Double Race Day for VMS
Series: ARCA Menards Series
Track: Salem Speedway
Race: Atlas 200
Duration: 200 laps, 111 miles
Date / TV: 9/30/2023 – FS2 7:30 p.m. ET
Series: ARCA Menards Series West
Track: All American Speedway
Race: Napa Auto Parts 150
Duration: 150 laps, 50 miles
Date / TV: 9/30/2023 – FloRacing 10:45 p.m. ET
Previous Successes at Salem Speedway:
● 2006 – Billy Venturini
● 2010 – Steve Arpin
● 2011 – Brennan Poole
● 2013 – Kyle Benjamin
● 2016 Spring – Christopher Bell
● 2016 Fall – Christopher Bell
● 2018 Spring – Christian Eckes
● 2018 Fall – Chandler Smith
● 2019 – Michael Self
● 2021 – Jesse Love
Jesse Love’s Championship Bound!: When Jesse Love takes the green flag on Saturday at Salem Speedway, he will clinch the championship becoming the 2023 ARCA Menards Series Champion. With 5 poles, 9 wins, and 15 top 5’s, Love had one of the most dominating seasons of his career; clinching the championship one race prior to the final race of the season. Love will be chasing his 10th victory of the 2023 season at Salem Speedway – the track where he grabbed his first career ARCA victory in 2021.
Toni Breidinger’s Up for the Challenge: After an 8th place finish at Salem Speedway in 2022, Toni Breidinger is ready to secure her 4th top-5 finish of the season and improve on her only start at Salem. Although the high-banked short track of Salem is one of the more challenging tracks on the ARCA circuit, she’s more than ready and feels confident heading into this weekend with her Venturini Motorsports team supporting her.
Brent Crews’s ARCA Short Track Debut: As a rookie in the ARCA Menards Series, Brent Crews is making his pavement short track debut at Salem Speedway this weekend. Crews has three previous starts in the ARCA series with VMS and has finished top-3 in all events: Watkins Glen (road course / 3rd), Springfield (dirt track / 1st) and DuQuoin (dirt track / 2nd). Crews is hungry for another win and will look to get back to Victory Lane after just his first start at Salem.
Sean Hingorani Eyeing the West Championship: After the ARCA Menards Series West’s one month break, Sean Hingorani is finally heading back out to the west coast after running numerous races in the ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East to hone in on his craft. With only one point separating Hingorani from second place in the championship standings, he’ll look to take his valuable experience from the east coast and apply that this weekend at All American Speedway to widen the championship gap.
The 100 Win Formula: With VMS entering cars at two races this weekend (Salem and All American), there’s a possibility of hitting 100 team wins! If Jesse Love wins at Salem, his win would be number 99. Then, if Sean Hingorani wins at All American later that same night, his win would be historic number 100 for Venturini Motorsports!
Double Entry Talent: The last time that VMS had cars entered in two races on the same day (Talladega and Kern on April 22, 2023), the team won both events.
Crew Chiefs at Salem:
● Cayden Lapcevich – No. 15
● Shannon Rursch – No. 20
● Monon Rahman – No. 25
Crew Chief at All American:
● Kevin Reed Jr. – No. 15
Toni Breidinger – No. 15 Victoria’s Secret/Raising Cane’s Toyota Camry
Regarding the Salem Race: I’m looking forward to Salem! It’s one of the more difficult tracks we go to but I’m looking forward to the challenge! Even though I’m just running a part time schedule this season, all the races I’ve done have been really valuable. I feel like I’ve been able to apply what I learn each race to the next one. I have a lot of trust in the team and my crew so I’m able to show up to races comfortably and know I have that support to succeed.
Jesse Love – No. 20 JBL Toyota Camry
Regarding the Salem Race: I can’t wait to go to Salem because it’s one of my favorite tracks. It probably is my favorite pavement track. It’s the perfect balance of driving hard and knowing when to slow down and give a little. You have to respect this racetrack and Billy Venturini has taught me that by spotting me at this track specifically over the last two years where we have won and finished 2nd together. It’s nice to have our points cushion so we can just go there and focus on winning the race and getting the owners championship.
Brent Crews – No. 25 Mobil1-Yahoo! Toyota Camry
Regarding the Salem Race: Heading to Salem, I’m feeling great still rolling off the momentum from these last few races. Racing with a great team like Venturini Motorsports gives me the confidence and help I need to be able to succeed. To win this race, we just need to stay calm and keep the tires under it.
Sean Hingorani – No. 15 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry
Regarding the All American Race: I’m super excited to get back to the west coast to continue my championship hunt. I’m ready to take on another west race with the 15 team and keep the momentum rolling. I’m really looking forward to All American because it’s such a cool track and I’m looking forward to some short track racing.
