Author: evadmin

VENTURINI MOTORSPORTS BRISTOL PRE-RACE FAST FACTS

Series: ARCA Menards Series

Track: Bristol Motor Speedway

Race: Bush’s Beans 200

Duration: 200 laps / 106.6 miles

Date / TV: 9/14/2023 – 6 p.m. ET on FS1

Jesse Love Prepares for the Final Championship Stretch:
With only three races to go in the ARCA Menards Series 2023 season, Jesse Love is leading the championship standings with 869 points; a 128-point lead over second place. Love will look to capitalize on these last three races to finish out the 2023 season strong and with his eyes set on achieving his goal as the ARCA Menards Series Champion.

Toni Breidinger Ready to Capitalize on Best Series Finish:
Toni Breidinger’s third place finish last week at Kansas Speedway marked her best career finish in the ARCA Menards Series. Backed again by Raising Cane’s and Victoria’s Secret, Breidinger will be sure to use that momentum and bring it to one of the more challenging tracks on the ARCA Menards series circuit this week.

Sean Hingorani Gaining Momentum for the ARCA West Championship:
Sean Hingorani has been racing all over the country with VMS to better prepare for his races on the West Coast. With only four races left before the ARCA Menards Series West Championship, Hingorani is looking to gain all of the extra practice he can get, especially at challenging race tracks like Bristol.

Conner Jones Eager for Another Great Bristol Finish:
Making his third start at Bristol Motor Speedway in the ARCA Menards Series, Conner Jones is no stranger to this racetrack and is looking to take his prior knowledge of the track and apply it for a solid finish this weekend. Although this is one of the more tricky tracks, Jones is ready for the challenge!

Venturini Motorsports Eyeing First Bristol Victory:
Since the ARCA Menards Series starting racing at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2012, VMS is looking for their first team victory at the high banked track. With four incredibly talented drivers representing VMS this weekend, the team looks to add Bristol to it’s list of winning tracks.

The Race to 100 Wins:
After the team’s 98th victory, secured by Jesse Love, at DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, VMS is just two victories away from 100 overall wins in the team’s history. With an incredible lineup of VMS drivers for the remaining ARCA Menards Series races this season, 100 wins could easily come during the 2023 season.

Crew Chiefs:
• Kevin Reed Jr. – No. 15
• Shannon Rursch – No. 20
• Cayden Lapcevich – No. 25
• Billy Venturini – No. 55

Sean Hingorani – No. 15 GEARWRENCH Toyota Camry
Regarding the Bristol Race: I’m really excited to take on a fast, high-banked track like Bristol. This extra seat time in the same race car really helps me to feel prepared for All-American Speedway and chase the ARCA Menards Series West Championship. Everyone at Venturini Motorsports works so hard and gives me a chance to compete for wins every week.

Jesse Love – No. 20 JBL Toyota Camry
Regarding the Bristol Race: I enjoy Bristol. It fits my driving style and it’s always cool to go to places that are high grip and concrete. It hasn’t been our best track in previous years but I have a good feeling about it this time around.

Conner Jones – No. 25 Jones Utilities
Regarding the Bristol Race: Bristol is one of my favorite tracks. You practically run a qualifying lap the whole race. It’s a pretty technical track, but later in the race you can move up a bit in the corners. Overall, it’s a pretty tough track all around but I’m excited for the challenge!

Toni Breidinger – Raising Cane’s/Victoria’s Secret No. 55 Toyota Camry
Regarding the Bristol Race: Bristol is one of my favorite tracks! I’m really looking forward to going back there. We have good momentum from a solid finish at Kansas Speedway that I know will be crucial to bring to this track.

