By Jerry Jordan, Editor
TALLADEGA – NASCAR and ARCA have reached an agreement where the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing has purchased the Automobile Racing Club of America.
“Our NASCAR family has long had a special connection with our friends at ARCA, and this is a logical step in demonstrating our commitment to the next generation of racers,” said Jim France, NASCAR vice chairman, executive vice president and member of the sport’s founding family. “This continues the legacy our sport was built upon and will deliver the great racing our fans expect.”
ARCA’s founder John Marcum and NASCAR founder Bill France were friends in the early days of stock car racing’s rise to prominence.
According to a press release from NASCAR, Jim France, NASCAR vice chairman, executive vice president and member of the sport’s founding family said, “Our NASCAR family has long had a special connection with our friends at ARCA, and this is a logical step in demonstrating our commitment to the next generation of racers. This continues the legacy our sport was built upon and will deliver the great racing our fans expect.”
ARCA will continue to operate as normal through the 2019 season with a 20-race schedule that includes nine companion events with, at least, one of NASCAR’s top touring series. ARCA also holds races at NASCAR Whelen All-American Series venues.
The smaller racing series first ran at Daytona in 1964.
“We are proud of the history and tradition of the ARCA Racing Series and the relationship we’ve built over six decades with NASCAR,” said Ron Drager, ARCA president and grandson of John Marcum. “We look forward to the opportunity to be more fully integrated with NASCAR and help shape the future of our sport.”
Too bad for ARCA. Fat boy will bleed them dry!