PIT BOX: Michael Self Eyes Repeat History In Return To Lebanon I-44

In a season of change, the Round 14 of the 2020 ARCA Menards Series season will see the series head to a new venue that was not only not on the original schedule, but will host its inaugural series’ event.

But not all the ARCA Menards Series drivers are unfamiliar with Lebanon I-44 Speedway, the .375-mile banked oval that will host the Zinsser SmartCoat 200 Saturday night (8 p.m. CT / 9 p.m. ET). In fact, ARCA Menards Series championship points leader Michel Self has not only raced there, he’s won there.

The ARCA Menards Series race will also be round eight of the Sioux Chief Showdown, and will air live on MAVTV and TrackPass on NBC Gold.

Another unique feature for 2020: Fans will be allowed at the race track.

BUY TICKETS

Central Missouri area Menards stores will offer local race fans the chance to “Save Big Money” by purchasing advance, discounted race tickets to the Zinsser SmartCoat 200 beginning on Monday, August 24. Tickets at participating Menards locations are just $20.

Zinsser SmartCoat 200

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

The box scores shows Self won that race back in 2013. It was his third straight West win, coming off win on a road course (Minnesota’s Brainard Raceway) and a breakthrough victory at Iowa Speedway.

It was anything but easy. Self spun midway through the race, and then came back to make a three-wide pass in the closing laps that saw the two race leaders spin and set up an overtime finish. Self pulled away for the West series event there under the NASCAR banner in 2013.

Much has changed in the ensuing seven years, and Self will face a stacked deck if he’s going to repeat the feat this weekend.

Self got that road course win two races ago, but is coming off one of his worst finishes in the last two ARCA Menards Series seasons. He spun into the wall at WWT Raceway at Gateway, and watched his top challenger, Bret Holmes, narrow the points lead yet again.

With the high-banked short track also being a Sioux Chief Showdown event, the field will include Ty Gibbs, Sam Mayer and Chandler Smith, who have combined to win 11 of 12 ARCA Menards and ARCA Menards East events outside of the superspeedway events (Daytona, Talladega and Michigan). The only outlier was Self’s win over Gibbs and Mayer at the DAYTONA Road Course.

Smith finished second at Gateway to regain his Sioux Chief Showdown championship lead – by two over Mayer and four over Gibbs – and will look to end a career-long five-race winless streak.

Throwing change from how 2020 has gone into the proceedings: The field will be set by qualifying and the schedule includes a 45-minute practice session.

RACING REFERENCE: Previous ARCA Menards races at Lebanon I-44 | ARCA Menards Drivers at Lebanon I-44 | 2020 ARCA Menards Series Standings | Sioux Chief Showdown Update & Standings

RACE FACTS

RACE CENTER | ENTRY LIST | RACE EVENT GUIDE

CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: The starting field for the Zinsser SmartCoat 200 is limited to 35, including provisional positions. The field will be set by qualifying (1-24) and provisional process per the entry blank (25-36) for the Zinsser SmartCoat 200. The remaining 11 spots will be awarded through the provisional process. This event will be run under the 2020 ARCA Menards Series rules, procedures, regulations and specifications.

QUALIFYING: Two consecutive qualifying laps. Faster lap determines qualifying position. Adjustments or repairs may not be made on the vehicle after the vehicle has taken the green flag at the start/finish line. Vehicles will be impounded after qualifying. Vehicle must qualify on race set up.

RACE PIT STOP: No adding or moving tires to or from pit box once race has started. A maximum four (4) crew members may service car. No tires and fuel may be added outside of the break.

The Zinsser SmartCoat 200 will be 200 laps (75 miles) and is to be run in three (3) segments. The race will have the first break, at or near the conclusion of Lap 75; and a second break, at or near the conclusion of Lap 150. At the conclusion of the break(s), vehicles will line up in the order they were running at the beginning of the break.

The maximum tire allotment available for this event is as follows: Per ARCA Rulebook, maximum number of tires allowed in pit box for use in race is six (6).