ARCA Menards Series West

Last updated
ARCA Menards Series West
AMS West 2020 Ver 1.png
Category Stock cars
Country Western United States
Inaugural season1954
Manufacturers Chevrolet  · Ford  · Toyota
Tire suppliers General Tire
Drivers' champion Sean Hingorani
Makes' champion Toyota
Teams' champion Venturini Motorsports
Official website ARCA Racing
Motorsport current event.svg Current season

The ARCA Menards Series West, formerly the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, NASCAR AutoZone West Series, NASCAR Winston West Series and NASCAR Camping World West Series, is a regional stock car racing series owned and operated by the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) and the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). The series was first formed in 1954 as a proving ground for drivers from the western United States who could not travel to race in the more traditional stock car racing regions like North Carolina and the rest of the southern United States.

Contents

In 1954, the series was formed under the name Pacific Coast Late Model circuit, with nine races on the schedule. At first the series sanctioned races on dirt tracks and paved tracks, but as the series developed, more races were held on paved tracks, with the final race on a dirt track being held in 1979 until the series returned to dirt in 2018. In 1988, the series traveled out of the United States for the first time, sanctioning a race in Australia. Eight years later, the series once again traveled outside the United States to Japan. In 1999, the season finale was held at Twin Ring Motegi, making it the first NASCAR championship race held in a different country. Four years later, NASCAR consolidated the Busch North Series into the series.

Jack McCoy has the most career wins in the series with 54, followed by Ray Elder with 47. Elder, however, has recorded six championships, the most out of any driver in the series. Other notable drivers who participated in the series include Ryan Blaney, Kevin Harvick, Brendan Gaughan, Derrike Cope, Chad Little and David Gilliland.

The other regional division at the Grand National level of ARCA is the Menards Series East.

History

NASCAR Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick in the then-Winston West Series in 1997. Kevin Harvick Spears Motorsports Chevrolet (WW) Mesa Marin October 1997.jpg
NASCAR Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick in the then-Winston West Series in 1997.
Restart from caution, 2011 Utah Grand Prix 2011 Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix restart.png
Restart from caution, 2011 Utah Grand Prix

The Menards Series West began in 1954 as the Pacific Coast Late Model circuit. Nine races were in held in the first year, many of which were held in California, in cities such as Oakland, San Diego, San Mateo and Gardena. [1] [2] The inaugural series championship was won by Lloyd Dane driving a 1953 Hudson Hornet. [3]

Afterward, the series became known as the Grand National West Series, then the Winston Grand National West Series. In the beginning the series also raced on dirt ovals, but as the series developed began to race only on paved tracks, with the last race held on a dirt oval until 2018 being in 1979. [1]

Though the series primarily sanctions races in the United States, the series has also traveled to Australia in 1988 and Japan from 1996 to 1998 for exhibition races. The series became the first series to sanction a championship race outside the United States in 1999, when the final race was held at Twin Ring Motegi. In 2003, the Busch North Series was consolidated into the series forming the modern day series. [1] For the 2008 season, Camping World bought naming rights of the series, renaming it the Camping World West Series. [4] Two years later, K&N Engineering, Inc. replaced Camping World as the title sponsor. [5]

A total of 110 different drivers have scored wins in the series with Jack McCoy having the most with 54, followed by Ray Elder who has 47 wins. [6] Elder has scored the most championships with six, while Bill Schmitt and Roy Smith each have four. [1]

The series has also had several notable NASCAR drivers throughout the years, including Ryan Blaney, Kevin Harvick, Brendan Gaughan, Derrike Cope, Chad Little and David Gilliland. [7]

In 2020, the series will become part of the ARCA Menards Series banner and renamed to the ARCA Menards Series West. [8]

ARCA Menards Series cars

General

As part of NASCAR's unification of the two Camping World Series in 2003, the cars can be either a 105-inch (2,700 mm, which had been used in the former Busch Grand National East) or 110-inch (2,800 mm, which had been used in the former Winston West) wheelbase. Cambered/off-set rear ends are not allowed.