VENTURINI MOTORSPORTS KANSAS PRE-RACE FAST FACTS

Series: ARCA Menards Series

 

Track: Kansas Speedway

 

Race: Sioux Chief Fast Track 150

 

Duration: 100 laps / 150 miles

 

Date / TV: 9/8/2023 – 6 p.m. ET on FS1 and Fox Sports App

 

Previous Successes at Kansas Speedway:

  • Jesse Love, 2023
  • Corey Heim, 2022
  • Corey Heim, 2020
  • Christian Eckes, 2019
  • Alex Bowman, 2011

Jesse Love’s Ready to Go 2-for-2: After winning the previous race at Kansas Speedway this year, Jesse Love is ready to make another trip to victory lane and secure both wins at Kansas this year. His momentum coming off of the previous win at Kansas in May is sure to help the current ARCA Menards Series championship leader secure his 10th win of the season and extend his championship lead even more. He’ll also use the knowledge gained from the ARCA Menards Series Race and apply it to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race he’ll be running in on Saturday.

Toni Breidinger Eager for Another Top 5 Finish: The last time that Toni Breidinger was paired with crew chief Kevin Reed Jr., she secured her second top-5 finish at Iowa Speedway. Now, Toni is back with Reed Jr. this weekend at Kansas Speedway and is looking for her third top-5 finish in just her 11th start this season. Breidinger will also be racing with Raising Cane’s as her primary sponsor this weekend. Be sure to come out and see her make a pit stop at the Liberty, MO, Raising Cane’s Drive Thru on Thursday from 4-5PM CT.

Dean Thompson Back for Redemption: In Dean Thompson’s previous ARCA start at Kansas Speedway in May 2023, he finished runner up to his VMS teammate, Jesse Love. With the momentum from his second place finish at Kansas and his pole award from his last start with VMS at Pocono, Thompson is sure to be a powerful force and make an impressive run to try and secure his first ARCA Menards Series victory. Thompson will also plan to apply the knowledge gained from the ARCA Menards Series Race and apply it to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race he’ll be running in on Saturday.

Jake Finch Takes on the Mile and a Half Track: With Kansas Being Jake Finch’s first mile and a half track of the season, he’s ready to learn and soak up everything he can. Finch has one ARCA East win this season with Venturini Motorsports that came at Dover earlier this year.

Meet the Drivers This Weekend!

Thursday Sept. 7, 2023:

  • Toni Breidinger
    • Raising Cane’s at 100 Rte 291, Liberty, MO 64068
    • 4-5 p.m. CT

Friday Sept. 8, 2023

  • Toni Breidinger & Jesse Love
    • Toyota Racing Putt Putt on the new infield course
    • 10-10:45 a.m. CT
  • Toni Breidinger
    • Toyota Racing Experience in the Fan Zone
    • 2:15-2:30 p.m. CT

 

Crew Chiefs:

  • Cayden Lapcevich – No. 15
  • Shannon Rursch – No. 20
  • Monon Rahman – No. 25
  • Kevin Reed Jr. – No. 55

 

Jake Finch – No. 15  Phoenix Toyota Camry

Regarding the Kansas Race: I’m super excited to get to Kansas Speedway. I’ve never been to this track, but I’m excited to go there and see the track and have a good run this weekend. I’m really excited to run with Cayden Lapcevich twice now and work with him again. I’ve been doing a solid job with the simulator at home and watching old races and film to prepare. It’s also been nice to be able to lean on some old racing connections and ask them questions about this track. I’m just trying to get better, always working on my confidence.

Jesse Love – No. 20 JBL Toyota Camry

Regarding the Kansas Race: It’s definitely added confidence going back to a place we have already won at this year. I like Kansas, it’s one of my favorite mile and a half tracks. We should have another good shot at the win this weekend!

Dean Thompson – No. 25 MCM Transportation Toyota Camry

Regarding the Kansas Race: I’d say Kansas is one of my top 3 tracks I’m best at right now. The intermediate size racetracks really fit into my driving style and they’re something I always look forward to. We were so close to catching the win with Venturini back in May and I’m excited to get that second opportunity with them. This race wasn’t originally on my schedule to begin the year but my great friends at MCM Transportation decided to step up and give me the opportunity for redemption which motivates meeven more to go out there and make everyone proud. Thank you to Michael Murillo and everyone at MCM for giving me this opportunity this weekend along with Thompson Pipe Group, Venturini Motorsports, and TRD.

