2024-09-28

ARCA Menards Series Extends Relationship with FS1 and FS2;

ARCA Menards Series Extends Relationship with FS1 and FS2;

To Compete in 20 Races at 19 Tracks in 2025

 

Daytona Season Opener Live on FOX for First Time Ever

 

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - (Sept. 27, 2024) - The ARCA Menards Series has announced a television broadcast agreement extension with FS1 and FS2 that features a full season of live television coverage in 2025. Additionally, as part of the new agreement, the 2025 ARCA Menards Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway will air live on FOX, marking the first time in series history that a race has aired on broadcast television.

 

The relationship, which began with Speedvision in 1999, is now extended through at least 2028.

 

"We're proud of the long-standing partnership between ARCA and FOX Sports in what will span across three decades during the course of this most recent extension" said Ben Baker, NASCAR's VP of Broadcasting & Production Operations.  "FOX's coverage of the ARCA Menards Series continues to expand to a larger audience and we're looking forward to their coverage of great racing in the years to come."

 

ARCA also has released the 2025 ARCA Menards Series schedule, comprised of 20 races at 19 different tracks, with the season opener slated at Daytona International Speedway and, for the fourth consecutive year, it will close at its home track, Toledo Speedway.

 

The highlights:

·       The series will race at Daytona for the 62nd consecutive year dating to 1964; as it has for the last six years, the race will be the opener of a same-day doubleheader with the NASCAR Xfinity Series the day before the DAYTONA 500. FOX will broadcast the Daytona ARCA 200, the first time an ARCA Menards Series race will be broadcast live on an over-the-air network.

·       Kansas Speedway continues to be the only track on the schedule twice, with races scheduled in conjunction with the NASCAR national series in May and September.

·       Tandem races with the NASCAR Cup Series will also take place at Phoenix Raceway in March, Talladega Superspeedway in April, Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, Michigan International Speedway in June, Dover Motor Speedway in July, Iowa Speedway and Watkins Glen International in August, and Bristol Motor Speedway in September.

·       Stand-alone short track races will be held at Berlin Raceway and Elko Speedway in June, Madison International Speedway in August, the traditional fall classic date at Salem Speedway in September, and the championship finale at Toledo Speedway in October.

·       The two dirt miles at the Illinois State Fair and DuQuoin State Fair both return on their traditional weekends.

·       Lime Rock Park will join the schedule for the first time and the half-mile Madison International Speedway rejoins the schedule for the first time since 2019.

The race at Phoenix Raceway in March will be a combination race with the ARCA Menards Series West, while races at Dover Motor Speedway, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Iowa Speedway, and Bristol Motor Speedway will be combination races with the ARCA Menards Series East.

 

The complete 2025 ARCA Menards Series schedule (all times are Eastern):

 

Date

Track, Location

Time (ET)

TV

Feb. 15

Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla.

12:00 PM

FOX

March 7

Phoenix Raceway, Avondale, Ariz.

8:00 PM

FS1

April 26

Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega, Ala.

12:30 PM

FS1

May 9

Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kan.

8:00 PM

FS1

May 23

Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, N.C.

6:00 PM

FS1

June 6

Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, Mich.

5:00 PM

FS2

June 14

Berlin Raceway, Marne, Mich.

7:00 PM

FS1

June 21

Elko Speedway, Elko, Minn.

9:00 PM

FS2

June 28

Lime Rock Park, Lime Rock, Conn.

4:00 PM

FS2

July 18

Dover Motor Speedway, Dover, Del.

5:00 PM

FS1

July 25

Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Brownsburg, Ind.

5:30 PM

FS1

Aug. 1

Iowa Speedway, Newton, Iowa

7:00 PM

FS1

Aug. 8

Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, N.Y.

2:00 PM

FS2

Aug. 17

Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ill.

2:00 PM

FS1

Aug. 22

Madison International Speedway, Madison, Wis.

9:00 PM

FS1

Aug. 31

Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, Du Quoin, Ill.

8:30 PM

FS1

Sept. 11

Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tenn.

5:30 PM

FS1

Sept. 20

Salem Speedway, Salem, Ind.

8:00 PM

FS2

Sept. 26

Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kan.

8:00 PM

FS1

Oct. 4

Toledo Speedway, Toledo, Oh.

4:00 PM

FS2

 

All dates are tentative and subject to change.

 

Schedules for the ARCA Menards Series East and West will be released at a later date.

