PIT BOX: Twists and turns await ARCA Menards Series competitors at Watkins Glen

Friday’s race at Watkins Glen International (1:30 p.m. ET on FS2) will serve as the first of two road-course events for the national ARCA Menards Series in 2026.

One of the most historic tracks in United States motorsports history, Watkins Glen originally hosted events for Formula One from 1961-80. After Formula One left, Watkins Glen lived on as a staple for endurance and the NASCAR Cup Series, all while hosting events for other tours like the IndyCar Series and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.

Although the ARCA Menards Series East’s history at Watkins Glen dates to 1993 when it was under NASCAR sanctioning, the national ARCA Menards Series held its first race at the track in 2001. The series did not return to Watkins Glen for another 20 years, but the facility has been a part of the national schedule every season since 2021.

Watkins Glen’s prestige, combined with the fact the event is part of a quadrupleheader weekend with NASCAR’s national series, means there will be an influx of road-course ringers and NASCAR stars for Friday’s ARCA Menards Series race. That will make the prospect of joining the elite list of Watkins Glen winners even more challenging for the full-time ARCA competitors.

Tickets to Friday’s General Tire 100 at the Glen can be purchased here. Below is everything to know ahead of the fifth race on the 2026 ARCA Menards Series calendar.

General Tire 100 at the Glen

During last year’s trip to Watkins Glen International, Tristan McKee surprised many by winning in his ARCA Menards Series debut after Brent Crews suffered a mechanical issue prior to the final restart while leading.

McKee enters Friday’s General Tire 100 at the Glen as the ARCA Menards Series East points leader having won two of the opening three events this season. McKee’s lone start on the national ARCA Menards Series this year at Phoenix Raceway saw him place second to his Pinnacle Racing Group teammate Carson Brown, who is also entered this weekend.

Joe Gibbs Racing looks to avenge last year’s bitter Watkins Glen defeat with Max Reaves piloting the team’s No. 18 Toyota. Reaves earned his first ARCA Menards Series platform victory of the season at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway last weekend but is also looking to gain valuable experience with only a handful of road-course starts to his name.

One of the names Gibbs and PRG will have to battle Friday afternoon is three-time NASCAR Canada Series champion Andrew Ranger, who will make his first ARCA Menards Series start since 2014. Ranger won four of the seven ARCA Menards Series events he’s entered and will drive for the same car owner Friday: Robert Torriere.

Fresh off his first ARCA Menards Series victory last month at Talladega Superspeedway, Andy Jankowiak will look to build upon that momentum in the General Tire 100 at the Glen. Jankowiak has contested all five ARCA Menards Series events at Watkins Glen this decade, scoring a best finish of seventh twice in 2023 and 2025.

A busy weekend is ahead for Dystany Spurlock, who will make her NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut with MBM Motorsports after the conclusion of the General Tire 100 at the Glen. Spurlock will seek to use her road-course experience from her time in the Skip Barber Racing School Formula Race Series to put together another solid outing this weekend.

Other drivers set to compete at Watkins Glen include Kaden Honeycutt, Isaac Kitzmiller, Kyle Steckly, Ryan Gemmell, Patrick Staropoli, Sam Corry and Bobby Earnhardt.

The complete entry list for the General Tire 100 at the Glen will be released later this week.

RACING REFERENCE:

• Previous ARCA Menards Series races at Watkins Glen
• ARCA Menards Series drivers at Watkins Glen

RACE FACTS:

CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: Field limited to 30 starters, plus provisionals (EIRI). This event will be run under the 2026 ARCA Menards Series rules, procedures, regulations and specifications.

QUALIFYING: Starting lineup set by speeds in Timed Session qualifying, plus provisionals. No adjustments or repairs may be made on car after entering the racetrack. All cars must make a qualifying attempt, and all drivers must practice before they can qualify (EIRI).

RACE PIT STOP: Break pit stop procedure. Break at or near lap 21. No adding or moving tires to or from pit box once race has started.

TIRE ALLOTMENT: Per ARCA Rulebook, maximum tire usage for this event (purchased plus from-home tires) is 14 plus wets. In the event of wet conditions, General Tire SC wet radial tires may be used on all four corners. Tire tread pattern (slick or wets) must be consistent on all four corners at all times.