Category: 2023 News

Gio Ruggiero joins Venturini Motorsports for 16-race schedule in 2024

Venturini Motorsports is welcoming one of the most talented short track drivers in the country to their storied program.

Gio Ruggiero, who spent the 2023 season competing in Super Late Models, will contest 16 races for Venturini Motorsports in 2024. That schedule includes a full campaign in the ARCA Menards Series East along with sporadic appearances in the main ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series West.

Ruggiero has long been familiar with the standard of excellence Venturini Motorsports has maintained on the ARCA platform over the past several decades. He knows high expectations are being placed upon him but is ready to add to Venturini’s stellar legacy in ARCA.

“I’m really looking forward to next year with Shannon [Rusch] as my crew chief,” Ruggiero said. “[Venturini Motorsports] is a great organization with a great group of people. They’ve won a ton of races in the ARCA Menards Series, so I’m definitely excited to be with them.”

Although he did not win a copious amount of events last year, the victories Ruggiero did claim made him stand out amongst the competition.

The most notable of these came in the prestigious Winchester 400, where Ruggiero had to fend off Super Late Model veterans Cole Butcher and Stephen Nasse at the end of 400 grueling laps around Indiana’s Winchester Speedway. He also edged out NASCAR Cup Series star and former Venturini Motorsports driver William Byron in a photo finish at Hickory Motor Speedway.

Giovanni Ruggiero, driver of the No. 5C Late Model Stock Car, during driver introductions for the Solid Rock Carriers CARS Tour’s Blue Ridge 250 at Tri-County Speedway in Granite Falls, North Carolina on October 21, 2023.

Gio Ruggiero put together an impressive short track resume in 2023 that included a victory in the Winchester 400.

A bonus for Ruggiero during his successful year was the opportunity to make his ARCA Menards Series East debut for Venturini Motorsports at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. Serving as a replacement for the injured Isabella Robusto, Ruggiero kept his car out of trouble all evening to bring home a solid, fourth-place finish.

Nashville proved to be invaluable for Ruggiero when it came to getting acclimated with the Venturini Motorsports culture. While he expects a learning curve in his first year with the team, Ruggiero is confident he can mesh immediately with everyone at Venturini Motorsports so he can build momentum from the Nashville outing.

“It was definitely a great experience to get some seat time with the VMS guys,” Ruggiero said. “I was trying to introduce myself to them, and I thought I learned a ton about the ARCA car as well with the way it drives on a long run. I also learned how that series operates and how things are going to go when I’m at ARCA races.”

Team co-owner Billy Venturini said Ruggiero’s ARCA debut at Nashville was an exercise in learning his limits while piloting one of his cars.

Passing and restarts were two areas in which Billy felt Ruggiero could improve upon. Despite this, Billy commended Ruggiero for the maturity he displayed during his debut race and has every reason to believe the young prospect will only improve as the 2024 season progresses.

“[Ruggiero] showed an incredible amount of car control [at Nashville],” Billy said. “There were a couple of little things he needed to learn, but with that race, I feel like if we could have re-run it, he probably could have contended for the win.

“There’s a very high ceiling with him, and it’s a pleasure to have him with the program.”

Restarts are an area with which Billy plans to be hands-on during Ruggiero’s development. He added that every ARCA season typically has one Venturini Motorsports driver rise to the top in restarts because of how intricate the team is within emphasizing momentum and avoiding wheel spin.

Ruggiero is optimistic he can seamlessly transition into the ARCA cars on short tracks but expects more of a challenge with larger facilities. Road courses like Sonoma Raceway and Watkins Glen International are on Ruggiero’s 2024 schedule, along with his first intermediate race at Kansas Speedway in the fall.

“Running races on the bigger tracks will be something new for me,” Ruggiero said. “I’ll have to learn a lot about aero for sure. I’m not very familiar with that, but I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can and hopefully chase some wins on the bigger tracks.”

Gio Ruggiero, driver of the #20 VMS Toyota, races in the Music City 200 for the ARCA Menards Series East at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 13, 2023. (Austin Anthony/ARCA Racing)
Gio Ruggiero will look to claim Venturini Motorsports’ first championship in the ARCA Menards Series East. (Photo: Austin Anthony/ARCA Racing)
While Ruggiero is eager to tackle the more advanced tracks, his primary focus is on winning a championship, a concept with which he is very familiar.

