TheARCA Menards Seriesis an Americanstock carseries, the premier division of theAutomobile 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 ofNASCAR,[1][2]and hosts events at a variety of track types includingsuperspeedways,road courses,anddirt 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 formerNASCAR Cup Seriescars, hosting events in the same race weekend such asDaytona Speedweeks,and naming an award afterNASCARfounderBill 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 byNASCAR.[7]
 | |
| Category | Stock cars |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Inaugural season | 1953 |
| Manufacturers | Chevrolet Ford Toyota |
| Engine suppliers | Ilmor |
| Tire suppliers | General Tire |
| Drivers' champion | Andrés Pérez de Lara |
| Makes' champion | Chevrolet |
| Teams' champion | Rev Racing |
| Official website | ARCA Racing |
 Current season | |
The series was known as the ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series from 1986 until 1991, the ARCAHootersSuperCar Series from 1993 until 1995, and as the ARCABondo/Mar-HydeSeries from 1996 to 2000.[8][9]The series was sponsored by real estate companyRE/MAXas theARCA RE/MAXSeries from 2001 until 2009.[10]Midwest-based home improvement companyMenardsbegan 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 theARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.
History
edit
The series was founded inToledo,Ohioin 1953 as theMidwest Association for Race Cars(MARC), a local touring group in theMidwestern United States.[4]The series was founded byJohn Marcum,a friend and former competitor ofBill France, Sr.and formerNASCARemployee, who created MARC as a northern counterpart to the southern-based NASCAR. Early drivers includedIggy KatonaandNelson Stacy.[5]
The series became a part ofDaytona Speedweeksin 1964 at the request ofBill France,allowing the series to open its season alongside theDaytona 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 tosuperspeedwayssuch asDaytona 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 asBenny Parsons,Ken Schrader,andKyle Petty,and helped more recentNASCAR Cup SeriesdriversKyle Busch,Justin Allgaier,Casey Mears,andSam Hornish Jr.get acclimated to stock cars.[1][13]Young drivers will often race in the series opener atDaytona International Speedwayto gain NASCAR approval to run at superspeedways in the Truck orXfinity Series.[14]Other drivers, such as 10-time championFrank Kimmeland 9-time race winnerBobby Gerhartremain 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 asBenny ChastainandAndy 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 theCraftsman 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 atDaytonaandTalladega.[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-basedindie game developercreatedARCA Sim Racing '08to simulate the RE/MAX championship.[17]
From 1995 until 2016, theHoosier Racing Tirecompany was the series tire supplier, with the tires being branded in 2016 by their business partnerContinental AG'sGeneral 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 theNASCAR K&N Pro Series EastandWestrebranded 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]
In January 2019, ARCA announced that every race for the 2019 season would be broadcast live on television. Eight races were broadcast betweenFS1andFS2,while the remaining 12 races ran onMAVTV.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 withFS1andFS2under 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 theNASCAR 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 winningDaytonacar in 1999 used a chassis built byHendrick Motorsportsin 1989 and said car would be used until 2004 atTalladegabyBoston Reid.Following the transition of the Cup andXfinity Seriesto theCar of Tomorrowin 2007 and 2010 respectively, the ARCA Series continued to use the 2007-style models of theChevrolet Monte Carlo SS(re-branded as theImpala),Ford Fusion,Toyota Camry,andDodge Charger.ThecarburetedV8 enginesused 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
editOn 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 byIlmor,which has also developed engines for theIndyCar Series,the engine is a "purpose-built powerplant" usingHolleyelectronic fuel injectionand based on theChevrolet LS engine familythat 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][24][25][26]
The Ilmor engine debuted during testing atDaytona International Speedwayin December 2014, with Sean Corr's Ilmor-powered #48Fordtopping 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 bySaudi Aramco). The spec engine also reduces manufacturer identity for teams, with construction based on theChevroletengine package and branded as an Ilmor. Non-Ilmor engines, meanwhile, are subject to intake andRPMrestrictions to maintain performance limits relative to the new package.[2][15][16][26]
Composite car bodies
edit
On November 4, 2014, at theSEMA ShowinLas Vegas,NASCARpresidentMike Heltonunveiled a new body style for theK&N Pro Series EastandWestthat would also be eligible for use in ARCA competition, based on theSprint Cup SeriesGen 6 modelsof theHolden VF Commodore,Ford Fusion,andToyota 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 atDaytona,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 atPocono Racewayon 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 over3⁄4mile (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 the2020 General Tire 100at the Daytona Road Course. In 2022, the Ford Fusion was replaced by theFord 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)pushrodV8
- Transmission:4-speedmanual
- 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:Sunocounleaded gasoline
- Fuel capacity:18 US gallons (68 L; 15 imp gal) or 22 US gallons (83 L; 18 imp gal)
- Fuel delivery:
- Fuel injection–Ilmoronly
- 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, 2014 Ford Fusion, 2014 Toyota Camry, 2022 Ford Mustang)[35]
- Rear spoiler:Minimum angle 65 degrees (steel); 70 degrees (composite)
- Steering:Power,recirculating ball
Championship results
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 byScott Paper Company– is given to the rookie that scores the most points at the end of the season. Winners have included futureNASCARdriversBenny Parsons,Davey Allison,Jeremy Mayfield,Michael McDowell,andParker 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. FutureWinston Cup SeriesstarDavey Allisonwon the first Four Crown.Frank Kimmelis 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, theBob LogaMemorial Scholarship, the Spirit Award, Most Popular Driver Award, Most Improved Driver, and Engine Mechanic of the Year.[39][9]
- Bolddriver indicates he/she has won at least 1NASCAR Cup Serieschampionship.
