Sammy Smith, driver of the TMC Toyota, practices ahead of the Herr’s Snacks 200 for the ARCA Menards Series at Salem Speedway in Salem, Indiana on October 1, 2022. (Emilee Chinn/ARCA Racing)
(Photo: Emilee Chinn/ARCA Racing)

Toyota claims 2022 ARCA Menards Series manufacturer’s championship

www.arcaracing.com December 8, 2022

Toyota continues to set the benchmark for manufacturers in the ARCA Menards Series after clinching its seventh manufacturer’s championship during the 2022 season.

Toyota clinched the manufacturer’s championship, its sixth straight, following Sammy Smith’s fourth victory of the season at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sept. 15.

Smith won six ARCA Menards Series races during the 2022 season, more than any other driver. In addition, Brandon Jones (three), Corey Heim (two), Chandler Smith (one) and Jesse Love (one) also scored ARCA Menards Series victories for Toyota in 2022.

In all, Toyota drivers and teams won 13 of the 20 ARCA Menards Series races contested in 2022.

“We are excited to continue to have such success in the ARCA Menards Series,” said Paul Doleshal, Group Manager, Motorsports and Assets, Toyota Motor North America. “Our team partners continue to deliver outstanding performance on-track and offer great opportunities for our development drivers’ growth as race car drivers. We are pleased that our teams have continued to deliver such consistent finishes resulting in our sixth-consecutive ARCA manufacturer’s title.”

Toyota supported three ARCA Menards Series teams in 2022, Venturini Motorsports, Kyle Busch Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing. All three organizations scored victories, with Smith and Kyle Busch Motorsports leading the way with six victories.

Venturini Motorsports visited Victory Lane four times with Heim, Chandler Smith and Love, while Joe Gibbs Racing collecting three victories with Jones behind the wheel.

In addition to the ARCA Menards Series manufacturer’s championship, Smith and Kyle Busch Motorsports also won the ARCA Menards Series East and Sioux Chief Showdown championships in 2022.

Toyota entered the ARCA Menards Series in 2007 and won its first of seven manufacturer’s championships in 2013, followed by six straight crowns from 2017-22. Toyota has also captured seven driver championships and has 129 ARCA Menards Series victories following the conclusion of the 2022 season.