Toni Breidinger – No. 55 Raising Cane’s Toyota Camry

Regarding the Kansas Race: I’m so excited to have Raising Cane’s on the car and to be back at Kansas for the second time this season. I’m ready to build off of the first race in Kansas and take what I learned and apply it to this one. I’m eager to be reunited with my crew chief, Kevin Reed Jr., after our top 5 together at Iowa. Let’s see if we can do it again!

NASCAR Driver and Model Toni Breidinger To Work Pre-Race Shift at Raising Cane’s in Liberty

Breidinger will serve Cane’s ONE LOVE® to race fans in Kansas City on Thursday evening before taking the track at Kansas Speedway on Friday

KANSAS CITY (September 6, 2023) – Before NASCAR driver and Victoria’s Secret model Toni Breidinger contends in NASCAR’s ARCA race at Kansas Speedway on Friday, the driver and Caniac will make a pit stop at Raising Cane’s in Liberty to show off her speed and skills in the Cane’s Drive-Thru.

From 4 – 5 p.m. CT on Thursday, Breidinger will bring an “all gas, no brakes” attitude to her “shift” as she serves fans and ensures Kansas City Caniacs get their hot, fresh Chicken Fingers as quickly and efficiently as possible. Breidinger’s No.55 Raising Cane’s Toyota Camry, complete with Raising Cane’s logo on the front hood and ONE LOVE® decal down the side, will also take a lap in the Drive-Thru and will be stationed at the Restaurant for the duration of Breidinger’s shift.

Raising Cane’s is a proud associate sponsor of the Toni Breidinger racing team and is the team’s primary sponsor for the ARCA race at Kansas Motor Speedway. NARCAR’s ARCA race at Kansas Speedway on September 8th is scheduled to take the green flag at 6:00 p.m. ET on FS1.

DETAILS

WHAT: Toni Breidinger to work pre-race “shift” at Raising Cane’s in Liberty

WHEN: Thursday, September 7, 4 – 5 p.m. CT

WHERE: Rte 291, Liberty, MO 64068

*Media are welcome to share the event with their audience in advance and are invited to attend the Drive-Thru event on September 7 to shoot photos, film b-roll and a brief press session. Attending media will also be provided a free meal courtesy of Raising Cane’s. If interested in covering, please email Hannah Henderson at Hhenderson5@raisingcanes.com or call at 636.358.9881.

ABOUT RAISING CANE’S®:
Raising Cane’s is one of the fastest growing restaurant brands, with 750+ Restaurants in 35+ states, the Middle East and Guam and plans to open 100 new Restaurants across several new markets in 2023. The company recently announced plans to be one of the top 10 Restaurant brands in the United States and is known for its ONE LOVE® – craveable Chicken Finger meals – which includes the iconic “Cane’s Sauce” – named the #1 most craveable sauce in the restaurant industry and most craveable chicken. For more information visit raisingcanes.com.

ABOUT TONI BREIDINGER:
Toni Breidinger is the first Arab American woman to compete in NASCAR. Breidinger primarily competes part-time in the NASCAR’s ARCA Menards Series (AMS), In 37 career AMS starts, the Bay Area native has collected 2 top-five and 12 top-ten finishes. This past may Breidigner made history being the highest debut female in NASCAR Truck series and the first female to run two NASCAR races in one day at Kansas Motorspeedway. In addition, Breidinger captured 19 victories in her United States Auto Club (USAC) open-wheel midget career before making the transition to stock cars in her late teens. For more information about Toni Breidinger, visit her website at www.tonibreidinger.com and follow her on social media @tonibreidinger

Jesse Love Wins at Springfield Mile as Atlas 100 Comes to Chaotic End

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A muddy Atlas 100 on the Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, which ended up being shortened by 30 laps due to time constraints, saw Jesse Love lead wire-to-wire from the General Tire Pole for his second career ARCA Menards Series (national) victory.