 

For further information please visit ARCARacing.com; for up-to-the-minute updates follow @ARCA_Racing on Twitter.

 

###

About ARCA

 

The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum in Toledo, Ohio, and acquired by NASCAR in April 2018, is the leading grassroots stock car sanctioning body in the United States. Bridging the gap between NASCAR's top three national touring series and weekly and regional tour racing all across the country, the organization sanctions over 100 races per year in the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, ASA STARS National Tour, ASA CRA Super Series, ASA Midwest Tour, ASA Southern Super Series plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways. For more information about ARCA visit www.arcaracing.com, or follow ARCA on Facebook (@ARCARacing) and Twitter (@ARCA_Racing). 

 

About Menards

 

A family-owned and run company started in 1958, Menards is recognized as the retail home center leader of the Midwest with 341 stores in 15 states.  Menards is truly a one-stop shop for all of your home improvement needs featuring a full-service lumberyard and everything you need to plan a renovation or build a home, garage, cabin, shed, deck, fence or post frame building.  You'll find a large selection of lumber, roofing, siding, construction blocks, trusses, doors and windows, plus cabinets, appliances, countertops, flooring, lighting, paint, plumbing supplies and more.  To complete the job, Menards has quality hand tools, power tools, fasteners, electrical tools plus storage options and supplies for everyone from the weekend warrior to the pro!

 

Menards has what you need to complete your outdoor projects and keep your yard in tip-top shape including mowers, trimmers, blowers, pressure washers and more, plus a beautiful garden center stocked with plants, shrubs, trees, landscaping tools, grass seed, fertilizer options, outdoor décor and patio furniture.  Menards also has everyday essentials like health & beauty products, housewares, pet and wildlife supplies, automotive items and even groceries.  And at Christmas, an Enchanted Forest display area with impressive trees, lighting, decorations, ornaments, inflatables and more. 

 

Menards is known for friendly Customer Service and as the place to "Save Big Money" with low prices every day, and sales too!  For more information, please visit Menards.com to learn about our store locations, offerings and services.


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 28.9.24 0 comments

Kevin Lacroix remporte les 250 tours XPN, Camirand Champion 2024 et Côté recrue de l’année!