Titles in the Southern Super Series and CRA Super Series have bolstered Ruggiero’s confidence ahead of the eight-race East Series calendar. Even though Ruggiero only has experience at three of those venues, Billy Venturini does not anticipate a steep learning curve given his success at other short tracks around the country.

Coming off a year in which the team won ARCA and West Series titles with Jesse Love and Sean Hingorani, respectively, Billy believes Ruggiero can deliver the organization their first East Series title by fending off Joe Gibbs Racing development driver and defending champion William Sawalich.

“The ARCA East title was the one we were missing last year,” Billy said. “That schedule doesn’t fit us as well as the others, but we got better at it last year. The short tracks come down to a battle between us and Joe Gibbs Racing, and I expect the same thing [with Ruggiero this year]. We race each other’s tails off and put on a good show.”

Ruggiero understands the challenge of usurping Sawalich for the East Series championship but is eager to carry over the momentum from his efficient year in Super Late Models and add his name to the long list of successful drivers who have come through Venturini Motorsports.

“It would definitely be awesome to win [the East Series title],” Ruggiero said. “I won a championship in my first year with Super Late Models, so it would be great to do it again in an ARCA car.”

Ruggiero will look to start a busy year with Venturini Motorsports on a high note when he heads to Phoenix Raceway on March 8, which serves a combination event between the main ARCA division and the West Series.

KRIS WRIGHT JOINS VENTURINI MOTORSPORTS FOR 2024 SEASON

CONCORD, N.C. (November 14, 2023)—Venturini Motorsports has announced Kris Wright will join its team for the full 2024 ARCA Menards Series season, aiming for the championship title.
The 29-year-old Wright will pilot the No. 15 F.N.B. Corporation Toyota Camry for Venturini Motorsports in his second season with the team. He made two starts with the organization in the ARCA Menards Series and one start in the ARCA Menards Series West during the 2023 season.

“Kris Wright has shown impressive speed across a wide range of tracks since joining Venturini Motorsports,” said Billy Venturini, general manager and owner of Venturini Motorsports. “I believe he has a strong chance to contend consistently throughout next season’s entire schedule.”

Wright, who resides in Charlotte, N.C., debuted in the ARCA Menards Series West in 2020, earning consecutive podium finishes. He has since competed in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) and the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS), amassing 45 starts in the former and 16 in the latter.

Over four years in the ARCA Menards Series, Wright has secured nine top-ten finishes in 15 starts. He also has one start in the ARCA Menards Series East and four in the ARCA Menards Series West.

In 2023, Wright competed in 11 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races and two ARCA Menards Series events.

Based in Pittsburgh, F.N.B. Corporation returns to NASCAR with Wright for its fifth consecutive season. The company will be the primary partner of Wright’s No. 15 Toyota Camry for Venturini Motorsports throughout the season.

For more information, news, and updates, visit KrisWrightMotorsports.com or follow Kris Wright on Facebook (/KrisWrightRacing), X (@KrisOnNASCAR), or Instagram (@krisonnascar).

VENTURINI MOTORSPORTS PHOENIX PRE-RACE FAST FACTS

Series: ARCA Menards Series West

Track: Phoenix Raceway

Race: Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100 at Phoenix Raceway

Duration: 100 laps / 100 miles

Date / TV: 11/3/2023 – 11:30 am. PST / 2:30 p.m. EST on FloRacing

Sean Hingorani’s Championship Weekend: Sean Hingorani heads to Phoenix, the final race of the season, with a 30-point lead over second place. All Hingorani has to do to win the championship is have a solid day, but he has the goal of heading back to victory lane! There’s nothing quite like winning the championship and securing Venturini Motorsports’s 100th win at the same time. In addition to the ARCA West Finale, Hingorani will also be running in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Phoenix.

Dean Thompson Wants That 100th Win: Dean Thompson made it clear how hard he’s been working and exactly what he has to do to be the one to secure VMS their 100th win. Thompson will also be pulling double duty in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series later that day.

Toni Breidinger’s Eyeing 5 Top-5’s: It’s been a season of learning and success for Toni Breidinger. After 19 starts this season, Breidinger has secured 4 top-5 finishes and 7 top-10 finishes. She’s hoping that her 20th start this season will earn her 5th top-5 finish to round out the 2023 season.

