October 3, 2021 (Concord, NC) – Toyota Racing Development’s (TRD), Jesse Love, driving Venturini Motorsports’ (VMS) Mobil1 Toyota Camry, captured his first ARCA Menards Series victory, winning Saturday night’s Sioux Chief PowerPex 200 at Salem Speedway. Love’s victory handed VMS its 10th overall win at Salem and the team’s 79th all-time in ARCA Menards Series competition.
Love, the defending ARCA Menards Series West Champion and the current West Series points leader, powered past Ty Gibbs late in the race and held on for the final 45-laps to claim his first national ARCA Menards Series win in his 15th series start dating back to last year.
“After (the pass), it was ‘run like heck,’” Love said of the final 40-laps. “I did all I could to keep (Gibbs) behind me. Ty’s one of the best right now, and it feels good to beat him.
“We weren’t quite the best in the beginning, but at the end of the race we were the best car on the race track. I can’t thank Toyota and VMS enough for giving me this opportunity. We’ve run strong all season. It’s great to finally get into victory lane.”
VMS’ Gracie Trotter driving her No.25 Calico Coatings Toyota finished 5th, earning her second top-5 of the season, while relinquishing championship hopes, Corey Heim (No. 20 Craftsman Toyota) finished seventh.
The ARCA Menards Series season finale at Kansas on Saturday, Oct. 23, is scheduled to take the green flag at 6 p.m. CT / 7 p.m. ET. The Reese’s 150 will broadcast live on MAVTV Motorsports Network with a live stream available on NBC Sports Gold’s TrackPass.