Jim Inglebright competing in the 2015 Carneros 200 in a Chevrolet SS Carneros 200 - Jim Inglebright - 1- Sarah Stierch.jpg
Jim Inglebright competing in the 2015 Carneros 200 in a Chevrolet SS

The car bodies are typically a hand-built steel body, however teams may also use a one-piece composite body. The composite body is a "common" item that may be run as any manufacturer branded car (i.e. only one style of composite body for all four car manufacturers [Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Toyota]). Teams then "brand" the composite body by the grill opening, quarter window openings and the vehicle decal package (head lights, tail lights, etc.). Due to the introduction of the Car of Tomorrow in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, many of the vehicles on the series are old Sprint Cup cars. Another popular way to get a complete body is to buy a "cut-off" body from a Nationwide series team and mount it on a chassis.

Teams have an option of building their own engines or they may run a specification engine, similar to what is used in many short tracks. Both engines are V8, pushrod, 12:1 compression motors. "Built" motors are built to team specifications using any configuration of pieces as long as it still meets NASCAR specifications. The spec engine is built using NASCAR-Approved pieces that may be purchased from an approved supplier. The engines may be purchased as a kit or pre-assembled. All of the spec pieces are individually encrypted with a barcode for verification and tracking purposes and can be checked during the inspection process with an encryption reader.

When the series first started, the cars ran a V6 engine with a maximum 274 cu in (4,490 cm3) displacement and no compression limit . In the early/mid 1990s the V8 engine with a 9.5:1 compression and maximum 358 cu in (5,870 cm3) displacement was introduced to the series as an alternative to the V6 engines. Due to the decrease in popularity of the V6, it was phased out for the 1999 season. When the East and West series rules were combined, the compression ratio changed to 12:1.

Cars may use leaded or unleaded fuel. However, when running in conjunction with one of the three national touring (Truck, Xfinity, Cup) series, unleaded fuel must be used.

A Gen-4 Chevrolet Impala (left) and Gen-6 Chevrolet SS at Sonoma Raceway in 2015. Starting lineup - Bryon and Mayhew - Carneros 200 - 1 Stierch.jpg
A Gen-4 Chevrolet Impala (left) and Gen-6 Chevrolet SS at Sonoma Raceway in 2015.

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 based on the Sprint Cup Series Gen 6 models. The new body, developed with Five Star Race Car Bodies, is constructed of a composite laminate blend and designed with easily replaceable body panels, expected to shrink the costs of fabrication dramatically. The body style is eligible for use in both Menards Series competition and ARCA Racing Series competition, replacing the old Gen 4-style steel bodies after 2015, and the current one-piece composite body after 2016. The Chevrolet SS, Ford Fusion, and Toyota Camry bodies used in Sprint Cup are the basis of the new bodies. No Dodge option is available with this car. [9]

Along with all of ARCA and NASCAR's international series, the Menards Series have General Tire as their exclusive tire supplier. [10]

Specifications

List of champions

YearChampionMost Popular DriverRookie of the Year
1954 Lloyd Dane
1955 Danny Letner
1956 Lloyd Dane (2)
1957 Lloyd Dane (3)
1958 Eddie Gray
1959Bob Ross
1960Marvin Porter
1961 Eddie Gray (2)
1962 Eddie Gray (3)
1963 Ron Hornaday Sr.
1964 Ron Hornaday Sr. (2)
1965 Bill Amick Ray Elder
1966Jack McCoy Ray Elder (2)
1967Scotty CainMarshall Sargent
1968Scotty Cain (2) Ray Elder (3)
1969 Ray Elder Ray Elder (4)
1970 Ray Elder (2) Ray Elder (5)
1971 Ray Elder (3) Ray Elder (6)Dick Kranzler
1972 Ray Elder (4) Ray Elder (7)Carl Adams
1973Jack McCoy (2) Ray Elder (8)Richard White
1974 Ray Elder (5) Ray Elder (9)Markey James
1975 Ray Elder (6) Ray Elder (10)Don Puskarich
1976 Chuck Bown Jimmy Insolo Gary Johnson
1977 Bill Schmitt Chuck Bown Pat Mintey
1978 Jimmy Insolo Jimmy Insolo (2) Rick McCray
1979 Bill Schmitt (2) Jimmy Insolo (3)Tim Williamson
1980 Roy Smith David Pearson Don Waterman
1981 Roy Smith (2) Hershel McGriff Jim Bown
1982 Roy Smith (3) Hershel McGriff (2)Jim Reich
1983 Jim Robinson Hershel McGriff (3) Ron Esau
1984 Jim Robinson (2) Hershel McGriff (4) Derrike Cope
1985 Jim Robinson (3) Hershel McGriff (5)Glen Steurer
1986 Hershel McGriff Hershel McGriff (6) Chad Little
1987 Chad Little Hershel McGriff (7)Roman Calczynski
1988 Roy Smith (4) Hershel McGriff (8)Bob Howard
1989 Bill Schmitt (3) Hershel McGriff (9) Bill Sedgwick
1990 Bill Schmitt (4) Hershel McGriff (10) Mike Chase
1991 Bill Sedgwick Hershel McGriff (11)Billy Jac Shaw
1992 Bill Sedgwick (2) Hershel McGriff (12) Rick Carelli
1993 Rick Carelli Rick Carelli Dirk Stephens
1994 Mike Chase Ron Hornaday Jr. Doug George
1995 Doug George Ernie Cope Ernie Cope
1996 Lance Hooper Larry Gunselman Lance Hooper
1997 Butch Gilliland Butch Gilliland Gary Smith
1998 Kevin Harvick Scott Gaylord Austin Cameron
1999 Sean Woodside Butch Gilliland (2) Jason Small
2000 Brendan Gaughan Bobby Dotter Mike Duncan
2001 Brendan Gaughan (2) Brendan Gaughan Mark Reed
2002 Eric Norris Scott Gaylord (2) Mike David
2003 Scott Lynch Austin Cameron Scott Lynch
2004 Mike Duncan Austin Cameron (2) David Gilliland
2005 Mike Duncan (2) Sarah Fisher Andrew Lewis
2006 Eric Holmes Austin Cameron (3) Peyton Sellers
2007 Mike David Mike Duncan Jason Bowles
2008 Eric Holmes (2) Moses Smith Jeff Barkshire
2009 Jason Bowles Moses Smith (2) Paulie Harraka
2010 Eric Holmes (3) Moses Smith (3) Luis Martinez Jr.
2011 Greg Pursley Moses Smith (4) Dylan Kwasniewski
2012 Dylan Kwasniewski Cassie Gannis Austin Dyne
2013 Derek Thorn [11] Cameron Hayley Dylan Lupton
2014 Greg Pursley (2) Brandon McReynolds [12] James Bickford
2015 Chris Eggleston Nicole Behar Noah Gragson
2016 Todd Gilliland Salvatore Iovino [13] Todd Gilliland
2017 Todd Gilliland (2)Not awarded Derek Kraus
2018 Derek Thorn (2) Hailie Deegan
2019 Derek Kraus Jagger Jones
2020 Jesse Love Jesse Love
2021 Jesse Love (2) Jake Drew
2022 Jake Drew Tanner Reif
2023 Sean Hingorani Sean Hingorani
2024 Sean Hingorani (2) Eric Johnson Jr.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stock car racing</span> Form of automobile racing

Stock car racing is a form of automobile racing run on oval tracks and road courses. It originally used production-model cars, hence the name "stock car", but is now run using cars specifically built for racing. It originated in the southern United States; its largest governing body is NASCAR. Its NASCAR Cup Series is the premier top-level series of professional stock car racing. Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and the United Kingdom also have forms of stock car racing. Top-level races typically range between 200 and 600 miles in length.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NASCAR Xfinity Series</span> Second tier division of NASCAR

The NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) is a stock car racing series organized by NASCAR. It is promoted as NASCAR's second-tier circuit to the organization's top level Cup Series. NXS events are frequently held as a support race on the day prior to a Cup Series event scheduled for that weekend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automobile Racing Club of America</span> American auto racing sanctioning body

The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is an auto racing sanctioning body in the United States, founded in 1953 by John Marcum. A subsidiary of NASCAR since 2018, the current president of ARCA is Ron Drager, who took over the position in 1996 following the death of Bob Loga. The ARCA Menards Series races stock cars similar to those seen in past years in the NASCAR Cup Series, and indeed most cars used in the Menards Series were previously used in NASCAR. ARCA contains a mix of both professional racers and hobby racers alike, in addition to younger competitors trying to make a name for themselves, sometimes driving as part of a driver development program for a NASCAR team. ARCA Menards Series races are broadcast on Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2 or MAVTV, and they have been previously broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, USA Network, TNN, Prime Network, CBS Sports Network, NBCSN, TBS, TNT, SpeedVision/Speed and Fox Sports Net.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ARCA Menards Series</span> American stock car racing 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, and hosts events at a variety of track types including superspeedways, road courses, and dirt tracks. 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. However, the series was not officially affiliated with NASCAR until its buyout on April 27, 2018. 2020 was the first season that the series was sanctioned by NASCAR.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ARCA Menards Series East</span> American auto racing series

The ARCA Menards Series East is a regional stock car racing series owned and operated by the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) and the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NASCAR Mexico Series</span> Mexican auto racing series

The NASCAR Mexico Series is a NASCAR series in Mexico. It is the most prestigious stock car racing series in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dylan Lupton</span> American racing driver (born 1993)

Dylan Jarin Lupton is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 15 Ford Mustang for AM Racing, part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 02 Chevrolet Silverado for Young's Motorsports, and part-time in the ARCA Menards Series driving the No. 30 Mustang for Rette Jones Racing. He has also competed in the NASCAR Cup Series, what is now the ARCA Menards Series East, and the ARCA Menards Series West in the past.

Mason Mitchell is an American professional stock car racing driver, team owner, and boxer. He currently competes part-time in Dirt Trucks as an owner/driver, driving the No. 10G Chevrolet Silverado for Mason Mitchell Motorsports, and part-time in the ARCA Menards Series and the ARCA Menards Series East and West, driving the No. 23 Chevrolet SS for Sigma Performance Services. He is the 2014 ARCA Racing Series champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harrison Burton</span> American racing driver (born 2000)

Harrison Brian Burton is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 15 Ford Mustang for AM Racing. He is the son of former NASCAR driver Jeff Burton. In 2020, Burton became the first driver born in the 2000s or later to win a NASCAR Xfinity Series race, and in 2024 became the first to win a NASCAR Cup Series race.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 ARCA Racing Series</span> 65th season of the ARCA Racing Series

The 2017 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards was the 65th season of the ARCA Racing Series. The season began on February 18 with the Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire and ended on October 20 with the Kansas 150. Austin Theriault, driving for Ken Schrader Racing, won the drivers' championship on the strength of seven wins. Dalton Sargeant, winner of three races, was runner-up to Theriault.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Self</span> American racing driver (born 1990)

Michael Self is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed full-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 25 Toyota Camry for Venturini Motorsports. He was a former development driver for Richard Childress Racing, and has made seven NASCAR Xfinity Series starts for JD Motorsports. He has eight wins in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, and nine wins in ARCA competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corey Heim</span> American racing driver (born 2002)

Corey David Heim is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 11 Toyota Tundra for Tricon Garage. He also serves as a reserve driver for 23XI Racing and Legacy Motor Club in the Cup Series. He has previously competed in the ARCA Menards Series, East Series, and West Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armani Williams</span> American racing driver (born 2000)

