2012-12-16 20.08.06

 

    TOLEDO, Ohio – November 13, 2013) – The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards is no stranger to dirt track racing – and the 2014 season will be no different. Series officials have announced today that the series will once again compete on the 1-mile dirt tracks at the Illinois State Fairgrounds and DuQuoin State Fairgrounds.

 

    The series will be in Springfield at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Aug. 16 and at DuQuoin on Labor Day, Sept. 1.

 

    “We always look forward to ARCA on the two dirt mile tracks,” said race promoter Bob Sargent, with Track Enterprises. “They bring such a diverse driver pool and great talent. We look forward to seeing young, old, male, female, and even local drivers compete against the full time professionals.”

 

Dirt track racing is as much a part of the ARCA roots as racing on paved ovals, from short tracks to superspeedways. In fact, the first dirt track race of 2014 will mark the 350th ARCA race on a dirt track since the series’ inception in 1953.

 

    “The state fair dirt venues in Illinois are vitally important to the character and identity of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards,” said ARCA President Ron Drager. “It’s a conscious effort on our part to continue to recognize the role non-pavement tracks played in the development of our series, and motorsports as a whole, and the role dirt racing continues to play today.”

 

    In 2013, Venturini Motorsports driver Brennan Poole won at Springfield in a wild finish to a race that was broadcast by NBC Sports Group. At DuQuoin, NASCAR veteran Kenny Schrader won his second race of the season, becoming the oldest winner in series history. It was a dominating day for Schrader, who also won the Menards Pole Award presented by Ansell.

 

   “We, at Track Enterprises, are very much looking forward to ARCA on the famous dirt miles,” Sargent said. “The 2013 events gave that fans some great racing excitement and we expect 2014 to be even better.”

 

    The announcement of the two Illinois dirt tracks to the 2014 schedule brings the number of dates set for next season to 12 races for the ARCA Racing Series. More races will be announced soon, Drager said.

2014 ARCA RACING SERIES PRESENTED BY MENARDS

Day, date   Track
Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014            Daytona International Speedway
Saturday, March 22, 2014         Mobile International Speedway
Sunday, April 27, 2014              Salem Speedway
Sunday, June 1, 2014                New Jersey Motorsports Park
Saturday, June 7, 2014             Pocono Raceway
Friday, June 13, 2014               Michigan International Speedway
Friday, August 1, 2014             Pocono Raceway
Sunday, August 17, 2014         Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield
Monday, Sept. 1, 2014              DuQuoin State Fairgrounds
Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014          Salem Speedway
Friday, Sept. 19, 2014              Kentucky Speedway
Friday, Oct. 3, 2014                  Kansas Speedway