But the celebration for Love and Venturini Motorsports was subdued following a violent, last-lap crash in which Love’s teammate, Buddy Kofoid, collided with the slow car of Bryce Haugeberg on the frontstretch.

The first thought on Love’s mind in Victory Lane was Kofoid’s condition, but he was relieved to see Kofoid and Haugeberg climb out of their cars and walk away on their own power.

“I’m really grateful that Buddy is alright,” Love said. “That was wicked, and I don’t think any of us saw the lapped car [of Haugeberg], but thankfully he is alright [as well]. Buddy was my favorite dirt driver growing up, and I’ve always looked up to him, so it’s an honor to beat him today.”

Love, who had enjoyed a relatively peaceful Atlas 100 for most of the day, suddenly found himself under attack from Kofoid as the duo prepared to take the white flag.

Haugeberg was attempting to salvage a lead-lap finish when he lost control of his car on the frontstretch and hit the outside retaining wall, which put him directly in the line of fire of Love and Kofoid as they battled it out for the win.

With so much dust having been kicked up, Kofoid was unaware that Haugeberg had stopped right underneath the start-finish line and was left powerless to prevent a high-speed collision that flipped Haugeberg’s car on its side.

Kofoid was in good spirits following the brutal crash, but he hopes the circumstances that unfolded Sunday afternoon result in changes to safety and race-day procedures for ARCA events on dirt moving forward.

“I’ll probably be sore over the next few days,” Kofoid said. “Even when I was two [car-lengths] behind Jesse, I couldn’t see him. Having windshields makes [seeing] kind of tough, and the glare makes it 10 times worse. I’m glad [Haugeberg] is alright, and I can only assume what happened [with him], but it’s just unfortunate.”

Since the white flag lap was not scored by ARCA officials, Kofoid ended up being credited with a second-place finish despite leaving the Illinois State Fairgrounds with a destroyed car.

Kofoid felt he had a decent shot at overtaking Love despite not having time on his side. He found a comfort zone on the bottom of the track and was preparing to make a run at Love for the lead on the final lap until he crashed into Haugeberg.

“I was staying tight on the guardrail, and I felt that I was more disciplined on the throttle without hanging it out and slipping on the moisture strip near the guardrail,” Kofoid said. “That was something I found, and it was keeping me straighter so I could hit the throttle harder on exit. Within a lap or two, I probably could have moved [Love] off the groove and tried something, but I guess we’ll never know.”

Once Love saw Kofoid closing on him during the final laps, he knew he would have to apply all his prior dirt track experience to fend off one of the most promising drivers in the discipline.

Love said his resume on dirt tracks is nowhere close to what Kofoid has accomplished over the past few years, which is why he felt an immense sense of pride on Sunday after withstanding Kofoid’s late charge.

Love plans to stay active with dirt track racing as he progresses through the developmental ladder, but he also wants to make sure he and Venturini can build off the momentum from the Illinois State Fairgrounds over their remaining races together.

“[I’ll do more dirt races] if my boy Chad Boat wants to put me in a race car,” Love said. “It’s been great running with Chad in the micro and midget stuff, so hopefully Billy [Venturini] lets me run Portland next week and we can keep this one rolling.”

The ARCA Menards Series returns to action next Sunday, Aug. 28, with a visit to the historic Milwaukee Mile for the Sprecher 150, which can be seen live on MAVTV Motorsports Network and FloRacing starting at 3 p.m. ET.

– ARCA Racing

Chandler Smith is Untouchable for First ARCA Start

BROWNSBURG, Ind. – It was a battle of two Smiths on Friday night at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

When the checkered flag waved, it was Chandler Smith who bested Sammy Smith to earn his first ARCA Menards Series victory of the season during the Reese’s 200 at the 0.686-mile asphalt oval. The event was also part of the Sioux Chief Showdown schedule.

