Daily Archives: March 9, 2019

Five Flags Speedway Hosting ARCA Menard’s Series; Bret Holmes Hosting Guests, Family, Friends, and Family

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ARCA Menards Series, Bret Holmes signing autographs at Five Flags Speedway before the ARCA Pensacola 200 race on Saturday, March 9, 2019.
Photo – Jay ‘MJ’ Husmann/Fan4Racing Blog and Radio

Every driver has raced at their home track before moving up to compete on a national level touring series.  For Munford, Alabama’s Bret Holmes, his home track is Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. 

Racing his No. 23 family-owned team with the ARCA Menard’s Series, which returns to Five Flag Speedways after a 23-year absence, it is a homecoming for the 2016 pro-late-model track champion. Holmes was sixth fastest in the lone practice session and was able to up that to the fifth spot during qualifying based on his knowledge of the track and it’s driving conditions.  But while focusing on the car and race, he is also doing some entertaining.  As a local driver, Holmes fan base in this area is huge and it shows.

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Chandler Smith Will Start from the Pole at Five Flags Speedway

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ARCA Menards Series driver, Chandler Smith drives the No. 20 for Venturini Motorsports and wins the Pole for the ARCA Pensacola 200 at Five Flags Speedway on Saturday, March 9, 2019. Photo – Jay ‘MJ’ Husmann/Fan4Racing Blog and Radio

Chandler Smith returns to his ARCA Menards Series pole-winning ways, setting a fast time of 16.990 to start up front in his No. 20 Craftsman Toyota Camry for the ARCA Pensacola 200 presented by Inspectra Thermal Solutions.  Sitting to his outside is the only car that was faster than him in practice, his Venturini Motorsports teammate Michael Self in the Sinclair Oils No. 25.

“It means a lot, especially for this place. I feel like it’s going to be whoever gets out front, sets the pace for everybody, and that’s how the rest of the field is gonna end up pacing.  So I’m really glad I’m sitting out front and I’m definitely gonna be able to set the pace.”

Chandler Smith, The ARCA Pensacola Pole Sitter at Five Flags Speedway

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Venturini Motorsports Sweeps Top-Three in Practice at Five Flags Speedway

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Top-Three in the ARCA Menards Series practice session on Saturday, March 9, 2019. Michael Self No. 25, Chandler Smith No. 20, and Christian Eckes No. 15. (photo taken before the practice session at Five Flags Speedway)
Photo – Jay ‘MJ’ Husmann/Fan4Racing Blog and Radio

Earlier today and before the ARCA Menards Series practice at Five Flags Speedway, Tom Venturini with Venturini Motorsports spoke with a few media members by their hauler, and his thoughts about the organization and their prospects for this weekend may turn out to be prophetic.

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ARCA Menards Series Title Possible for Rookie Christian Eckes with Venturini Motorsports

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Christian Eckes driver of the No. 15 for Venturini Motorsports
Photo – AMS

Last year, Sheldon Creed won the ARCA Menards Series championship in his first year driving full-time in the series but wasn’t eligible as a rookie due to his previous number of starts.  In 2019, Venturini Motorsports is looking to make a Rookie of the Year contender the series champion as well, having tabbed young 18-year old Christian Eckes to drive their No. 15 JBL Audio Toyota full-time.

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Where to Start at Phoenix? Bell, Allgaier have Strong Opinions

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Justin Allgaier and Christopher Bell at ISM Raceway in Phoenix
Photos – Daniel Shirey-Stacy Revere/Getty Images

AVONDALE, Ariz. – With the NASCAR Xfinity Series coming to ISM Raceway for the second time, it’s a given that starting or restarting in what used to be turn two can be problematic.

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