PIT BOX: High speeds of Michigan await ARCA Menards Series drivers this Friday

Friday’s Henry Ford Health 200 at Michigan International Speedway (5 p.m. ET on FS2) marks the third time in the first seven events the ARCA Menards Series has tackled a venue at least two miles in length.

One thing separates Michigan from those other venues – Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway – and that’s the lack of restrictor plates. The draft will still be prevalent Friday, but managing the slight off-throttle times in the corners will be pivotal for drivers trying to stay up front with the lead group.

Michigan’s massive size has challenged many legendary competitors since it first opened for business in 1968, having hosted events for NASCAR, IROC, the IndyCar Series and even the ASA National Tour. In 1980, Michigan hosted its first two ARCA Menards Series events, which were won by Joe Ruttman and Billie Harvey respectively.

While the cars have changed significantly during the following four decades, Michigan remains an imposing behemoth for veterans and young drivers alike each time it shows up on the ARCA calendar. Conquering the two-mile oval this weekend will require discipline, patience and a car capable of leading the pack.

Tickets to the Henry Ford Health 200 at Michigan International Speedway can be purchased here. Below is everything to know ahead of the seventh race on the 2026 ARCA Menards Series calendar.

Henry Ford Health 200 at Michigan International Speedway

Pinnacle Racing Group triumphed during last year’s ARCA Menards Series race at Michigan International Speedway, as Brenden Queen took what would be his third of eight victories during his championship campaign.

For Friday’s Henry Ford Health 200, PRG is bringing two cars in their quest to claim another Michigan victory. Driving the No. 28 this week is Connor Mosack, who previously won with PRG at Kansas Speedway in 2023 and 2024.

The second PRG car is being piloted by Lanie Buice, who is fresh off a career-best ARCA Menards Series finish of fifth in her debut with the organization at Kansas. Michigan is the largest track Buice has visited to date, but she has the experience and success of PRG to rely on as she figures out the historic complex.

Gio Ruggiero is back with Joe Gibbs Racing’s ARCA Menards Series program for Michigan, having already found Victory Lane with the team twice at Daytona and Kansas this season. During last year’s race at Michigan, Ruggiero led 35 laps before settling for fourth, so he’ll try to improve on that showing Friday afternoon.

The dynamic duo of Garrett Mitchell and George Siciliano, known by their online personas Cleetus McFarland and LS George, are back with Rette Jones Racing for the Henry Ford Health 200. McFarland’s most recent ARCA Menards Series race at Talladega Superspeedway nearly ended with him in Victory Lane, as he placed second after leading 19 laps.

Siciliano was in the lead draft at Talladega with only a handful of laps remaining before getting collected in the big one. Michigan presents a completely different set of characteristics compared to the wide-open nature of Talladega, so Siciliano will have to lean on everything he has learned thus far to put together a strong outing.

Dystany Spurlock returns to the MBM Motorsports No. 66 Foxxtecca Ford for the first time since placing 29^th at Watkins Glen International due to a broken rear axle seal. Well-acclimated to high speeds from her time drag racing motorcycles, Michigan will be a proper test for Spurlock as she acclimates herself to both the layout and the draft.

Other drivers set to compete at Michigan this weekend include points leader Jake Bollman, Andy Jankowiak, Will Kimmel, Gavan Boschele, Kyle Steckly, Wesley Slimp, Ryan Vargas and Bobby Earnhardt, among others.

The complete entry list for the Henry Ford Health 200 can be found here.

RACING REFERENCE:

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

RACE FACTS:

CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: Field limited to 30 starters, plus provisionals. 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 leaving pit stall to qualify. All cars must make a qualifying attempt, and all drivers must practice before they can qualify.

RACE PIT STOP: Modified Live Pit Stop procedure. There will be a scheduled caution at or near laps 35 and 70. No adding or moving tires to or from pit box once race has started.

TIRE ALLOTMENT: Per ARCA Rulebook, the maximum tire use at track (total, “from home” plus purchased at track) for the event is 16.