The triumph also marked Chandler Smith’s third-straight ARCA Menards Series victory at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park dating back to 2019.

“Track position was pretty big,” said Chandler Smith, who is also one of 10 Playoff drivers who will battle for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship starting Friday night at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. “You wouldn’t think short track racing (that) aero matters, but it really does. After you’ve done some mile-and-a-half races in Trucks you start coming back and picking up on this a little bit.”

Once in front of the field, Chandler Smith would hold the lead for the remainder of the event despite pressure from Sammy Smith during multiple restarts and scraping the outside wall on the final lap in Turns 3 and 4.

The ARCA Menards Series season continues next Saturday when the ARCA Menards Series travels to Michigan International Speedway for the Henry Ford Health 200. The race will be available live on MAVTV and FloRacing.

– ARCA RACING

Corey Heim Scores VMS’ 80th Victory, Becoming Winningest Team in ARCA History

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Corey Heim and Venturini Motorsports experienced a déjà vu Saturday at Daytona International Speedway.

Last year, Heim and his team opened the season with a superspeedway victory when he won the race following an overtime restart. While it was not technically an overtime finish this time, the 2022 Lucas Oil 200 driven by General Tire ended with a restart on the final lap.

And once again, Heim wheeled his No. 20 Crescent Tools Toyota for Venturini Motorsports to the checkered flag.

The win marked VMS’ fifth consecutive ARCA Menards Series victory at Daytona. It was Heim’s eighth trip to Victory Lane in the ARCA Menards Series dating back to 2020.

“My team made it easy on me,” Heim said. “I had great teammates with me the whole way. Venturini Motorsports — the most organized team out here. Toyota Racing has helped me get here, Crescent Tools … It just all came together for this race, and it worked out.”

The teammate who spent the majority of Saturday’s race pushing Heim was Parker Chase, who finished second, a new career high in the ARCA Menards Series.

Chase was on Heim’s bumper as the two crossed the finish line.

“The objective here today was to have a Venturini car win, and we succeeded at that,” Chase said. “Five in a row for Venturini, which is incredible. That’s what we came here to do.”

The ARCA Menards Series will return to action on Friday, March 11, with the General Tire 150 at Phoenix Raceway. The race, which also will serve as the season-openers for both the ARCA Menards Series West and the Sioux Chief Showdown, is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. MT / 7:30 p.m. ET.

The General Tire 150 at Phoenix will broadcast live on MAVTV Motorsports Network with a live stream available on FloRacing.

– ARCA RACING

Landon Pembelton Joins TRD’s Venturini Motorsports ARCA Program in 2022

January 6, 2022 (Concord, NC) – Venturini Motorsports (VMS) announced today the signing of 16-year old Landon Pembelton. Pembelton, who made headlines in 2021 after winning the Nation’s Premier Late Model Race at Martinsville Speedway, will compete in four ARCA races under the team’s Toyota Racing Development banner in 2022.

The Amelia County, Virginia born driver will pilot VMS’s Toyota Camry in the ARCA Menards Series at Elko Speedway, Milwaukee Mile and Toledo Speedway, as well as the Fall Phoenix event in the ARCA West Series.

“I am grateful for the opportunity with Venturini Motorsports and will make the most of the time. I am given to learn as much as I can,” said Pembelton. “Toyota and Venturini Motorsports are both proven winners in ARCA and I am excited for the challenge. I’m ready to rely on their leadership and knowledge to give me the best opportunity to succeed. I’ve got high expectations for myself. With the good equipment underneath me and knowing what I’m capable of, there’s no reason we can’t start off running top five.”

With some karting experience under his belt, yet relatively unknown within the racing community, the young Virginia driver’s interest in organized racing started in 2019. During his first year in the Limited Sportsman Division at South Boston Speedway he ran 8 races, capturing 6 top 5 finishes. The following year he won the Championship in the Virginia Racers Challenge Series which was a collaboration between Dominion Raceway and Langley Speedway.

