The one and only practice session for the ARCA Menards Series at Daytona International Speedway, and first-timer Marco Andretti has set the pace for the rest of the field.
The Nazareth, PA native set a 48.600 time on the board in the No. 17 Chevy for Cook Racing Technologies. Andretti is set to team up with Bruce Cook’s No. 17 for several more races this season, and it looks like they are off to a strong start.
Right place, right time.@MarcoAndretti reflects on his practice run and his expectations for this weekend. pic.twitter.com/lv1fi8BrQv
— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) February 15, 2024
Fall just 0.001 short was NASCAR Whelen Modified driver Patrick Emerling in his equipment who ran a 48.601 in the No. 08 Ford. He is also set to run the double on Saturday as the driver of the No. 07 for SS Green Light Racing.
Series fan favorite Willie Mullins in his No. 3 Ford took home the third place. The Fredricksburg, VA owner-driver, is looking to pull off some magic as a single-car team.
Venturini Motorsports’ Kris Wright and series veteran Dale Quarterly rounded out the rest of the top five. All were only separated by .118.
Venturini cars of Jake Finch, Gus Dean, Amber Balcaen, and Toni Breidinger took home sixth through ninth with Fast Track Racing Ed Pompa rounding out the top ten.
Just missing the top ten in eleventh is NASCAR Modified Champion Justin Bonsignore and just behind him is Rev Racing’s Lavar Scott.
Pinnacle Racing Group’s No. 28 and driver Shane Van Gisbergen ran the 13th-best lap. He’s another one looking to pull the double in the Xfinity Series race on Saturday afternoon.
Other notables include Tanner Gray in 15th, sophomore Andres Perez in 18th, first-year full-timer Caleb Costner in 20th with Youngs Motorsports driver Leland Honeyman Jr. just outside the top 20.
NASCAR Whelen Euro driver Gil Linster ran 24th with teammate Scott Melton No. 69 running just a few spots back in 28th.
Last year’s winner Greg Van Alst was only able to put up a lap good enough for the 30th place when all was said and done. Just being him was Mandy Chick, who is looking to pull off another top-five here again this season.
Qualifying for the ARCA Menards Daytona 200 is on Friday at 1:30 PM ET.
Practice Results from Daytona
| Pos | # | Driver | Time | Diff | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 | Marco Andretti | 48.600 | 13 | |
| 2 | 08 | Patrick Emerling | 48.601 | -0.001 | 7 |
| 3 | 3 | Willie Mullins | 48.676 | -0.076 | 3 |
| 4 | 15 | Kris Wright | 48.718 | -0.118 | 4 |
| 5 | 4 | Dale Quarterley | 48.718 | -0.118 | 5 |
| 6 | 20 | Jake Finch | 48.719 | -0.119 | 3 |
| 7 | 55 | Gus Dean | 48.733 | -0.133 | 3 |
| 8 | 22 | Amber Balcaen | 48.792 | -0.192 | 7 |
| 9 | 25 | Toni Breidinger | 48.840 | -0.240 | 3 |
| 10 | 10 | Ed Pompa | 49.295 | -0.695 | 10 |
| 11 | 30 | Justin Bonsignore | 49.309 | -0.709 | 10 |
| 12 | 6 | Lavar Scott | 49.456 | -0.856 | 12 |
| 13 | 28 | Shane Van Gisbergen | 49.512 | -0.912 | 10 |
| 14 | 73 | Andy Jankowiak | 49.516 | -0.916 | 12 |
| 15 | 18 | Tanner Gray | 49.527 | -0.927 | 13 |
| 16 | 97 | Jason Kitzmiller | 49.528 | -0.928 | 16 |
| 17 | 62 | Steve Lewis Jr. | 49.805 | -1.205 | 11 |
| 18 | 2 | Andres Perez | 49.810 | -1.210 | 9 |
| 19 | 36 | Ryan Huff | 50.051 | -1.451 | 19 |
| 20 | 93 | Caleb Costner | 50.142 | -1.542 | 9 |
| 21 | 02 | Leland Honeyman Jr. | 50.312 | -1.712 | 19 |
| 22 | 13 | Armani Williams | 50.471 | -1.871 | 20 |
| 23 | 07 | Jeff Scofield | 50.552 | -1.952 | 11 |
| 24 | 68 | Gil Linster | 50.581 | -1.981 | 11 |
| 25 | 63 | John Aramendia | 50.594 | -1.994 | 14 |
| 26 | 32 | Christian Rose | 50.677 | -2.077 | 8 |
| 27 | 34 | Issac Johnson | 50.681 | -2.081 | 9 |
| 28 | 69 | Scott Melton | 50.684 | -2.084 | 16 |
| 29 | 7 | Eric Caudell | 50.714 | -2.114 | 8 |
| 30 | 35 | Greg Van Alst | 50.732 | -2.132 | 5 |
| 31 | 74 | Mandy Chick | 50.744 | -2.144 | 14 |
| 32 | 8 | Sean Corr | 50.896 | -2.296 | 3 |
| 33 | 95 | Brayton Laster | 50.994 | -2.394 | 24 |
| 34 | 75 | Bryan Dauzat | 51.069 | -2.469 | 12 |
| 35 | 57 | Hunter Deshautelle | 51.082 | -2.482 | 9 |
| 36 | 44 | Thomas Annunziata | 51.118 | -2.518 | 7 |
| 37 | 11 | Bryce Haugeberg | 51.196 | -2.596 | 10 |
| 38 | 87 | Charles Buchanan | 51.219 | -2.619 | 9 |
| 39 | 12 | Ryan Roulette | 51.361 | -2.761 | 12 |
| 40 | 88 | A.J. Moyer | 51.444 | -2.844 | 12 |
| 41 | 27 | Tim Richmond | 51.675 | -3.075 | 10 |
| 42 | 01 | Takuma Koga | 51.867 | -3.267 | 6 |
| 43 | 99 | Michael Maples | 52.233 | -3.633 | 13 |
| 44 | 06 | Tommy O'Leary IV | 53.807 | -5.207 | 5 |
| 45 | 31 | Mitch Gibson | 54.411 | -5.811 | 17 |
| 46 | 47 | Becca Monopoli | 54.895 | -6.295 | 2 |
| 47 | 48 | Brad Smith | 55.344 | -6.744 | 8 |
| 48 | 98 | Dale Shearer | 55.591 | -6.991 | 12 |
| 49 | 86 | Cody Dennison | 57.082 | -8.482 | 12 |
| 50 | 03 | Alex Clubb | -- | -- | -- |
