By Christian Koelle, Staff Writer
GMS Racing will not return to the ARCA Menards Series in 2023, the organization announced on Friday (Jan. 6th).
“In an effort to shift the team’s primary focus and resources towards competing for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship, GMS Racing will not field an ARCA Menards Series entry in 2023,” said GMS Racing president Mike Beam.
Since rejoining the series in 2019, GMS Racing’s ARCA Menards Series program served as the organization’s farm system’s first step. With Sam Mayer behind the wheel, GMS Racing became a staple in the ARCA Menards Series again winning the ARCA Menards Series East championship in 2019 and 2020. Grant Enfinger earned the organization’s sole ARCA Menards Series championship in 2015 while Daniel Dye just came up short of making it two championships finishing second in 2022 ARCA Menards Series points.
“Everyone at GMS Racing is grateful for its time spent over eight seasons competing in the ARCA Menards Series. The series has been near and dear to our hearts, as ARCA was where our roots as a stock car racing team truly began. We have been fortunate for our organization to have had success throughout the years, namely winning the 2015 national championship with Grant Enfinger and the 2019 and 2020 ARCA Menards Series East championships with Sam Mayer.”
Enfinger earned the organization its first victory in 2014 at Berlin Raceway. He would earn seven more victories in the ARCA Menards Series and would ultimately make the move up the to NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2016 and earn his first NCTS victory at Talladega that season. Mayer would be the second-most winningest driver for GMS Racing in the ARCA Menards Series with five victories in 2020 and Daniel Dye would pick up a sole victory at Berlin Raceway in 2021.
“In total, our team was able to accomplish 23 wins across the ARCA slate, but above all of that has been the countless memories we have made both on and off the track. The ARCA team of series officials, drivers, and fans have been world-class to work with, and we are thankful for everyone that has helped along the way. To our loyal partners and fans who have supported our efforts within the series, we offer our greatest respect and gratitude, and look forward to what’s ahead for our organization as a whole moving forward.”
GMS Racing’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series lineup for 2023 consists of ARCA Menards Series alumni Grant Enfinger, Rajah Caruth, and Daniel Dye.