Kris Wright’s back with VMS: Kris Wright is making his third start with VMS to round out the 2023 season this weekend at Phoenix Raceway. After finishing 11th at Michigan and 6th at Watkins Glen. Wright is hoping he can use the final ARCA Menards West race of the season to secure a top-5 finish, or even give VMS their 100th victory.

A Winning Weekend: Heading to Phoenix, Venturini Motorsports has the opportunity to not only win the 2023 ARCA Menards West Driver Championship, giving them their second driver championship of the season, but also win their 100th overall victory as a team.

Crew Chiefs:
● Kevin Reed Jr. – 15
● Shannon Rursch – 20
● Cayden Lapcevich – 25
● Larry Balsitis – 55

Sean Hingorani – No. 15 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry

Regarding the Phoenix Race: I’m ready to head to Phoenix and compete for a win and a championship. Myself and the VMS guys have worked so hard all year for this and we are ready for one last race! I’m super thankful for the opportunity Billy Venturini gave me this year. He and everyone at VMS has done a great job developing me this year and I’ve learned so much.

Dean Thompson – No. 20 MCM Transportation Toyota Camry

Regarding the Phoenix Race: I’m approaching this race track like any other race track, giving it 110% effort. Have to win mentality to get Venturini their 100th win and MCM Transportation their 1st. To get to victory lane, I need to qualify out front, and stay out front. Phoenix is heavy on the importance of track position. Need to take it whenever I can get it and execute execute execute.

Toni Breidinger – No. 25 Toyota Camry

Regarding the Phoenix Race: Phoenix is one of my favorite tracks, so I’m always looking forward to coming back there one more time to wrap up the season. I’ve been watching a lot of footage from the spring and going through my notes. I had a decent run going but made some mistakes so I think if I clean those up I’ll be in a good position to get to victory lane!

Kris Wright – No. 55 F.N.B Corporation Toyota Camry

Regarding the Phoenix Race: I’m really excited for Phoenix! It’s one of my favorite tracks to race on! I love ending the season out there. I think the key to Phoenix will be that we need to learn the entire week up until the last run and then put it all together to have great speed at the end.

VENTURINI MOTORSPORTS MADERA PRE-RACE FAST FACTS

Series: ARCA Menards Series West

Track: Madera Speedway

Race: 51FIFTY Jr. Homecoming ARCA 150 Presented by The West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame

Duration: 150 laps / 50 miles

Date / TV: 10/21/2023 – 11:00 p.m. ET on FloRacing

Sean Hingorani’s First ARCA Start at Madera: Sean Hingorani is no stranger to Madera Speedway in a late model, but this will be his first start in an ARCA car at the third mile track. Hingorani will use his prior experience at the track to help him secure his fifth win of the season. After leading more than half of the race at The Bullring last weekend, Hingorani is ready for his dominant performances to result in another trip to victory lane.

Just one win to go: Sean HIngorani’s dominant performance last weekend at The Bullring seemed as though it was going to give Venturini Motorsports their 100th win. Unfortunately, a failure resulted in a 16th place finish for Hingorani. But his dominance is clear. Can another dominant performance at Madera Speedway this weekend give VMS their 100th win?!

The Championship Hunt is Still On: After the race at The Bullring, Sean Hingorani leads the ARCA Menards West Series Championship standings by 25 points. With only two races to go before the end of the season, Hingorani will look to secure VMS’s second driver championship of the year!

Crew Chief:
● Kevin Reed Jr. – 15

Sean Hingorani – No. 15 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry

Regarding the Madera Race: This is my first time at Madera Speedway in an ARCA Car, but I’ve been there before in a late model. I’m excited to finish out the season strong with sights set on the ARCA Menards West Championship. I feel that the hard work is starting to pay off, but my routine hasn’t changed even with a couple races left

VENTURINI MOTORSPORTS VEGAS FAST FACTS

Series: ARCA Menards Series West

Track: The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Race: Star Nursery 150

Duration: 150 laps / 56.3 miles

Date / TV: 10/13/2023 – 10:10 p.m. ET on FloRacing

Sean Hingorani’s back at the Bullring: Many of the tracks that Sean Hingorani has been to this year have been brand new to him, but not the Bullring. Now that Hingorani is coming back to a track he has experience at, a trip to victory lane doesn’t seem too far away! Could Venturini Motorsports’s 100th victory come at the iconic Bullring?!