Kevin Lacroix remporte les 250 tours XPN, Camirand Champion 2024 et Côté recrue de l'année!
Montmagny (QC), le 22 septembre 2024 - L'Autodrome Montmagny a été l'hôte d'une finale spectaculaire ce dimanche, lors de laquelle Kevin Lacroix a remporté l'épreuve, mais Marc-Antoine Camirand, le titre ultime de Champion de la série NASCAR Canada présenté par Pinty's et Evirum. 
Le champion a été couronné devant des milliers de spectateurs qui ont convergé vers l'ovale en bordure du Saint-Laurent. Le pilote de la Chevrolet #96 GM Paillé devait absolument terminer 15e ou mieux pour s'emparer du titre, ce qu'il fit. 
Toutefois, ce fut un week-end en dents de scie pour Marc-Antoine Camirand, qui s'était imposé lors des deux premières séances d'essais de la journée. Cependant, c'est plutôt la Chevrolet #36 Malois Transport/VR Victoiaville/Lussier d'Alex Labbé qui a récolté le E3 Spark Plugs Pole Award, avec Kevin Lacroix en 2e position. Le meneur au championnat allait s'élancer de la 8e position lors des 250 Tours XPN le lendemain. 
Dimanche, la tension était à son comble, tant pour Labbé qui voulait concrétiser sa pole position en victoire, que pour Camirand qui avait tout à perdre, et pour Lacroix qui avait tout à gagner. 
Dès le départ de la course, Lacroix a tenté de ravir la position de tête à Labbé qui est resté ferme. Raphaël Lessard s'est invité dans la bataille à bord de sa Chevrolet #7 Larue Industrial Snow Blowers, réussissant sa manœuvre. Kevin Lacroix a été relégué en 3e position dès les premiers tours, devant défendre contre la Chevrolet #27 GM Paillé d'Andrew Ranger et la Chevrolet #29 Evirum / BKFC de Steve Côté. Par  contre, Lacroix est revenu à la charge pour retrouver sa place perdue. 
De son côté, Camirand travaillait fort à remonter le peloton. Avec environ 185 tours restants à la course, il était déjà en 3e position, derrière Labbé et Lacroix qui avaient un demi-tour d'avance sur lui. Peu de temps après, Lacroix a été en mesure de prendre les commandes de la course, s'installant confortablement en position de tête.
Une neutralisation avec moins de 140 restants à la course est venue regrouper le peloton. Andrew Ranger, qui était alors le dernier pilote sur le tour du meneur, en a profité pour entrer aux puits pour des ajustements. 
Lors de la relance, un accident majeur impliquant notamment Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, Andrew Ranger, Jean-Philippe Bergeron, Simon Dion-Viens, Glenn Styres et Dave Coursol a causé un drapeau rouge, immobilisant les pilotes sur la piste. Coursol a écopé le plus dans ce carambolage. Le pilote a été évalué à au centre médical de la piste par précaution, et a été relâché aussitôt. 
Après la relance, Alex Guénette s'est invité dans le Top 5 à bord de sa Chevrolet #39 Casino Grand Royal Wolinak/DLGL, tout comme Will Larue qui commandait la Chevrolet #45 Larue Industrial Snow Blowers. 
L'action s'est poursuivie dès la relance de la mi-course, alors que Frédérik Ladouceur, dans la Dodge #51 L'Entrepot Pieces d'Auto/Ray Jr. Investments, a percuté la Chevrolet de Steve Côté, causant une longue neutralisation. Toutefois, Ladouceur, appuyé par l'équipe de D.J. Kennington, a été en mesure de plonger dans les puits à quelques reprises pour des réparations sur sa voiture. 
Lors de la relance avec 103 tours à faire, c'était Lacroix et Camirand qui se retrouvaient en première ligne. Toutefois Lacroix a remporté ce match, tandis que Camirand défendait sa position de la Chevrolet #3 ASSA ABLOY/Accentra/Leland/HGC de Jason Hathaway alors en 3e position. Plus loin dans le peloton, c'était un tour de force entre Theetge et Guénette pour une place dans le Top 5. 
Ce n'est qu'avec une mission en tête que Theetge s'est mis d'attaque sur Labbé qui était en 4e position. Avec 50 tours à faire, c'est Will Larue qui s'est imposé dans le parechoc arrière de Lacroix, avec Camirand en 3e place et Mathieu Kingsbury en 4e place dans la Chevrolet #9 Duroking/Boisclair & Fils/Paillé. 
Les derniers tours furent remplis d'action, à la hauteur de la saison qui allait se conclure. Larue était en attaque sur Lacroix, tandis que Theetge remontait à la 3e position, laissant Kingsbury, Guénette et Camirand se battre en arrière. 
Avec 20 tours à faire, Camirand a pu pousser un souffle de soulagement, alors que l'abandon d' Hathaway a concrétisé son titre de champion 2024, puisqu'il ne restait que 15 voitures en piste. Aux avant-postes, Larue a mis une immense pression sur Lacroix, mais n'a pas été en mesure de passer la voiture NAPA qui a signé la première victoire de NASCAR Canada à l'Autodrome Montmagny. Alex Guénette a terminé en 3e position, avec Mathieu Kingsbury et Donald Theetge qui ont conclu le Top 5. 
Marc-Antoine Camirand a été sacré Champion 2024 en terminant en 6e position, avec Labbé à ses trousses. Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, D.J. Kennington et Rapaël Lessard se sont classés dans le Top 10. 
« Nous avons eu six victoires cette saison », explique Kevin Lacroix, vainqueur de la course et Vice-Champion 2024. « Je pense que nous avons été dominants et la meilleure équipe tout au long de l'année. Nous avons eu des malchances qui nous ont poussés hors du championnat. C'est une belle victoire aujourd'hui, mais en même temps c'est triste de terminer deuxième au championnat. Toutefois, nous terminons la saison avec trois victoires de suite alors nous allons essayer de continuer comme ça en 2025. » 
« J'ai énormément de respect pour Ranger et Lacroix » de dire le Champion 2024. « On s'est livré une bonne bataille jusqu'à la fin. Cette dernière course était spéciale. On est arrivé à Montmagny avec une certaine avance, mais pas assez confortable pour se dire que nous étions corrects. Il y avait certainement un petit stress de plus, mais nous avons faire une course intelligente. Nous avions une bonne voiture lors de la première moitié de la course, puis nous avons eu de la difficulté avec les pneus lors de la deuxième partie. On a réussi à bien conserver cela et terminer en 6e place. Nous avons travaillé fort tout au long de la saison avec un commanditaire exceptionnel. Maintenant que nous avons deux championnats, nous en voulons un troisième! » 
Steve Côté n'a pas eu une course facile alors qu'il a été poussé à l'abandon. Il évoluait toutefois parmi les meneurs une bonne partie de l'épreuve. Néanmoins, il a empoché le titre de Recrue de l'année. 

