By Christian Koelle, Staff Writer
2018 Pirelli World Challenge Champion Parker Chase will be racing in the ARCA Menards Series this season. Chase, who raced for Kyle Busch Motorsports earlier this year on the Daytona Road Course in the Truck Series, will make his season debut at Charlotte Motor Speedway later this month.
“I’m excited for the challenge and ready to take this next step with Toyota Racing and Venturini Motorsports,” said Chase. “Although I’ve been racing since the age of 13, everything I know revolves around road course racing. Joining VMS gives me a great opportunity to gain experience and learn the differences between driving a stock car. As a driver, your mindset is always about winning, but this year it’s all about adapting to a new car and leaning on my team to get to the point where I can compete for trophies in the future. Right now it’s all about keeping the car clean and finding a baseline – taking what I learn each week and building confidence and getting better.”
Chase made his ARCA debut last season with Chad Bryant Racing on the Daytona Road Course finishing 10th. He’s also run some late model races to get acquainted behind the wheel of a stock car after spending his career in sports car racing. He will be running the scheduled test at Charlotte on May 10th in preparation of his return and ARCA oval debut.
“I ran a few late model races last year at Hickory, but this will be a lot different with the heavier car and the competition level in the ARCA Series. Right now my daily routine includes working out and doing everything I can to prepare myself by watching and studying film and spending as much time as I can in the simulator. I’ll be ready and definitely looking forward to getting in the seat.”
Chase will pilot the No. 25 NXTLVL Marine Toyota Camry entry starting at Charlotte on May 29th. He will also run the car at Winchester Speedway (July 31st), Bristol Motor Speedway (September 16th), and in the season finale at Kansas Speedway (October 23rd). He will also run the ARCA Menards Series West finale at Phoenix Raceway on November 6th.
Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography