(DuQUOIN, Ill.) – Ken Schrader won the Southern Illinois 100 presented by Federated Car Care Monday, surviving a green-white-checkered finish to win for the second time this season in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

Schrader, in the No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet, won the pole, led the first 41 laps and led when it counted, the finish. He passed Tom Hessert in the No. 77 Barbera’s Autoland Dodge, just before a caution came out to set up the green-white-checkered finish. As cars fought for position, Hessert made his move but couldn’t get any closer to Schrader.

“That was just too much fun,” Schrader said in victory lane. It was his 17th career ARCA victory.

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STRICKLAND-HEDGES-STUDT-ABEL 2013 CHAMPS

Flat Rock, Michigan – While Paul Pelletier, Kyle Worley and Danny Gaddis visited the Sun Drop Winner’s Circle for the first time this season at Flat Rock Speedway, Dennis Strickland, Grant Hedges, Greg Studt and Rich Abel locked up their respective 2013 track championships on Heritage Newspapers Season Championship Night.  The exciting night was capped off with a fireworks display.

The 50 lap ARCA Moran Chevrolet Late Model championship event saw the first 29 laps run without a yellow flag.  Paul Pelletier nosed out in front of pole sitter Derek Wiley to take control of the race on the start.  Paul, running with the #6 on his car to honor car owner Bob Ward, who passed away recently, stayed in control the entire distance to grab the win.  Dennis Strickland got by Wiley in the final 12 laps to take second, cementing his second Flat Rock Late Model title in the process.  Ron Allen made a slick move on a restart and was able to grab third, rookie Frank Jiovani was fourth and Steve Cronenwett Jr. fifth.  Wiley was sixth, followed by Stan Yee Jr., Eric Lee, Scott Pemberton and Chris Benson.   Wiley set fast time at 11:825 for the 21 car field, with heat wins to Allen, Joe Hawes and Brad Turner.  Strickland topped Cronenwett Jr., Pelletier, Pemberton and Jiovani in the final points. (more…)

(MARNE, Mich.) – 17-year-old Erik Jones took advantage of several long green flag runs Saturdaynight and led more than 150 laps to win the Primera Plastics 200 at Berlin Raceway.

Jones won his first ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race and became the third different driver to go to Victory Lane in the No. 15 Venturini Motorsports Toyota this season.

“What a relief,” Jones said after winning the race. “During those last 50 laps, I was hearing all kinds of noises in the car. I was just hoping it would stay together and nothing would break. It’s just amazing to come here and win.”

Jones finished ahead of Mason Mingus, in the No. 32 811 Call Before You Dig Toyota, and the 44 of Frank Kimmel in the Ansell-Menards Toyota. Cunningham Motorsports driver Austin Wayne Self and polesitter Mason Mitchell in the Happy Cheeks Ford rounded out the top five.

Jones finished second in June at Pocono Raceway, then last week was leading with two laps to go before hitting the wall and then subsequent engine trouble left him with a 12th place finish. He said winning at Berlin Raceway – his home track – is somewhat of redemption.

“I’ve made a few mistakes that have cost us a win, so this one is nice,” Jones said. “I’ve probably raced this track about 10 times in a late model. I’ve had good late models and bad late models, but I’ve never won here. Last year, in the ARCA race, I finished third. Winning here is really nice.” (more…)

(LONG POND, Pa.) – Corey LaJoie is definitely on a roll.

The Richard Petty Motorsports development driver came from the back of the 36-field Friday to win the ModSpace 125 at Pocono Raceway. It was his first-ever visit to the track. He took the lead with two laps to go when the leader, Erik Jones, scrapped the wall and went to pit road.

“It just all worked out again,” he said. “Either way, we’re here in victory lane.”

Driving a Roulo Brothers Racing Ford, LaJoie also won at Chicagoland Speedway in July when the leader ran out of gas coming to the white flag. His second ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards win was just as dramatic. He was in the lead when he pitted on lap 34. He came out and eventually had a battle with Chase Elliott for the second position, but was about five seconds behind Jones.

“I don’t know what happened to him,” LaJoie said. “I was digging for all it was worth. We were catching him. His car was getting bigger in my windshield, but he was too far ahead.”

However, with two laps to go, Jones, in the No. 15 Venturini Motorsports Toyota, went to pit road. LaJoie grabbed the lead, saw the white flag and finished 17.013 seconds ahead of runner-up Frank Kimmel. Justin Boston, in the ZLOOP Computer & Electronics Recycling Toyota, finished third and Brennan Newberry in the Qore 24 Chevrolet fourth.

“People might say we got lucky twice, but if we weren’t in that position, we wouldn’t have been here,” LaJoie said. (more…)

(JOLIET, Ill.) – Corey LaJoie led when it counted Sunday, winning the Ansell ActivArmr 150 at Chicagoland Speedway in just his second career ARCA start. LaJoie passed leaders Justin Boston and Josh Williams just before taking the white flag and sailed to his biggest career win.

“It just all worked out,” said the Richard Petty Motorsports development driver.

LaJoie, driving the No. 17 Sims Metal Management-Roulo Brothers Ford, led 36 of the first 52 laps. His team decided to pit on lap 80 for fuel and two tires, a strategy that worked in his favor when pole sitter Ryan Blaney ran out of fuel with seven laps to go and Boston appeared to do the same with two circuits left.

“With about 20 to go, Harold Holly (crew chief) said we were going to come in for fuel and tires and see if we can out smart them a little bit,” LaJoie said. “I came in to get tires. After that it was just all-out racing. (more…)

Ties Iggy Katona’s All-Time ARCA Win Mark of 79 Victories

(WINCHESTER, Ind.) — Frank Kimmel made Winchester Speedway a little more historic Sundayafternoon.

Kimmel won the Herr’s Chase the Taste 200 to claim his 79th all-time ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards victory. In doing so, he tied Iggy Katona for the all-time series victory record.

“Every once in a while you have one of those near flawless days,” the 51-year-old Kimmel said after a long post-victory celebration. “This was one of those days for us.”

It was a remarkable day for the Indiana native, winning for the third time of the season and sixth time at Winchester Speedway. He led 158 laps of the 100-mile, 200-lap event. At the end, he had to hold off a hard challenge from teenager Austin Wayne Self in the AM Technical Solutions Dodge, who finished a length away. (more…)