The Illinois State Fair’s arrival once again brings one of the ARCA Menards Series’ most celebrated traditions — a visit to the legendary Springfield Mile. For Venturini Motorsports, the mile-long dirt oval at the Illinois State Fairgrounds is more than just another stop on the schedule; it’s a proving ground where the team has etched its name in ARCA history.
Venturini Motorsports enters Sunday’s event as the all-time leading ARCA Menards Series team on dirt, boasting 14 victories at dirt tracks over its storied history. The team will look to add win number 15 when it fields a four-driver lineup featuring Lawless Alan (No. 20 AUTOParkit Toyota), Isabella Robusto (No. 55 Mobil 1 Toyota), Sam Corry(No. 25 Toyota), and Brent Crews, who will drive the Nitro Motorsports-prepared, Venturini-built No. 70 Toyota.
The Springfield Mile — one of the oldest operating speedways in the United States, dating back to 1910 — is steeped in motorsports tradition. First known as a hub for open-wheel competition, the venue has hosted legendary names including Rex Mays, Ted Horn, Jimmy Bryan, Rodger Ward, and four-time Indianapolis 500 winners A.J. Foyt and Al Unser. Since Dean Roper’s win in the inaugural ARCA Menards Series race at the facility in 1983, stock cars have become a key part of its legacy.
Few names shine brighter on dirt in today’s ARCA field than Brent Crews. The 16-year-old phenom scored his first ARCA Menards Series win at Springfield in 2023 in dominant fashion, taking the lead from then-teammate Jesse Love with 48 laps to go and stretching his advantage to an incredible 20.717 seconds at the checkered flag.
Crews heads into Sunday’s race determined to rebound from heartbreak at Watkins Glen International, where a mechanical issue while leading under caution ended his day. This will mark his first ARCA start with Nitro Motorsports, driving a Venturini-built Toyota, as he seeks a repeat of last year’s performance at Springfield.
“Dirt racing has always been a special part of our team’s history,” said Billy Venturini, team owner. “The Springfield Mile is one of those tracks where talent, setup, and execution all have to come together perfectly. We’ve had a lot of success here over the years, and with the lineup we’re bringing, we’re confident we can be in the fight for the win.”
The Springfield ARCA 100 takes place this Sunday, August 17, with drivers battling the long straights and sweeping corners of one of America’s most iconic dirt ovals. Venturini Motorsports will aim to extend its legacy in ARCA’s dirt track history and bring home a milestone victory.
