NASCAR is three races into their 2025 season and their viewership numbers so far are an 11% increase over last year! But many do not know that their “minor league”racing series, the ARCA Menards Series, started here. In Toledo, Ohio. With the first official race in Dayton, not far from the Wright Brothers first home in west Dayton.
Humble beginnings for ARCA
John Marcum and his wife, Mildred, formed what was then called the Midwest Association for Race Cars, MARC. ARCA, the American Racing Club of America as it is known today, has been racing since the 1950’s. John worked at NASCAR under the famous Bill France Sr., founder of NASCAR.
Since the 1960’s, ARCA and NASCAR forged a special relationship that continues today. Often, Friday or Saturday racing at NASCAR events belong to ARCA. ARCA is for young drivers on NASCAR owner’s teams or just hobbyists. With stories like these, what’ NOT to like?
Drivers, full and part time for ARCA
Adrian Ferrer, 16 years old from Madrid, Spain!
Michael Maples, the 60 year old driver and owner of Michael Maples Racing. Of course he decided to be the owner AND driver of his company!
Dr. Patrick Staropoli, an eye surgeon and avid stock car racer. Harvard Medical School grads are not just for hospitals!
Max Reaves, the fifteen year old phenom signed to Joe Gibbs Racing, will be the first driver born in 2010 to drive in an ARCA event.
Brett Crews, the other teenage driver in JGR, just won the series second event Friday evening in Phoenix. He’s on a fast track to be a full-time NASCAR driver in the very near future.
Brenden Queen, the winner of the first 2025 series event at Daytona, is a 27 year old driver who is showing signs of a bright ARCA future with a few NASCAR Truck races under his belt in 2024. He will probably put his mechanical engineering degree work on hold from Old Dominion University as he competes full time this year on the circuit.
Isabella Robusto, a full-time driver this year for ARCA, driving for Venturini Motorsports. She was in the top five Friday before car problems ended her night. She nailed two top five finishes in 2024 and there are high goals for her in ‘25.
Friday Event
Brenden Queen appeared on the verge of his second straight ARCA win Friday evening in Phoenix. On the last lap, Crews was behind in second, fairly certain of his 2nd place finish. At the third turn, though, Crews snuck low on the turn and Queen appeared to slide out towards the wall (bumped?). Crews raced by and grabbed the checkered flag for his first win in exciting fashion.
Here’s Crews comments on the last lap caution and win.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DG8P-fSpuwJ/
“I raced Brenden [Queen] the whole year last year…We raced him for CARS Tour wins, and then coming here to the ARCA Menards Series at a track like Phoenix to race for the win was really special. A great job to [Pinnacle Racing Group]. They had a winning car today, so I’m grateful for the caution at the end.”
And as we read from the Instagram comments from fans, ARCA should be in the limelight more thanks to controversy. “Questionable caution,” one wrote. “Weird overtime rules.” “[Crews] shouldn’t have won.” And this one: “I definitely wouldn’t feel good about that win.” Sounds exactly like the fans moaning on NASCAR and MLB and NBA and…well, name a sport!
Yep, auto racing is back! And thank the folks in Toledo and Dayton for the humble start to ARCA!
Recent Comments