ARCA Menards Series Race Preview: Toledo

ARCA Menards Series Race Preview: Toledo

 

The ARCA Menards Series is heading to Toledo Speedway this weekend for the Sioux Chief Power Plex 200 which will be raced on Sunday at 2 PM on MAV TV. Toledo is the birthplace of the ARCA Menards Series, and it is where the Series Headquarters is located.

 

The ARCA Menards Series has come every year to the Glass City since 1985 and some of the biggest names who now race or have raced in NASCAR have won at the Ohio Race Track Including Frank Kimmel, Ken Schrader, Michael McDowell, Justin Allgaier, Parker Kligerman, Chris Buescher, Ty Dillon, Todd Gilliand, Harrison Burton, and Zane Smith.

 

There’s a very competitive field this year in this year’s race so here are some of the racers you should watch out for this week in Toledo.

 

Chandler Smith – Chandler will be driving the number 20 Craftsman Toyota for Venturini Motorsports in the race this weekend. He won the pole for last year’s race and led a total of 97 laps. He ended up finishing 4th in that race but expect him to be one of the favorites to win this weekend.

 

Christian Eckes – Christian will be driving the 15 JBL Audio Toyota for Venturini Motorsports in this weekend’s race. Like Chandler, he was also running up in the front for most of this race last year until he cut a tire which ended his race. After sitting out Salem due to food poisoning and getting caught up in a crash in Talladega, Christian picked up his first win of the season in Nashville two weeks ago. Look for him to be one of the favorites in Toledo this weekend.

 

Michael Self – Michael will be driving the 25 Sinclair Oil Toyota for Venturini Motorsports in this weekend’s Race. Michael is running for the Series Championship this season in his first full season in the ARCA Menards Series. Michael has won 2 Short track races this year at Five Flags Speedway and Salem Speedway earlier this year. Michael is currently second in points and is running his first ARCA Race at Toledo.

 

Halie Deegan – Hailie will be driving the 55 IK9 Toyota for Venturini Motorsports at this weekend’s race. This is one of the biggest stories heading into this weekend’s race as Deegan makes her ARCA debut this weekend in Toledo. Deegan is a NASCAR Next Driver and competes in the NASCAR K&N Pro West Series. Deegan currently sits 4th in points in K&N West and won the series opening race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway earlier this year.

 

Ty Gibbs – Ty will be driving the 18 Monster Energy Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing this weekend. Ty is the grandson of team owner and former Washington Redskins Super Bowl Winning Coach Joe Gibbs. Ty has impressed this season in the three races that he has raced in the ARCA Menards Series. He has had two second-place finishes this season including the last ARCA Race in Nashville. Look for him to be a name to watch this weekend.

 

Sam Mayer – Sam will be driving the 21 GMS Racing Chevrolet this weekend. Sam is currently second in points in the K&N East Series and won the K&N East Bristol Race Earlier this year. Look for Mayer to be one of the names to watch as he has Marty Lindley as his crew chief in both K&N and ARCA Races this year. Lindley won last’s years race as the crew chief for Zane Smith.

 

Tanner Gray – Tanner will be driving the 54 DGR Crosley Toyota for DGR Crosley this weekend. Tanner comes to NASCAR after spending time in the NHRA’s Pro Stock Series as he won the Pro Stock Championship last year. Tanner competes in the K&N East Series full time and won the first race at South Boston a few weeks ago.

 

Carson Hocevar – Carson will be driving the 28 KBR Development Chevrolet this weekend. He made his ARCA Debut last season at Toledo and finished 11th. If you are looking for a local kid to root for Carson is your guy as he is from Portage, Michigan.

 

Corey Heim – Corey will be driving the 22 Chad Bryant Racing Ford this weekend. Heim has scored two top 5 finishes this season in ARCA so look for him to be running towards the front.

 

Joe Graf Jr – Joe will be driving the 77 Chad Bryant Racing Ford this weekend. Graf Jr finished third in this race last year and currently sits 4th in the ARCA Menards Series Point Standings this season.

 

Bret Holmes – Bret will be driving the 23 Bret Holmes Racing Chevrolet this weekend. Holmes finished fifth in last year’s race and currently sits 3rd in the ARCA Menards Series Point Standings.

 

Travis Braden – Travis will be driving the 27 MartixCare Ford for RFMS Racing This Weekend. Travis currently is leading the points standings for the ARCA Menards Series at this point in the season. Travis finished 8th in last year’s race and look for him to be an upset pick this weekend in the Glass City.

 

The Sioux Chief Powerplex 200 will be on Sunday, May 19th at 2 PM on MAVTV.