-30-


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2024-09-06

An International and Historic Affair: NASCAR Cup Series to Compete in Mexico City for First Time as Part of 2025 Schedule


An International and Historic Affair: NASCAR Cup Series to Compete in Mexico City for First Time as Part of 2025 Schedule 

 

The Historic Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez to Host First International Cup Series Points Event in the Modern Era; Race to Air on Prime Video

NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Mexico Series to Join Marquee June 14-15 Weekend; Xfinity Series Race to Air on The CW

 

MEXICO CITY (Aug. 27, 2024) – For the first time in its storied history, the NASCAR Cup Series will see cars hit the track for a points race in Mexico. On Sunday, June 15, 2025, the world-class Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez road course in vibrant Mexico City will host the milestone event as part of the 2025 schedule. The monumental weekend will also include the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Mexico Series competing on the road course.

 

The new international NASCAR event was announced today as part of a press conference at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City with Ben Kennedy, NASCAR's Executive Vice President & Chief Venue & Racing Innovation Officer, Federico Alaman, Head of Commercial Partnerships for OCESA, Jimmy Morales, CEO of NASCAR Mexico Series, and Daniel Suárez, driver of No. 99 for Trackhouse Racing.

 

"This is a historic moment for our sport, and specifically for the NASCAR Cup Series, in being able to expand our footprint to Mexico," said Kennedy. "We've been bold about our intentions to grow on a global scale, and there isn't a better place to take the next step in that journey than at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez road course in Mexico City."

 

"At OCESA, we are dedicated to entertaining people, and this has positioned us as the most powerful live events platform in Mexico and Latin America, as well as one of the most important globally," said Alejandro Soberón, Founder and CEO of OCESA. "The arrival of the NASCAR Cup Series to our country reflects the significant growth that motorsports has experienced in Mexico, an achievement in which Escudería Telmex has played a major role by promoting the NASCAR Mexico Series and supporting drivers like Daniel Suárez."

 

The historic road course is 2.674 miles long, boasts 17 turns and sits at an elevation of 7,342 feet. Built in 1959, the track was named in honor of racing brothers Ricardo Rodríguez and Pedro Rodríguez. The circuit was remodeled back in 2015 and has hosted eight Formula 1 Grand Prix´s since then, becoming one of the most popular international racing circuits and a spectacular destination for NASCAR fans to experience.

 

While the race will be a first in the Cup Series, there is a storied relationship between NASCAR and Mexico. In 1950, NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. and Curtis Turner participated in La Carrera Panamericana road race across Mexico. Between 2005-2008, the Xfinity Series competed at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, with current Cup Series stars Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex, Jr. all earning a victory there during the four-year stretch.

 

Additionally, the NASCAR Mexico Series has been the premier stock-car racing series across Mexico with 17 seasons under the NASCAR name, developing future talent along the way — including Cup Series winning driver Daniel Suárez and current Drive for Diversity rising stars Eloy López, Andres Pérez de Lara and Regina Sirvent. The series competed in the United States earlier this year when it joined the Cup Series for the Busch Light Clash at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum event weekend in February.

 

The Cup Series first competed internationally on July 1, 1952 at Stamford Park, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada in a race won by Buddy Shuman. The last Cup Series international points race was on July 18, 1958 at Canadian Exposition Stadium in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NASCAR also held three exhibition races at Suzuka Circuitland in Suzuka City, Japan in 1996-1998.

 

The action at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez will begin with the Mexico Series and Xfinity Series as part of the June 14-15 race weekend. The NASCAR Mexico race weekend will culminate with the first international points event in Cup Series modern history on Sunday, June 15. The Cup Series event will air live on Prime Video while Saturday's Xfinity Series tilt to air live on The CW.

 

While information on tickets has not been announced, fans can register online to receive event and ticket information at www.nascarmexico.com.

 

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation's major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

 

For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, X and Snapchat.

 

About OCESA

OCESA is Mexico's leading live entertainment company and has been part of Live Nation Entertainment, the largest and most recognized events promoter company worldwide, since 2019. For additional information, visitwww.ocesa.com.mx. Get in touch on Twitter: @ocesa_total, Facebook: @OCESAmx and Instagram: @OCESA.




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