Gavin Harlien to make ARCA Debut this weekend for Venturini Motorsports
Earlier this season, Venturini Motorsports announced that Stadium Super Trucks series driver Gavin Harlien would make his ARCA Menards Series at World Wide Technology Speedway. Harlien admits though he is a little bit nervous about making his ARCA debut this weekend. “I’m definitely pumped for this.” Harlien said “I’ve been racing in the Stadium Super Truck Series for the past few years so this is going to be a little different for me. The biggest challenge is getting used to the cars since I only have driven them once at this point and just being patient as the race goes on.” Harlien said
This is a three-race deal with Venturini Motorsports which includes this weekend at Gateway as well as Iowa and Salem later on in the season and Harlien says he will use these as a learning curve heading into future races. “The good thing about this deal with Venturini Motorsports is that it’s towards the end of the season so I don’t have to worry about points or running for a championship. My goals for these three races is to learn as much as possibly can and hopefully get a top ten and work my way up from there.” Harlien said
Venturini Motorsports is one of the top teams in the ARCA Menards Series and has a strong partnership with Toyota and says it brings his confidence up even more. “Working with a team that is high up in the point standings just brings up my confidence heading into this race. I’ve also talked with Sheldon Creed as well who is the 2018 ARCA Menards Series Champion who has the same background as I am so I’m pretty confident.” Harlien said
Harlien’s goal is to get up to the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series one day and says that goal starts in these three races in ARCA. “That is for sure a goal I have.” Harlien said “I think these three races with Venturini Motorsports is definitely a great first step. I don’t know what the next steps will be but hopefully doing these three races and hopefully a full ARCA season next year, it will be a great step for my future.” Harlien said
On top of Racing, Harlien is an incoming junior at the University of Arizona and admits between racing and school, it’s tough to find some free time in his schedule. “I’m usually doing about one to two races a month in Stadium Super Trucks and I will be continuing to do stadium super trucks while making my debut in the ARCA Menards Series. Luckily, this is all getting started during my summer break from U of A. In the past, I’ve always been able to make it work and I’m just going to use the free time that I do have to the most of it.” Harlien said
Harlien will be driving the number 55 Autism Awareness Toyota for Venturini Motorsports this weekend. Harlien is running a special paint scheme this weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway. Harlien will be caring the colors for Autism Speaks to honor his sister who has Autism.
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