- Italicizeddriver indicates he/she has won at least 1NASCAR Xfinity Serieschampionship.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abChristie, Toby (January 15, 2009)."ARCA Loses Series Title Sponsor RE/MAX For 2010".Bleacher Report.Retrieved27 November2014.
- ^abcdeSmith, Steven Cole (December 21, 2014)."Controversy brewing in the ARCA series".motorsport.com.Daytona, Florida.Retrieved22 December2014.
- ^abcdCarollo, John (April 30, 2012)."Stock Car Engines and Sanctioning Bodies: Different Groups, Different Rules".Engine Builder Magazine.Babcox Media, Inc.Retrieved21 November2014.
- ^abc"ARCA again starts its season at Daytona on February 14, 2015".motorsport.com.motorsport.com, ARCA. October 23, 2014.Retrieved21 November2014.
- ^abcde"ARCA At 50: Series Presses On While Staying True To Its Roots".stockcarracing.com.February 1, 2002. Archived fromthe originalon 10 February 2012.Retrieved21 November2014.
- ^ab"NASCAR acquires ARCA, reaffirms commitment to growth | NASCAR.com".Official Site Of NASCAR.2018-04-27.Retrieved2018-04-27.
- ^Weaver, Matt (October 10, 2019)."NASCAR reveals ARCA Menards and ARCA Showdown schedules".Autoweek.Crain Communications.
- ^abAutomobile Racing Club of America(November 18, 2009)."ARCA - Driver development 1990-1999".motorsport.com.Toledo, Ohio.Archived fromthe originalon 6 June 2015.Retrieved6 June2015.
- ^ab"Kimmel dominate banquet".motorsport.com.Cincinnati, Ohio.December 9, 2000. Archived fromthe originalon 4 March 2016.Retrieved6 June2015.
- ^abAutomobile Racing Club of America(December 6, 2010)."Series announces 2011 presenting sponsor".motorsport.com.Covington, Kentucky.Retrieved4 February2015.
- ^"The Official Website of ARCA - 1960-1969".Archived fromthe originalon 2007-10-25.Retrieved2007-11-18.
- ^"The Official Website of ARCA - NJMP Preparing For ARCA RE/MAX Series Road Course Adventure".Archived fromthe originalon December 20, 2007.RetrievedNovember 18,2007.
- ^abc"Why Race ARCA RE/MAX? Development, Training And Preparation".Stock Car Racing.December 2, 2003. Archived fromthe originalon 11 December 2014.Retrieved27 November2014.
- ^Coble, Don (February 15, 2014)."After ARCA crash, NASCAR faces difficult decision on Chase Elliott's Nationwide eligibility".The Florida Times-Union.Retrieved27 November2014.
- ^abc"ARCA Racing Series: 2015 Official Rule Book"(PDF).thepitlane.org.Automobile Racing Club of America.2015.Retrieved29 March2015.
- ^abc"ARCA Racing Series: 2016 Official Rule Book"(PDF).Automobile Racing Club of America.2016.Retrieved10 June2016.
- ^Andy_Mahood 20 June 2008 (20 June 2008)."Forget NASCAR - there's a new stocker in town".gamesradar.Retrieved2020-02-16.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^"ARCA MOVES ON FROM HOOSIER AS GENERAL TIRE ENTERS FRAY".Kansas City, Kansas.Associated Press.October 16, 2015. Archived fromthe originalon 8 February 2016.Retrieved13 February2016.
