusion was replaced by the Ford Mustang, but was not widely adopted by Ford teams until 2023.[34] The Ford Fusion body is still legal under ARCA rules as of 2024, however only smaller teams compete with them.
Specifications
[edit]
- Engine displacement: 350–360–396 cubic inches (5,740–5,900–6,490 cc) Overhead valve 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:
- Fuel injection – Ilmor only
- Carburetion – All other engines
- 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 (no longer eligible as of 2020)
- Composite (Gen 6) – Unmodified (2014 Holden VF Commodore/Chevrolet SS, 2014 Ford Fusion, 2014 Toyota Camry, 2022 Ford Mustang)[35]
- Rear spoiler: Minimum angle 65 degrees (steel); 70 degrees (composite)
- Steering: Power, recirculating ball
Seasons
[edit]
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][36][37][38]
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.[39][9]
- Bold driver indicates he/she has won at least 1 NASCAR Cup Series championship.
- Italicized driver indicates he/she has won at least 1 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series championship.
All-time win table
[edit]All figures correct as of the Atlas 200 at Madison International Speedway (August 28, 2026).
| * | ARCA Menards Series champion |
|---|---|
| # | Driver is competing full-time in the 2026 season |
| ° | Driver is competing part-time in the 2026 season |
| ^ | Driver has been inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 Christie, Toby (January 15, 2009). "ARCA Loses Series Title Sponsor RE/MAX For 2010". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on December 26, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Smith, Steven Cole (December 21, 2014). "Controversy brewing in the ARCA series". motorsport.com. Daytona Beach, Florida. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 Carollo, John (April 30, 2012). "Stock Car Engines and Sanctioning Bodies: Different Groups, Different Rules". Engine Builder Magazine. Babcox Media, Inc. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
- 1 2 3 "ARCA again starts its season at Daytona on February 14, 2015". motorsport.com. motorsport.com, ARCA. October 23, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "ARCA At 50: Series Presses On While Staying True To Its Roots". stockcarracing.com. February 1, 2002. Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
- 1 2 "NASCAR acquires ARCA, reaffirms commitment to growth | NASCAR.com". Official Site Of NASCAR. April 27, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
- ↑ Weaver, Matt (October 10, 2019). "NASCAR reveals ARCA Menards and ARCA Showdown schedules". Autoweek. Crain Communications.
- 1 2 Automobile Racing Club of America (November 18, 2009). "ARCA - Driver development 1990-1999". motorsport.com. Toledo, Ohio. Archived from the original on June 6, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
- 1 2 "Kimmel dominate banquet". motorsport.com. Cincinnati, Ohio. December 9, 2000. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
- 1 2 Automobile Racing Club of America (December 6, 2010). "Series announces 2011 presenting sponsor". motorsport.com. Covington, Kentucky. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
- ↑ "The Official Website of ARCA - 1960-1969". Archived from the original on October 25, 2007. Retrieved November 18, 2007.
- ↑ "The Official Website of ARCA - NJMP Preparing For ARCA RE/MAX Series Road Course Adventure". November 14, 2007. Retrieved November 18, 2007.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - 1 2 3 "Why Race ARCA RE/MAX? Development, Training And Preparation". Stock Car Racing. December 2, 2003. Archived from the original on December 11, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
- ↑ Coble, Don (February 15, 2014). "After ARCA crash, NASCAR faces difficult decision on Chase Elliott's Nationwide eligibility". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
- 1 2 3 "ARCA Racing Series: 2015 Official Rule Book" (PDF). thepitlane.org. Automobile Racing Club of America. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 3, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
- 1 2 3 "ARCA Racing Series: 2016 Official Rule Book" (PDF). Automobile Racing Club of America. 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 24, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- ↑ Mahood, Andy (June 20, 2008). "Forget NASCAR - there's a new stocker in town". gamesradar. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
- ↑ "ARCA MOVES ON FROM HOOSIER AS GENERAL TIRE ENTERS FRAY". Kansas City, Kansas. Associated Press. October 16, 2015. Archived from the original on February 8, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Staff, Speedway Digest (January 29, 2019). "ARCA Announces Television Broadcast Dates for 2019; All Races Scheduled for Live Coverage". www.speedwaydigest.com. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
- ↑ Staff, Speedway Digest (December 9, 2022). "ARCA Menards Series Extends Broadcast Rights Agreement With FOX Sports Through 2024; Announces 2023 Broadcast Schedule". www.speedwaydigest.com. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
- ↑ "ARCA Menards Series schedule for 2025 announced". ARCARacing.com. September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
- ↑ "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 June 24, 2015.
