After a 14-year pause, the ARCA Racing Series is preparing for a Charlotte Motor Speedway reunion. The 21st ARCA race at Charlotte, the General Tire 150, is scheduled for May 24.
“Charlotte Motor Speedway is all about entertaining the fans, so we’re thrilled to add ARCA racing to our lineup of unmatched motorsports entertainment during the 10 Days of NASCAR Thunder,” said Greg Walter, Charlotte Motor Speedway executive vice president. “The ARCA Racing Series has showcased some spectacularly successful drivers in the recent past like Joey Logano, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson. We’re sure that another rising star will make a name for himself on our world-class stage.”
The ARCA-Charlotte connection is one that reaches back to 1964 when the late Curtis Turner turned in a dominating performance to win the inaugural Charlotte ARCA 200. Thirty-two years would pass before the ARCA Racing Series returned to Charlotte in 1996 when Tim Steele won the first of three consecutive races on the 1.5-mile superspeedway. ARCA remained on Charlotte's annual schedule up through 2004.
“Charlotte Motor Speedway’s stature in stock car racing makes it a top-tier destination,” said ARCA President Ron Drager. “We appreciate the opportunity to return to Charlotte in 2018, especially in partnership with General Tire, our Official Tire Partner. We look forward to an exciting General Tire 150 on May 24.”
Other than inaugural winner Curtis Turner and 4-time Charlotte winner Tim Steele, past ARCA winners at Charlotte include Mark Thompson, Mario Gosselin, Frank Kimmel, Adam Petty, Ryan Newman, Lyndon Amick, Kerry Earnhardt, Kirk Shelmerdine, Jeff Fultz and Chad Blount. Ryan Hemphill won the last ARCA race at Charlotte in 2004.
ARCA officials will host an open test ahead of the General Tire 150 at Charlotte May 10 with on-track activity scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ARCAracing.com will provide live timing, scoring and chat for the test.
Practice for the General Tire 150 is Thursday, May 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. General Tire Pole Qualifying follows at 5. The General Tire 150 is live on FS1 at 9 p.m. Thursday night. All times are Eastern.
