PIT BOX: ARCA Menards Series returns to Kansas as championship battle rages on

Following a rain-shortened outing at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, the ARCA Menards Series quickly returns to action Saturday at Kansas Speedway for the Kansas Lottery 150.

This event will serve as the 17^th race on the 2022 ARCA Menards Series schedule. It will broadcast live on MAVTV Motorsports Network with a live stream available on FloRacing. MRN, SiriusXM (XM channel 391, online channel 981) and ARCARacing.com will also carry live audio coverage of the event.

Current ARCA Menards Series points leader Nick Sanchez enters Saturday’s race as the most recent winner of the fall Kansas race for the series. He also won the series’ most recent event at Kansas back on May 14.

Tickets to Saturday’s Kansas Lottery 150, a doubleheader with the NASCAR Xfinity Series, are available. Below is everything to know about the race.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

Tempers flared and sparks flew when the ARCA Menards Series first visited Kansas this season.

What appeared to be another dominant victory for Corey Heim evaporated with 43 laps remaining after he and Drew Dollar crashed while battling for the lead, which prompted an irate response from Heim’s team owner Billy Venturini.

Sanchez took advantage of the accident between Heim and Dollar to win his second consecutive race on the 2022 season, providing him some much-needed momentum that has enabled him to hold the ARCA Menards Series points lead through the summer.

Sanchez will be going for his third victory at Kansas on Saturday, but he will face a competitive field of cars that includes Heim, who is determined to avenge his heartbreaking defeat from May.

Driving the No. 18 for Kyle Busch Motorsports on Saturday at Kansas will be Sammy Smith, who has won six races between the national ARCA division and the ARCA Menards Series East this year. Smith will also attempt the NASCAR Xfinity Series race earlier in the day.

MORE KANSAS: Entry List | Schedule | Tickets

Daniel Dye and Rajah Caruth enter the Kansas Lottery 150 looking to make a run at Sanchez for the ARCA Menards Series points lead. Dye remains within striking distance of Sanchez, while a blown engine for Caruth at DuQuoin caused him to take a major hit in the standings.

Joining the ARCA Menards Series regulars at Kansas this weekend include several notable part-time competitors. Christian Rose is set to make his seventh ARCA Menards Series start with Bruce Cook’s team, while Ryan Huff makes his first appearance since his run at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May.

The Kansas Lottery 150 will also see the return of Cody Coughlin and his family-owned operation. Coughlin’s team made their debut at Michigan International Speedway last month, where they brought home a respectable lead-lap finish in eighth.

The complete entry list for Saturday’s Kansas Lottery 150 can be found here.

RACING REFERENCE: 

• Previous ARCA races at Kansas
• ARCA Menards Series drivers at Kansas

RACE FACTS

CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: The starting field for the Kansas Lottery 150 is limited to 30 plus provisional positions. This event will be run under the 2022 ARCA Menards Series rules, procedures, regulations and specifications.

QUALIFYING: Starting lineup set by timed session results plus provisionals.

RACE PIT STOP: Modified live pit stop procedure. There will be an ARCA competition caution at or near Lap 50. All cars will be required to make at least one pit stop prior to last 10 laps of race.

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 eight (8).