On Friday, Rette Jones Racing announced the addition of Max Gutiérrez to the organization’s ARCA Menards Series program for the 2021 campaign, piloting the organization’s flagship No. 30 Ford Fusion full-time in the ARCA Menards Series East.
The 18-year-old will have sponsorship from TOUGHBUILT, Telcel, TekNekk and Avaya, in what will be his first full-time campaign in the ARCA Menards Series.
Gutiérrez made a pair of ARCA Menards Series East starts for Troy Williams’ No. 53 Toyota in 2020, scoring finishes of 12th and 14th at Five Flags Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway.
“First, I’m very happy to be running for the ARCA Menards Series East championship with Rette Jones Racing,” said a jubilant Gutiérrez. “I don’t have the words to express how thankful I am. I cannot thank my partners TOUGHBUILT, TekNekk, Telcel (Jimmy Morales) and Avaya enough for this chance and of course for Rette Jones Racing for the opportunity – and to all the people behind this project who made it possible, I can’t wait for the green flag.”
Team owner Mark Rette will serve as the crew chief for the No. 30 entry, as Gutiérrez looks to compete against a stacked class of individuals for the 2021 ARCA Menards Series East Championship.
To get acclimated to New Smyrna Speedway – where the Mexico City, Mexico-native will make his 2021 debut — the organization recently participated in a private test session at the central Florida facility, allowing the team to get acclimated to each other and adjust the setup on the TOUGHBUILT Ford Mustang.
“We made a lot of gains during the day and everyone left the track pleased,” offered Rette. “Max didn’t leave anything on the table and continued to provide exceptional feedback that allowed us to keep adjusting the handling on the No. 30 TOUGHBUILT | Telcel Ford Fusion with the hope of contending for a top-10 finish on Monday night.
“It’s going to be a stacked tour in 2021, but I feel that Max will be a quick learner and we can compete for not only Rookie of the Year – but the overall ARCA Menards Series East championship.”
“It is great to be involved in the ARCA Menards Series East to help my development for a path in NASCAR,” added Gutiérrez. “The cars are more powerful than in Mexico and a Late Model, but I feel I can control the car better than any other series I’ve competed in.
“There are goals to be conquered in 2021 and with the help of Rette Jones Racing and my partners, they are helping me make my dream a reality.”
Team owner Mark Rette is hopeful and confident that Gutiérrez will be able to contend for a top-10 finish at New Smyrna Speedway on Monday.
“We’re a winning team in the ARCA Menards Series East and we plan to continue that tradition with Max Gutiérrez in 2021,” sounded Rette. “When you have a determined driver and team, you’ve already have conquered half the battle before you even enter the garage.
“Max will utilize practice to his advantage and hopefully we can have a strong qualifying effort that will keep us near the front and allow Max to have a strong and clean race.”
Additional details regarding the 2021 ARCA Menards Series Plans for Rette Jones Racing will come at a later date, however, Brittney Zamora is entered to drive the team’s No. 30 Ford Fusion at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 13th.