Armani Williams is an American professional stock car racing driver who competes part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 6 Ford Mustang for MBM Motorsports, and part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 13 Toyota Camry for MBM Motorsports. He has also competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series as well as what are now the ARCA Menards Series East and ARCA Menards Series West in the past.

eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series Series of iRacing events

The eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series was a series of iRacing sim racing events originally organized for NASCAR drivers to compete in after its 2020 seasons were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Drivers from all of NASCAR's series competed in races, including Hall of Fame drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bobby Labonte, and Jeff Gordon. Originally supposed to be a one-time event (the first race of the 2020 season at Homestead-Miami, it quickly became a weekly series, and later included the Saturday Night Thunder series of races for drivers in the lower series of NASCAR. In each race, the series races on virtual versions of the racetracks.

Devon Rouse is an American professional dirt track and stock car racing driver who primarily competes in sprint cars at local tracks in Iowa. He also competed part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, driving the No. 43 Chevrolet Silverado for Reaume Brothers Racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NASCAR engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

NASCAR, the highest governing body and top level division for stock car racing in the United States, has used a range of different types of engine configurations and displacements since its inaugural season in 1949. The engines are currently used in the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, Camping World Truck Series, and the Whelen Modified Tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amber Balcaen</span> Canadian racing driver

Amber Balcaen is a Canadian professional stock car racing driver. She competes full-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 22 Toyota Camry for Venturini Motorsports. She is most known for being the first Canadian woman to win in a NASCAR-sanctioned race in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Spurgeon</span> American racing driver

Tim Spurgeon is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes part-time in the ARCA Menards Series West, driving the No. 86 Toyota Camry for his family-owned team Spurgeon Motorsports.

Michael "Buddy" Kofoid is an American professional dirt track and stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the USAC National Midget Series and POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series, driving for Keith Kunz Motorsports. He is the 2021 and 2022 USAC National Midget Series champion. He also competed part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, driving the No. 51 Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports, and part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 15 Toyota Camry for Venturini Motorsports. He also has competed with the NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws Sprint car Series. He collected his first Win at Husets Speedway on June 23, 2022.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "NASCAR K&N Pro Series West History". NASCAR. February 1, 2011. Archived from the original on December 10, 2011. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
  2. ↑ Keyes, Scott. "Winning the West: West Coast drivers continue a decades-long tradition of speed". StockCarRacing.com. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
  3. ↑ Christley, Jason (December 7, 2010). "2010 Champions Carry On Legacy Of Pioneers". NASCAR. Turner Sports. Archived from the original on April 24, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Camping World named developmental sponsor". NASCAR. Turner Sports. December 16, 2007. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
  5. ↑ Sigala Jr., Sal (January 24, 2010). "K&N Takes Over Title Sponsorship for Camping World Series in 2010". Bleacher Report. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
  6. ↑ "K&N Pro Series West: Career Victories". NASCAR. Turner Sports. Archived from the original on April 5, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2012.
  7. ↑ "NASCAR K&N Pro Series West returns to the Bullring June 11". Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Speedway Motorsports, Inc. March 26, 2011. Archived from the original on February 26, 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ Media Release (November 4, 2014). "NASCAR unveils new K&N Pro Series car at 2014 SEMA show". Fox Sports . Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  10. ↑ "General Tire to Serve as Exclusive Tire Supplier For NASCAR's K&N Pro Series, Pinty's Series and PEAK Mexico Series". NASCAR Home Tracks . February 5, 2019. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  11. ↑ Sbarra, Shon (November 9, 2013). "Thorn Snags K&N Pro Series West Title". NASCAR. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
  12. ↑ Cunningham, Jason (November 19, 2014). "Touring Series Most Popular Drivers Revealed: Champions Rhodes, Seuss Lead 2014 Honorees". hometracks.nascar.com . Daytona Beach, Florida: NASCAR. Archived from the original on 12 September 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  13. ↑ "Six Drivers Earn Most Popular Driver Awards". NASCAR Home Tracks . November 23, 2016. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.