Photo – Ranier Ehrhardt
So far in the 2014 ARCA season, it has been the same old song and dance for Grant Enfinger. The Alabama driver has won the first three races to start the season, becoming only the second driver to so do since Ramo Stott in 1970.
Enfinger showed speed in last year’s Talladega race, before getting caught up in an accident. The No. 90 car is the one to beat again this weekend at Talladega. He will have some challengers hot on his tail.
Defending champ Frank Kimmel won last year’s race on his way to his tenth ARCA championship. Kimmel’s nephew, Will, returns to the track for the first time since Daytona in the #68 Kimmel Racing Ford.
Another driver returning to the circuit is Mark Thompson. He will once again race for the same team he finished fourth with last year, Turner Scott Motorsports.
Bobby Gerhart makes another start in his No. 5. He won at Talladega in Oct. 2001 and will make his 300th ARCA start on Saturday. Gerhart and Frank Kimmel are the only Talladega winners in the field.
John Wes Townley will look to redeem himself after cutting down a tire last year and ending his day. Expect the Venturini cars to show some speed.
A few underdogs to keep an eye on are Josh Williams, Spencer Gallagher, and Mason Mitchell.
Williams finished sixth in his first start of the 2014 season at Salem. Gallagher finished runner-up for the second straight year in last week’s Federated Auto Parts 200. Mitchell and his family team are off to a good start in this season, currently sitting third in points.
ARCA will also feature multi-car qualifying for the first time at Talladega. The fastest drafting speed determines the pole.
Brandon McReynolds was the last driver to get his first ARCA win in this race in 2012.
The International Motorsports Hall of Fame 200 is live on Sat., May 3 on FOX Sports 1 at 11 a.m. ET.