Andrew Patterson’s venture into team ownership begins with an eight-race ARCA Menards Series schedule

The idea of owning an ARCA Menards Series team seemed far-fetched to Andrew Patterson only a few years ago.

Starting with the ARCA Menards Series East opener at Five Flags Speedway on March 22, Patterson will have his own team on the starting grid. The No. 40 Win Supply/SCS Gearbox Chevrolet fielded by Andrew Patterson Racing is set to participate in eight events on the ARCA Menards Series platform during the 2025 season.

Patterson admitted the entire process of assembling his own team from the ground up has been surreal. He has worked tirelessly to have everything ready ahead of next month’s season-opener and is optimistic APR can make steady progress with each race.

“It’s a little overwhelming and it’s still sinking in that we’re closing in on being a month out from our first race as a new team,” Patterson said. “When I moved down here in 2021, I never imagined this is where I’d end up. I was just a kid who watched NASCAR growing up and was going to do everything I could to be in the position I’m in now.”

Departing his home state of Ohio was a tough decision for Patterson, but one he knew was essential towards a sustainable career in motorsports.

Patterson arrived in North Carolina with plenty of go-kart experience on his side but no discernible idea on how to properly utilize that strength. Arriving at Jordan Anderson Racing as a mechanic provided Patterson clarity on what he needed to find success as a competitor.

With Anderson as his mentor, Patterson has gradually carved out his own path in the industry. After competing in several Legends races during his first two years in North Carolina, Patterson made the jump to Late Model Stocks in 2023 behind the wheel of a car prepared by Jeb Burton and two-time NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series champion Peyton Sellers.

One year later, Patterson became a Late Model Stock team owner at the age of 21. He primarily competed at short tracks close to home like Tri-County Motor Speedway and Orange County Speedway, all while mentally preparing himself to advance the organization into the ARCA Menards Series.

Patterson is following a similar model that Anderson implemented as he progressed from short tracks all the way to becoming a NASCAR Xfinity Series team owner. Being able to lean on Anderson’s guidance and experiences has helped Patterson build confidence in his ability to operate everything at his own discretion.

“I can’t iterate enough how big of a help Jordan’s been,” Patterson said. “We work and set up these cars at a shop he uses essentially for storage. He’s been super great helping me get stuff together and giving me advice on building the team. He’s the one who pushed me to go out on my own and start the team like how he did.

“That’s going to allow me to control my own destiny in this sport.”

Patterson is relying on his determination to seamlessly transition into the ARCA Menards Series as a team owner. One aspect that is assisting Patterson with the venture is the experience he obtained on the platform in limited starts last year.

MAN Motorsports fielded a car for Patterson in six events between the national ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East. Patterson tallied a fifth in his standalone East Series appearance, while his best showing on the national was a 12^th at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Logging laps at several different tracks with MAN Motorsports provided Patterson a baseline with how to approach his program’s part-time schedule. Although does not expect strong results to come easy, Patterson said his time as a Late Model Stock owner taught him the importance of building a strong foundation.

“The biggest thing is people make a difference,” Patterson said. “[It’s important to have] people that care and are knowledgeable around you that are willing to put in the work. Through our time running [the Late Model Stock team], I learned a lot about car setup and maintenance. You also need to keep people involved and build relationships with companies.”

Patterson has spent many evenings and weekends over the offseason working closely with several Jordan Anderson Racing employees to refine the performance of his cars. The effort has been strenuous at times, but Patterson is eager to head to Five Flags and see where he stacks up against the East Series regulars.

No matter how Five Flags unfolds, Patterson is elated to simply be in the ARCA Menards Series as a team owner less than five years after departing Ohio to pursue his racing ambitions. Patterson intends to take full advantage of the opportunity in front of him and build APR into a successful, race-winning operation.

“I’m building this with the goal in mind to run in the top five no matter where we go,” Patterson said. “That’s what I feel like I need to do and where this team I put together should run. We’re going to do what we need to do to show up and be competitive. We can compete for top five and top threes.

“Maybe we can get in the mix for a win here and there.”

The other events on Patterson’s schedule include the East Series’ return to Rockingham Speedway, along with national events at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Dover Motor Speedway, IRP, Bristol Motor Speedway, Kansas Speedway and the ARCA Menards Series finale at Toledo Speedway.

Patterson’s first race with his own team commences on March 22 at Five Flags Speedway for the Pensacola 150. FloRacing will provide coverage of all the on-track action.