Pit Box: ARCA Menards Series visits Great Plains for first trip to Kansas Speedway in 2023

Following an eventful trip to Talladega Superspeedway two weeks ago, the ARCA Menards Series heads to Kansas Speedway for the first of two visits this season for Saturday’s Dawn 150.

ARCA’s history with Kansas dates to when the track first opened its doors in 2001, as the series’ inaugural visit was just the second race in the facility’s history. Jason Jarrett emerged victorious in a thrilling battle with 10-time ARCA Menards Series champion Frank Kimmel on that day after passing him with four laps remaining.

Since then, Kansas has become a staple on the ARCA schedule with the series visiting the track at least once every season. Among the notable names that have visited Victory Lane at Kansas include Kimmel, Alex Bowman, Ty Gibbs, Chase Briscoe, Ty Dillon, Parker Kligerman and defending ARCA Menards Series champion Nick Sanchez.

With Sanchez not on the entry list for the Dawn 150, a new winner will be crowned at Kansas on Saturday for ARCA’s 26^th visit to the track.

Tickets to the Dawn 150 are available here. Below is everything to know about Friday’s event.

Dawn 150 at Dover Motor Speedway

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

A surprise points leader has emerged in the ARCA Menards Series after three races: Frankie Muniz.

Best known for his acting roles, Muniz’ inaugural ARCA season has been a quiet but successful one. He has completed every lap run thus far with his worst finish being an 11^th at Daytona International Speedway. He followed the opener at Daytona with finishes of sixth at Phoenix Raceway and eighth at Talladega Superspeedway to assume the championship lead.

Although Muniz holds an 11-point advantage, Jesse Love’s victory at Talladega has provided him and Venturini Motorsports with some much-needed momentum heading into the summer. Love will be looking to give Venturini their fifth victory at Kansas on Saturday as he looks to take control of the ARCA point standings.

MORE KANSAS: Buy Tickets | Event Schedule

Love will be joined by Venturini teammates Amber Balcaen, Toni Breidinger and Dean Thompson. A full-time competitor in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Saturday’s Dawn 150 will be Thompson’s third ARCA Menards Series appearance after previously making two starts in 2021 with Sunrise Ford Racing and Niece Motorsports.

Joining the Toyota brigade at Kansas will be Taylor Gray, who is making his first ARCA start of the season with TRICON Garage after driving for Joe Gibbs Racing at Talladega two weeks ago. Connor Mosack takes over the No. 18 for Gibbs this week as he looks to improve upon a second place finish at Daytona.

Other notable entrants for the Dawn 150 include Andres Perez de Lara, Jack Wood, Greg Van Alst, Cody Coughlin, Sean Corr, Andy Jankowiak, Jason Kitzmiller, Mandy Chick and Scott Melton.

The complete entry list for Saturday’s Dawn 150 is available here.

RACING REFERENCE:

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

RACE FACTS:

CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: The starting field for the Dawn 150 is limited to 30 starters plus provisionals. This event will run under the 2023 ARCA Menards Series rules, procedures, regulations, and specifications.

QUALIFYING: Starting positions will be determined by each car’s fastest lap in a timed qualifying session.

RACE PIT STOP: Modified live pit stop procedure. There will be a scheduled caution at or near Lap 50. All cars will be required to make at least one pit stop prior to the last 10 laps. No adding or moving tires to or from pit box once race has started. (Learn about all of ARCA’s pit stop procedures here.)

The maximum tire allotment available for this event is as follows: Per ARCA Rulebook, the maximum number of tires allowed in pit box for use is eight (8).