In November of 2020, Landon participated in a non-winners race for the late model division at Dominion Speedway, he managed to capture the checkered flag in his first attempt piloting a late model stock car. Just two and a half years into the sport, he took the checkered flag in a NASCAR sanctioned points race at South Boston Speedway on August 7, 2021.

Now a high school junior, Pembelton was named the Virginia State Division I and the South East Division I Rookie of the year in 2021 and also ranked 10th in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series National Division I Standings.

Landon Pembelton will make his first career ARCA Menards Series start in the Elko 250 at Elko Speedway on June 25. The race will be aired live on MAVTV at 9 p.m. CST.

Follow Landon on social media @Lbpem0 on Twitter and @landonpembelton0 on Facebook.

Fifteen-Year-Old Conner Jones Takes Next Step with Venturini Motorsports

January 5, 2022 (Concord, NC) – Venturini Motorsports (VMS) announced today the signing of 15-year old Fredericksburg, Virginia driver, Conner Jones to a three-race schedule in 2022.

Jones, who comes to the team with the mindset of gaining experience while furthering his young career at the next level will compete in the ARCA Menards Series events at Iowa Speedway (6/11) and Salem Speedway (10/1). The high school Sophomore will also team with VMS at Dover for the ARCA Menards East race in April.

VMS, with a rich tradition of winning in the ARCA Menards Series, is well-known for their success nurturing young talented drivers with goals of reaching the highest levels of the sport. Notable past VMS 15-year old driver signings include NASCAR Cup driver Erik Jones, NASCAR driver and 2019 ARCA Menards Series Champion Christian Eckes, NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Justin Haley, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Chandler Smith and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver and youngest ARCA winner in history Todd Gilliland.

“It’s exciting to take the next step in ARCA with a team like Venturini Motorsports,” said Jones. “They’ve been one of the most dominant teams in ARCA for a long time. It gives me added confidence knowing I’m surrounded by a lot of successful people and racing really good equipment. I’m looking at this as an opportunity to learn as much as I can for the future. I’ll be really happy if I can go out and run top five, top ten each week.”

Starting off in the seat of a go-kart, Jones has made the early progression through the ranks learning his trade behind the wheel of Bandoleros, Legends and Late Models. Furthering his development over the last two years, Jones was successful running a healthy dose of late model event in the East at Caraway, Dominion, Hickory & South Boston speedways.

In 2021, he started the season winning two Super Pro Late Model events at New Smyrna at the World Series of Asphalt before taking on a full season in the CARS Late Model Stock Tour. His 2022 plans also include a second straight year in the CARS tour.

Follow Conner on social media @ConnerJones88 on Twitter, @ConnerJones6 on Instagram and Conner Jones Racing on Facebook.

Jonathan Shafer Joins Venturini Motorsports’ Driver Development Program for Five ARCA Events in 2022

January 4, 2022 (Concord, NC) – Venturini Motorsports (VMS) announced today the signing of 16-year old driver, Jonathan Shafer to a limited five-race ARCA schedule in 2022. Ready to embark on the next step of his career, Shafer will get his first taste at the next level when he joins VMS at Iowa, Lucas Oil, Bristol and Salem in the ARCA Menards Series, along with the springtime Dover race in the ARCA East Series.

“This is such a great moment in my career. A lot of hard work has gotten me to this point,” said Shafer, the Ashland, Ohio native when asked about taking the next step in his racing career.

“I can’t thank Venturini Motorsports and Toyota enough for giving me this opportunity. I’m excited to have this chance and continue to develop as a driver. Knowing I’ll be running great equipment with a team as good as Venturini Motorsports gives me a lot of confidence going into my first start at Iowa.”

Following the typical path nowadays, Shafer began driving quarter midgets at the age of five and has methodically moved his way up the speed ranks with age. With nearly 300 feature wins along the way, the high school junior has concentrated on a heavy dose of midget racing and late models in recent years. Along with running with Toyota’s Keith Kunz Motorsports he has spent the last three seasons in the JEGS CRA Series and CARS Tour.

