Face Off At Five Flags: Previewing The Pensacola 150

While spring break is over for most schools and universities, the ARCA Menards Series East is taking their weekend and heading to Florida anyway. The series kicks off its 2024 season with the Pensacola 150 and the famed Five Flags Speedway this Saturday.

Of note, this year’s race will only be 150 laps as to last year’s 200.

Heading into the race, last year’s champ looks to pick up where he left off. William Sawalich is back and looking to take home the ARCA Menards Series East championship once again, as well as the race win. He led all 200 laps last year en route to his first win in the ARCA Menards platform. The Eden Prarie, MN native looks to take the crown, but he’ll have some stout competition from the rest of the field.

Venturini Motorsports is set to bring out two of its young guys for the chance to take down the No. 18 machine. Gio Ruggiero gets the chance to take down Sawalich for the East Series championship this year in the No. 20 and is coming off a second-place finish at the last race at Phoenix. He’ll be joined by last year’s winner at Dover Motor Speedway, Jake Finch in the No. 55.

He won’t be the only one from the Finch family though, as his father’s team Phoenix Racing is bringing the No. 1 Chevy with asphalt late model star Bubba Pollard behind the wheel in his ARCA Menards Series East debut. He will join others competing in the ASA STARS Tour race at the short track that weekend as well.

It's been a big week for @bubbapollard26.

After announcing he's @NASCAR_Xfinity debut with @JRMotorsports at @RichmondRaceway, he's now joining the @ARCA_Racing Series East for the opener @FiveFlagsSpeed

FULL STORY: https://t.co/wz9QJGwlLz

— Ben Branscum (The New/Real One) (@benbranscum) March 5, 2024

Pinnacle Racing Group returns to the Series after running the first two races in the national tour. This year they’ll look to help young prospect Connor Zilisch take the title as he’ll be joining the series full-time in the No. 28.

As for some folks returning to the series, Zachary Tinkle will look to continue his success after finishing fifth in driver points at the end of last season. The Speedway, IN native, is returning to the No. 11 for Fast Track Racing. The team is also bringing iRacing driver Presley Sorah to the track for his ARCA debut in the No. 12.

D.L. Wilson looks to have a strong start to the season after having to sit out most of 2023. The veteran joins forces with Cosnter Weaver Motorsports for a full schedule in the East. They’ll also bring in Mannford, OK native Colton Collins to pilot the No. 93.

Other notable drivers looking for a good day in the Florida sunshine include Nate Moeller, Rita Goulet, Brad Smith, Hunter Wright, Dale Shearer, and several others.

You can catch the Pensacola 150 live on FloRacing this Saturday at 8:30 P.M.

Official Entry List for the Pensacola 150 at Five Flags Speedway