ARCA roots prevalent for many new additions to NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers list

For many of the 25 drivers who were recently named to NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers list, the ARCA platform was an important part of their early careers.

Stars like Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano, championships on the ARCA platform were a vital step as they prepared for their careers in the NASCAR Cup Series, where each driver ultimately became champions again.

For many others, like Ryan Newman, Ron Hornaday Jr. and Martin Truex Jr., strong performances on the ARCA platform proved they had what it took to race and win at the top levels of NASCAR.

Of the 25 drivers who were recently added to NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers list, 18 have experience in the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East and/or ARCA Menards Series West. Below are their ARCA platform stats.

Kasey Kahne

1 ARCA Menards Series start, 14th place finish

1 East Series start, 2nd place finish

Mike Stefanik

Two-time East Series champion, 12 Wins, 65 Top 5s, 102 Top 10s, 9 Poles

Randy LaJoie

1 ARCA Menards Series start, 4th-place finish

21 East Series starts, 5 Top 5s, 8 Top 10s, 1 Pole

Kyle Larson

3 ARCA Menards Series starts, 1 Win, 2 Top 5s, 2 Top 10s, 1 Pole

1 West Series start, 1 Win, 1 Top 5, 1 Top 10, 1 Pole

2012 East Series champion, 2 Wins, 8 Top 5s, 12 Top 10s, 1 Pole

Greg Biffle

2 West Series starts, 1 Top 5, 1 Top 10

Sterling Marlin

2 ARCA Menards Series starts, best finish 16th

Ryan Newman

8 ARCA Menards Series starts, 4 Wins, 4 Top 5s, 5 Top 10s, 3 Poles

Denny Hamlin

2 ARCA Menards Series starts, 1 Top 5, 1 Top 10

Chase Elliott

12 ARCA Menards Series starts, 1 Win, 6 Top 5s, 11 Top 10s, 1 Pole

4 West Series starts, 1 Win, 3 Top 5s, 3 Top 10s, 1 Pole

26 East Series starts, 1 win, 9 Top 5s, 15 Top 10s, 1 Pole

Ron Hornaday Jr.

3 ARCA Menards Series starts, 1 Win, 2 Top 5s, 3 Top 10s

45 West Series starts, 6 Wins, 20 Top 5s, 26 Top 10s, 10 Poles

Martin Truex Jr.

62 East Series starts, 5 Wins, 23 Top 5s, 32 Top 10s, 13 Poles

Brad Keselowski

3 ARCA Menards Series starts, best finish 17th

Larry Phillips

1 West Series start, 13th-place finish

Sam Ard

1 ARCA Menards Series start, 36th-place finish

Kurt Busch

3 West Series starts, 1 Top 10

Kyle Busch

9 ARCA Menards Series starts, 3 Wins, 3 Top 5s, 3 Top 10s, 3 Poles

1 East Series start, 1 Win, 1 Top 5, 1 Top 10, 1 Pole

Joey Logano

2007 East Series champion, 5 Wins, 10 Top 5s, 10 Top 10s, 3 Poles

4 ARCA Menards Series starts, 2 Wins, 4 Top 5s, 4 Top 10s, 1 Pole

4 West Series starts, 2 Wins, 2 Top 5s, 2 Top 10s

Kevin Harvick

1998 West Series champion, 24 West Series starts, 7 Wins, 15 Top 5s, 18 Top 10s

2 ARCA Menards Series starts, 2 Top 5s, 2 Top 10s