- ^Bonkowski, Jerry (October 2, 2019)."NASCAR, ARCA announce new format for 2020; ARCA to take over K&N Series".NBC Sports.RetrievedOctober 2,2019.
- ^Staff, Speedway Digest (29 January 2019)."ARCA Announces Television Broadcast Dates for 2019; All Races Scheduled for Live Coverage".www.speedwaydigest.com.Retrieved2020-10-03.
- ^Staff, Speedway Digest (9 December 2022)."ARCA Menards Series Extends Broadcast Rights Agreement With FOX Sports Through 2024; Announces 2023 Broadcast Schedule".www.speedwaydigest.com.Retrieved2023-02-19.
- ^"ARCA Menards Series schedule for 2025 announced".ARCARacing.com.September 25, 2024.RetrievedSeptember 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.Retrieved24 June2015.
- ^"ARCA Announces New Engine Package Option for 2015".Automobile Racing Club of America.Long Pond, Pennsylvania.August 1, 2014.Retrieved15 November2014.
- ^"ARCA Ilmor 396 Engine announcement produces positive reactions".ARCA.Toledo, Ohio.August 12, 2014.Retrieved16 November2014.
- ^abMagda, Mike (December 25, 2014)."Ilmor 396 ARCA Engine Saves Money, Lays Off Engine Builders".EngineLabs.Power Automedia, LLC.Retrieved14 February2015.
- ^Radelbaugh, Don (December 21, 2014)."Corr tops overall ARCA speed charts in Daytona testing".AccessNorthGa.com.Daytona Beach, Florida:Jacobs Media Corporation.Archived fromthe originalon 15 February 2015.Retrieved22 December2014.
- ^abMedia Release (November 4, 2014)."NASCAR unveils new K&N Pro Series car at 2014 SEMA show".Fox Sports.Retrieved15 November2014.
- ^abRadebaugh, Don (May 9, 2016)."ARCA composite body cars to make superspeedway debut at Pocono".Automobile Racing Club of America.Toledo, Ohio.Retrieved10 June2016.
- ^"ARCA Racing Series composite body makes superspeedway debut at Daytona".arcaracing.com.Daytona Beach, Florida:Automobile Racing Club of America.January 17, 2015.Retrieved2 April2015.
- ^"NASCAR and ARCA unveil new car in Vegas".Newton Daily News.November 13, 2014.Retrieved21 November2014.
- ^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.Retrieved10 June2016.
- ^"ARCA To Transition To All Composite Bodies In 2020".ARCA To Transition To All Composite Bodies In 2020 | Performance Racing Industry.Retrieved2020-10-03.[permanent dead link]
- ^ARCA's New Ford Mustang Body Style (My Thoughts),May 2022,retrieved2023-02-19
- ^"2024 ARCA Rule Book"(PDF).www.arcaracing.com.RetrievedOctober 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.Retrieved27 December2014.
- ^ab"Bill France Triple Crown award".motorsport.com.Toledo, Ohio.October 18, 2000. Archived fromthe originalon 4 March 2016.Retrieved6 June2015.
- ^abAutomobile Racing Club of America(October 1, 2009)."Kansas: Series notes on Four Crown, Kligerman winner".motorsport.com.Kansas City, Kansas.Archived fromthe originalon 26 March 2016.Retrieved6 June2015.
- ^Automobile Racing Club of America(November 26, 2007)."2007 Awards banquet preview".motorsport.com.Covington, Kentucky.Archived fromthe originalon 3 January 2015.Retrieved3 January2015.
- ^"CGS Imaging extends agreement to sponsor ARCA Menards Series CGS 4 Crown Championship".arcaracing.com.28 March 2024.
- ^Staff, Speedway Digest (15 September 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.Retrieved27 December2014.
- ^"Prestigious France Four Crown Going to Buescher".Arcaracing.com.Toledo, Ohio:Automobile Racing Club of America.December 5, 2012.Retrieved4 February2015.
- ^"Belmont" Overwhelmed "by Winning Four Crown".arcaracing.com.Toledo, Ohio:Automobile Racing Club of America.September 19, 2011.Retrieved4 February2015.
- ^Automobile Racing Club of America(October 5, 2008)."Talladega: Kimmel wins Bill France Triple Crown".motorsport.com.Talladega, Alabama.Retrieved6 June2015.[permanent dead link]
External links
edit