By Christian Koelle, Staff Writer
The ARCA Menards Series heads to West Allis, Wisconsin on Sunday for the Sprecher 150 at the famed Milwaukee-Mile.
The famed Milwaukee-Mile has hosted at least one race every year since 1903, NASCAR and ARCA have been a part of that in the past.
For the first time since June 20th, 2009, a NASCAR sanctioned series will compete on the famed one-mile track. It marks the first time since August 28th, 2007 that the ARCA Menards Series raced at Milwaukee. With two major championship battles on the table, Milwaukee will provide a challenge for the stars of the ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East.
24 drivers will take to the Milwaukee Mile snapping a streak of 4,453 days without a NASCAR sanctioned event. Click here to see the entry list for Sunday’s race.
Point Spot – Top Five in Each ARCA Series (National, East, West, and Sioux Chief Showdown)
ARCA Menards Series (Active at Milwaukee)
- Ty Gibbs: 812
- Corey Heim: 812
- Thad Moffitt: 611 (-201)
- Nick Sanchez: 593 (-219)
- Brad Smith: 467 (-345)
ARCA Menards Series East (Active at Milwaukee)
- Sammy Smith: 304
- Mason Diaz: 285 (-19)
- Daniel Dye: 278 (-26)
- Max Gutierrez: 274 (-30)
- Joey Iest: 269 (-35)
ARCA Menards Series West (Off Until September 11th – Portland)
- Jesse Love: 201
- Cole Moore:190 (-11)
- Jake Drew: 187 (-14)
- Todd Souza: 187 (-14)
- Paul Pedroncelli, Jr.: 181 (-20)
Sioux Chief Showdown (Active at Milwaukee)
- Ty Gibbs: 295
- Corey Heim: 287 (-8)
- Nick Sanchez: 261 (-34)
- Thad Moffitt: 258 (-37)
- Taylor Gray: 196 (-99)
What the Drivers Have to Say…
Ty Gibbs – No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry
“We just keep hammering down and keep winning,” said Gibbs. “That’s the biggest thing to help us out on points. My guys are never going to give up, so we’re going to keep fighting.”
Parker Retzlaff – No. 42 Paul Senft & Sons Trenching/Ponsse Toyota Camry
“I’m stoked about getting back in the No. 42 Paul Senft & Sons Trenching | Ponsse Toyota this weekend at the Milwaukee Mile,” added Retzlaff. “Having to sit out Iowa was probably the hardest thing in my career so far, but I realize that there are going to be some challenges and bump along the way and I’m focused on getting back behind the wheel and continuing our pace from Southern National.”
“Even though most of the field doesn’t have experience at the Milwaukee Mile, I think it is going to be a very competitive race where there is going to be little to no room for error. I’m taking all the steps I can to prepare myself for the race on Sunday. I know Bruce (Cook, owner) and my crew chief Amber (Slagle) is bringing me a fast and competitive car, and hopefully, it will lead us to Victory Lane. That would certainly put an exclamation point on everything that we’ve had to encounter in 2021.”
“I am really hoping that the hours that I have spent on iRacing at the Milwaukee Mile will help on Sunday,” added Retzlaff. “iRacing without a doubt has made me a better race car driver and I’m hoping that my weeks of preparation will help ease the real-life transition on Sunday.”
Daniel Dye – No. 21 GMS Racing Chevrolet SS
“It will be fun getting back in the GMS Racing Chevrolet Sunday in Milwaukee after a few weeks off. I know it’s been a while since Chad Bryant (crew chief) has been there, but he and the GMS guys always bring great equipment to the track, and I’m confident we’ll be dialed in. I haven’t raced at a track like Milwaukee in an ARCA car, so there will definitely be a learning curve, but hopefully, we’ll get it figured out quickly like some of our other races this season and be in contention upfront when it counts on Sunday afternoon.”
Eric Caudell
“Milwaukee is exciting because it’s flat and there are lots of opportunities to make mistakes at different parts of the track,” said Caudell. “We’re always shooting towards the overall goal of running in the top 10 and trying to be a top 10 team and we’ll continue towards that goal for this race.”
Mason Diaz
“I’m looking for a strong run Sunday afternoon,” said Diaz. “Tommy Baldwin and Visconti Motorsports are bringing a stout piece to the track and I am super excited for Sunday.”
Social Media Corner
Corey Heim – @CoreyHeim3
WINNER! Corey dominates the @ARCA_Racing Allen Crowe 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds! The @VenturiniMotor No. 20 @Craftsman Camry goes to victory lane for the sixth time in 2021. [PR] #TeamToyota pic.twitter.com/C7cNmacplv
— Corey Heim (@CoreyHeim_) August 22, 2021
Ty Gibbs – @TyGibbs_
Victory pose pic.twitter.com/QMq1vGND9p
— Toyota Racing (@ToyotaRacing) August 23, 2021
Sammy Smith – @sammysmithSS
🧊We're gearing up for @MilwaukeeMile with a giveaway!
To enter to win this signed @EngineIce hat and hero card, you must:
•RT/Like this post
•Follow @sammysmithSS, @EngineIce, & @teamRSMGWinner will be chosen at random next week. Good luck! pic.twitter.com/bgtupDjvmr
— Sammy Smith (@sammysmithSS) August 25, 2021
Rajah Caruth – @rajahcaruth
I had a great time this afternoon at @sprecherbrewery and meeting Mr Sharad, Ms Linda, and Brij. Can’t wait to see you guys at the track on Sunday! https://t.co/FxTtpXY3Xh
— Rajah Kirby Caruth (@rajahcaruth_) August 27, 2021
Daniel Dye – @danieldye43
Pit road is flooded here at @CordeleSpeedway pic.twitter.com/zSpqAFQk20
— Daniel Dye (@danieldye43) August 14, 2021
Joey Iest – @IestJoey
How about @IestJoey???
The 18-year-old gets is FIRST ARCA Menards win in tonight's West Series race at @cnsracing 🏁 pic.twitter.com/rTQcbqBTdY
— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) August 1, 2021
Mason Diaz – @masondiazracing
What a weekend! Came up one spot short sadly but our strongest run of the year! We started second and finished 2nd to one of the best in the series. Thank you to everyone Mike Darne Racing, Solid Rock Carriers, Prince William Marina and The sign Shop. #lucasoiltouring12 pic.twitter.com/t1N2oVt5ZA
— Mason Diaz (@masondiazracing) August 3, 2021
Come on Down! – Ticket & Broadcast Information
Tickets are available for Sunday’s race by clicking here. Tickets start at $25 in both reserved and general admission. Be sure to bring the kids with youth tickets starting at $5 (5-11) and kids four and under free!
If you can’t come on down, The Sprecher 150 at Milwaukee-Mile goes live on MAVTV at 3 p.m. ET and can also be seen via the NBC Sports Gold: TrackPass program. There will also be an audio broadcasted version of the Sprecher 150 exclusively on the ARCA website (ARCARacing.com). Timing and scoring will also be available.