99 Wins and Counting: Venturini Motorsports captured their 99th team win at Salem Speedway a couple of weekends ago. With only ARCA Menards Series West races remaining, VMS will look to celebrate 100 wins out on the beautiful west coast, maybe even in Las Vegas this weekend. Now that’s an iconic place to celebrate 100 wins!

Two Championships down, Two To Go: This past weekend at Toledo Speedway, Jesse Love and Venturini Motorsports celebrated their ARCA Menards Series Driver and Owner Championships! With a 37 point buffer and three races left in the ARCA Menards West 2023 season, Sean Hingorani will look to help create an even bigger points buffer to help secure VMS their second driver championship of the season and also looks to gain the team their second owner’s championship this season.

Crew Chief:
Kevin Reed Jr. – 15

Sean Hingorani – No. 15 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry

Regarding the Bullring Race: With only a couple of races left in the ARCA Menards Series West season, I’m working hard to bring home Venturini Motorsports’s 100th victory and then the West Championship. Kevin Reed Jr and all of my guys have been working super hard for this race, so I’m really excited to get back to the Bullring.

VENTURINI MOTORSPORTS TOLEDO PRE-RACE FAST FACTS

Series: ARCA Menards Series

Track: Toledo Speedway

Race: Shore Lunch 200 presented by CGS Imaging

Duration: 200 laps / 100 miles

Date / TV: 10/7/2023 – 4:30 p.m. ET on FS2 and FloRacing

Previous Successes at Toledo Speedway:
● Bill Venturini, 1987
● Justin Boston, 2014
● Todd Gilliland, 2015
● Chandler Smith, 2019

Jesse Love’s Ringing in His Championship: While Jesse Love clinched the championship last week at Salem, the real celebration happens when Jesse finishes his last race of the season at Toledo Speedway. He’s looking to make it 11 wins on the season and secure Venturini Motorsports’ 100th victory. What better way to end an amazing season for Love?!

Dylan ‘Mamba’ Smith is Back in a Racecar!: Mamba Smith is making his first ARCA Menards Series start of the season at Toledo Speedway. Smith only has one previous ARCA start, last year at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park where he finished 9th. He’ll be looking to finish 8 spots better this weekend and bring home VMS’s 100th win.

Sean Hingorani’s Ready to Tackle Toledo: Sean Hingorani is making his first start at Toledo Speedway this weekend. After a second place finish out on the west coast at All American Speedway last weekend, Hingorani is eyeing the checkered flag more than ever. If anyone wants to get VMS their 100th win and secure his first career win on the east coast this weekend, it’s Hingorani.

The 100 Win Approaching: After Loves’ win at Salem Speedway last weekend, Venturini Motorsports is just one win shy of the team’s 100th victory. With lots of previous success at Toledo Speedway and Love already securing the 2023 ARCA Menards Series Championship, that 100th win has never been closer.

Crew Chiefs:
● Cayden Lapcevich – No. 15
● Shannon Rursch – No. 20
● Kevin Reed Jr. – No. 25

Dylan ‘Mamba’ Smith – No. 15 Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Toyota Camry
Regarding the Toledo Race: I’m super lucky to be racing at Toledo so I’m stoked. I’m looking forward to driving race cars again because, realistically, I only get to do it once or twice a year, so having this opportunity is great. Toledo is my style of racetrack too. It’s old and worn out and I think it bodes well for us. I just want to give us the best opportunity to win. So many great drivers have come through VMS and I’ve always wanted to race for them and I never thought this would happen. Being a part of the history of VMS is amazing so if I end up bringing home win #100 for them I might just die in Ohio right there!

Jesse Love – No. 20 JBL Toyota Camry
Looking forward to Toledo to finish what we started back in Daytona. It’s been a great year and I can’t wait for tomorrow. We are battling for owners points so that’s what I’m focused on until the end of tomorrows race.

Sean Hingorani – No. 25 GEARWRENCH Toyota Camry
Regarding the Toledo Race: I’m really looking forward to finishing out the main series of races with a strong run. After finishing second at All-American, I’m super motivated to chase that checkered flag. Although there’s a points cushion between me and second place in the ARCA Menards Series West championship, I want to win as many more races as possible regardless of the points.

VENTURINI MOTORSPORTS SALEM & ALL AMERICAN PRE-RACE FAST FACTS

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.

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