Fast Facts: ARCA Racing Series

Ron Drager, president of ARCA, and Jim France, Vice Chairman
and Executive VP of NASCAR, agree to the acquisition of ARCA
by NASCAR - credit: NASCAR

Last week, NASCAR announced the acquisition of the Automobile Racing Club of America, better known as the ARCA Racing Series. Learn more about this series, which dates back more than six decades, in this week’s Fast Facts.

• ARCA was founded in 1953 in Toledo, OH, originally known as the Midwest Association for Race Cars (MARC). Founder John Marcum raced against Bill France Sr. and later worked as a NASCAR official before founding the series – it was France who suggested the series’ name change to ARCA in 1964 in effort to gain more national exposure. 1964 was also the first year the series became part of Speedweeks at Daytona.
• The ARCA Racing Series has been a proving ground for up-and-coming drivers looking to get a shot at the top NASCAR series; a common route for young drivers used to be known as the “ABC” program – ARCA, Busch (now Xfinity) and Cup. It is a “training ground” for pit crew members as well.
• While many drivers – including current NASCAR regulars Justin Allgaier, Ty Dillon and Chris Buescher (all past series’ champs) – have used the series as a stepping stone,  a few drivers, most notably 10-time series champ Frank Kimmel and eight-time Daytona ARCA race winner Bobby Gerhart, have made their names in the series.
• NASCAR has stated that the ARCA Racing Series will continue under its current structure through the 2019. Find out more about the series and its current schedule at www.arcaracing.com.