“I’ve gained a lot of great experience with Keith (Kunz) and his midget program along with Lee Pulliam in the CARS Tour. The last couple of years racing late models have been an important stepping stone to get me where I am today. I’m focused on continuing to get better and go out this year and do the best I can.”

Shafer will make his debut with Venturini Motorsports at Dover Int’l Speedway on April 29, 2022 in the ARCA East event. He will make his ARCA Menards Series driving debut behind the wheel of VMS’ No.15 Toyota Camry at Iowa Speedway on June 11, 2022. The race will be aired live on MAVTV.

Follow Jonathan Shafer by visiting @JShaferRacing on Twitter, @JonathanShaferRacing on Instagram and @ JonathanShaferRacing on Facebook

TRD’s Jesse Love and Corey Heim Back with Venturini Motorsports to Co-Pilot Team’s No.20 Toyota Camry for Upcoming 2022 ARCA Menards Series Season

January 3, 2022 (Concord, NC) – Venturini Motorsports (VMS) announced today the return of a formidable pair of Toyota Racing Development drivers, Jesse Love and Corey Heim, who’ve been selected to co-pilot the team’s No.20 Toyota Camry for the upcoming 2022 ARCA Menard Series season.

Sharing the wheel for a championship bid, 17-year old Jesse Love will handle the lion’s share with fourteen races in command of VMS’s No.20. Love, with back-to-back ARCA Menards Series West Championships (2020 & 2021), will handle the driving duties in 14 of the 20 ARCA Menards race schedule; Phoenix, Iowa, Berlin, Elko, Mid-Ohio, Pocono, Lucas Oil, Watkins-Glen, Springfield, Milwaukee, DuQuoin, Bristol, Salem and Toledo. In addition, Love will also drive for Venturini Motorsports at Dover (ARCA East) and Phoenix (ARCA West).

Dominating the ARCA West Series over the last two years, Love, from Menlo Park, California, has strung together 14-career starts in ARCA’s premier series since 2020. Competing in a limited schedule with VMS in 2021, the West Coast teenager found victory lane in his final start of the season at Salem Speedway, marking his first career ARCA Menards Series win.

“This is a great opportunity and very exciting time in my life,” said Love. “I’ve been really fortunate to have a lot of great support over the years and it continues this year again with Toyota and Venturini Motorsports.

Last year we made some huge gains at the end of the season but I’m still learning and making the transition to the ARCA Menards Series. I feel like I’m in a great position working with crew chief Shannon Rursch and getting to lean on Corey and my spotter for more help. Winning at Salem last year was a huge confidence booster – we will build off that momentum and hopefully start the 2022 season the same way we finished last year, with a win.”

Corey Heim will take the reins for six races beginning with Daytona, Talladega, Kansas (Spring), Charlotte, Michigan and Kansas (Fall). Heim, who drove full-time for VMS in 2021, was runner-up in the series’ championship point standings, tallying six victories over twenty races.

“I’m excited to be back with Venturini Motorsports,” said Heim. “We won a lot of races last season and had a great year overall. Although the goal of winning remains the same, I’m looking forward to taking on more of a leadership role with some of the other young drivers on the team. Sharing the twenty-car with Jesse (Love) is going to be a lot of fun.”

Heim, hailing from the driver rich state of Georgia, has made 36 ARCA starts since 2019. Over the last three seasons he’s tallied 7 wins, including last year’s season opener at Daytona, 26 top-5 and 35 top-10 finishes. In addition to his 2022 ARCA efforts, Heim will also compete in the Camping World Truck Series with Kyle Busch Motorsports.

Shannon Rursch will resume his duties as crew chief for the young drivers and look to continue his success with the team in 2022.

Venturini Motorsports will begin their quest for an ARCA Menards Series Championship beginning at Daytona International Speedway in the series’ season opener Lucas Oil 200 driven by General Tire on Saturday, February 19. The race will air live on FS1 and Fox Sports App at 1:30pm EST.