It’s finally time for the ARCA Menards Series East to have its season opener at Five Flags Speedway. After an unpredictable start to the 2023 ARCA Main and ARCA West Series season, we have to break down what’s going into this weekend.
Kicking off the 2023 ARCA East Season is a stacked lineup for the title battle. William Sawalich makes his ARCA East Debut with Joe Gibbs Racing and is looking to bounce back after a late race incident cost him the shot at the win in Phoenix.
Sean Hingorani makes his ARCA East debut with Venturini Motorsports. The Newport Beach native had a mixed back in his ARCA Main debut, coming home 16th at Phoenix.
Lavar Scott with Rev Racing is also running full-time for the ARCA East Title. He and the team are coming off a strong fourth at the season opener at Daytona.
Joining the title hunt are Ed Pompa, Zachary Tinkle, Rita Goulet, RJ Smotherman, Brad Smith, and Dale Shearer.
Phoenix winner Tyler Reif looks to continue his moment heading into Pensacola after getting the upset win in the desert on a late-race restart.
Several other drivers are also making their debuts for 2023. CARS Tour Champion Luke Fenhaus will be making his ARCA debut with Pinnacle Racing Group driving the no. 28 Chevrolet SS. Jake Finch will make his season debut with Venturini in the no. 20. And Rita Goulet will make her second ARCA East start in the no. 31.
The Pensacola 200 will go green at 8:05 PM ET/7:05 PM CT. You can watch the race live on FloRacing.
ARCA Menards Series East Pensacola 200 Full Entry List
| Entry | No. | Driver | Sponsor | Make | Team | Crew Chief |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 01 | Dallas Frueh | FastTrackRacing.com | Ford | Fast Track Raing | Dallas Frueh |
| 2 | 06 | Nate Moeller | Peterson Motorsports | Toyota | Wayne Peterson Racing | Wayne Peterson |
| 3 | 6 | Lavar Scott | Max Siegel Inc | Chevrolet | Rev Racing | Jay Lupo |
| 4 | 10 | Ed Pompa | Hy Torc / Double H Ranch | Ford | Fast Track Raing | Dick Doheny |
| 5 | 11 | Zachary Tinkle | RacingForRescues.org / IndianaOwned.com | Toyota | Fast Track Raing | Todd Parrott |
| 6 | 12 | Tim Monroe | FastTrackRacing.com | Toyota | Fast Track Raing | Tim Monroe |
| 7 | 15 | Sean Hingorani | VMS | Toyota | Venturini Motorsports | Kevin Reed Jr |
| 8 | 18 | William Sawalich | Starkey / Sound Gear | Toyota | Joe Gibbs Racing | Matt Ross |
| 9 | 20 | Jake Finch | VMS | Toyota | Venturini Motorsports | Shannon Rursch |
| 10 | 28 | Luke Fenhaus | Webb Racing | Chevrolet | Pinnacle Racing Group | Shane Huffman |
| 11 | 31 | Rita Goulet | Hitman Wear | Chevrolet | Rise Motorsports | Sebastian LeForge |
| 12 | 41 | Tyler Reif | Power Gen Components / Stoney's | Ford | Lowden Jackson Motorsports | Tony Jackson |
| 13 | 46 | RJ Smotherman | Country AF Radio / Stoney's | Ford | Lowden Jackson Motorsports | Tony Jackson |
| 14 | 48 | Brad Smith | Copraya | Ford | Brad Smith Motorsports | Carlos Leon |
| 15 | 95 | Tanner Arms | Sunset Park RV Manufacturing | Toyota | MAN Motorsports | Tony Ponkauskas |
| 16 | 98 | Dale Shearer | Shearer Racing | Toyota | Shearer Speed Racing | Jimmy Edlin |