- ↑ "ARCA Announces New Engine Package Option for 2015". Automobile Racing Club of America. Long Pond, Pennsylvania. August 1, 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
- ↑ "ARCA Ilmor 396 Engine announcement produces positive reactions". ARCA. Toledo, Ohio. August 12, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
- 1 2 Magda, Mike (December 25, 2014). "Ilmor 396 ARCA Engine Saves Money, Lays Off Engine Builders". EngineLabs. Power Automedia, LLC. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
- ↑ 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 February 15, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
- 1 2 Media Release (November 4, 2014). "NASCAR unveils new K&N Pro Series car at 2014 SEMA show". Fox Sports. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
- 1 2 Radebaugh, Don (May 9, 2016). "ARCA composite body cars to make superspeedway debut at Pocono". Automobile Racing Club of America. Toledo, Ohio. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- ↑ "ARCA Racing Series composite body makes superspeedway debut at Daytona". arcaracing.com. Daytona Beach, Florida: Automobile Racing Club of America. January 17, 2015. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
- ↑ "NASCAR and ARCA unveil new car in Vegas". Newton Daily News. November 13, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
- ↑ Automobile Racing Club of America (May 31, 2016). "Parker Kligerman quickest in ARCA testing at Pocono; Composite body cars prepare for superspeedway debut Friday". Catchfence.com. Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- ↑ "ARCA To Transition To All Composite Bodies In 2020". ARCA To Transition To All Composite Bodies In 2020 | Performance Racing Industry. Retrieved October 3, 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ ARCA's New Ford Mustang Body Style (My Thoughts), May 2022, retrieved February 19, 2023
- ↑ "2024 ARCA Rule Book" (PDF). www.arcaracing.com. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
- ↑ "ARCA's 2014 Bill France Four Crown championship kicks off at NJMP road course Sunday, June 1". ARCA Racing Series. Toledo, Ohio. May 21, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
- 1 2 "Bill France Triple Crown award". motorsport.com. Toledo, Ohio. October 18, 2000. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
- 1 2 Automobile Racing Club of America (October 1, 2009). "Kansas: Series notes on Four Crown, Kligerman winner". motorsport.com. Kansas City, Kansas. Archived from the original on March 26, 2016. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
- ↑ Automobile Racing Club of America (November 26, 2007). "2007 Awards banquet preview". motorsport.com. Covington, Kentucky. Archived from the original on January 3, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
- ↑ "CGS Imaging extends agreement to sponsor ARCA Menards Series CGS 4 Crown Championship". arcaracing.com. March 28, 2024.
- ↑ Staff, Speedway Digest (September 15, 2019). "Bret Holmes Scores Fourth-Place Finish and the CGS Four Crown Championship at Salem Speedway". speedwaydigest.com.
- ↑ Inabinett, Mark (September 1, 2014). "Grant Enfinger gets dirty in pursuit of ARCA Racing Series championship". AL.com. AL.com, Advance Publications. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
- ↑ "Prestigious France Four Crown Going to Buescher". Arcaracing.com. Toledo, Ohio: Automobile Racing Club of America. December 5, 2012. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
- ↑ "Belmont "Overwhelmed" by Winning Four Crown". arcaracing.com. Toledo, Ohio: Automobile Racing Club of America. September 19, 2011. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
- ↑ Automobile Racing Club of America (October 5, 2008). "Talladega: Kimmel wins Bill France Triple Crown". motorsport.com. Talladega, Alabama. Archived from the original on October 31, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
External links
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