Plans are starting to come together for the 2024 ARCA Menards Series season, and it looks to continue to play in the dirt after announcing that they will be returning to Springfield and DuQuoin for next season.
Officials announced that the two dirt mile tracks will be back on the schedule, with the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield on Sunday, August 18th, and DuQuoin State Fairgrounds on Sunday, September 1st.
“These two races are an important part of ARCA’s schedule because they represent a direct connection to our past,” ARCA president Ron Drager said in a press release.
The @ARCA_Racing Series has confirmed that the series will return to both Springfield and DuQuoin this morning.
Springfield is set for Aug. 18th and DuQuoin on Sept. 1st. They join Talladega and Iowa as part of the 2024 schedule.#ARCAMenards
— old ben (gone and forgotten) (@BrBranscum43) October 18, 2023
Springfield and the Illinois State Fairgrounds have been a staple on the ARCA Menards Series schedule, dating back to 1983, with Dean Roper winning the first race. Other former winners include Bob Keselowski, Tim Steele, Ken Schrader, Frank Kimmel, Justin Allgaier, Parker Kligerman, Grant Enfinger, Christian Eckes, and this year’s ARCA Menards Driver Champion Jesse Love.
Meanwhile, DuQuoin will continue its tradition of racing since the 1940s. Dating back to ARCA’s co-sanctioned races with USAC in the 1950s. ARCA took on full sanctioning of the race in 1985 and has held a race there from 1985-2011 and from 2013 through the present day. Former winners in the dirt include Roper, Keselowski, Kimmel, Schrader, Kilgerman, Kligerman, Chris Buescher, Austin Theriault, Landen Lewis, and Ryan Unzicker.
“It’s important to continue that tradition, to honor our history and for the terrific race fans in Illinois,” Drager added.
DuQuoin and Springfield join Talladega and Iowa as part of the races for the 2024 season. Talladega was announced to be back on April 20th, and Iowa will join as a support to the NASCAR Cup Series debut at the track on June 14th.
The full 2024 ARCA Menards Series schedule will be released at a later date.
