Full Send At Salem: Previewing The Salem ARCA 200

As we hit the halfway mark for the ARCA Menards Series 2024 season, what better way to kick off the second half than with the oldest track in the series for the ARCA Salem 200 at the famed Salem Speedway.

The half-mile high banked oval has been part of the schedule since the series was founded, this weekend’s race will mark the 110th race for the ARCA platform at the speedway. Former winners include Tim Steele, Bob Keselowski, Ken Schrader, Frank Kimmel, Billy Venturini, Brennan Poole, Christian Eckes, Ty Gibbs, and last year’s winner Jesse Love. Heading into this hot, July weekend, the Salem, IN track will get a first-time winner at the speedway.

Love Conquers All: Jesse Love Wins at Salem, Clinches 2023 ARCA Menards Series Championship

Heading into the weekend, Andres Perez sits atop the points standings, by 46 points over second place Anderson, IN native Greg Van Alst. Perez came home second here last year, and it still hunting for his first career win in the ARCA platform.

#ARCA: @AndresPLG2 continues to extend his ARCA Menards Series points lead on the pack with a second-place finish at IRP.

Meanwhile, in the ARCA Menards Series East, @ConnorZilisch continues to extend his lead over William Sawalich. pic.twitter.com/J63z2LZT1n

— Joseph Srigley (@joe_srigley) July 20, 2024

Rolling into Southern Indiana are several storylines. Reigning ARCA Menards Series East Champion William Sawalich is back behind the wheel of the No. 18 machine and will look to get some redemption after coming up short last race out Lucas Oil IRP on a late-race restart.

While Sawalich will look to better the 28 car from Pinnacle Racing Group, this week it will have a new face behind the wheel as Corey Day will make his ARCA Menards Series debut with the team. Day is part of the JR Motorsports late model program and took home his first career asphalt win in his asphalt debut at Hickory Motor Speedway, back in April.

HendrickCars.com Supporting Corey Day in Three-Race ARCA Slate with Pinnacle Racing Group

Looking to spoil the fun of the full-time drivers is hometown hero and local favorite Will Kimmel in the Kimmel Racing No. 69 machine. The Jeffersonville, IN native ran earlier this season at Charlotte and came home an impressive 4th place with his family-run team. He’s looking to break through and get that first career win in the ARCA platform. Joining him from Kimmel Racing is Mike Basham in the 68 car.

‘It’s Special To Be Back’: Will Kimmel Finishes An Emotional Fourth Place In Charlotte

Other notables include two other Indiana natives of Van Alst Motorsports Greg Van Alst and Isaac Johnson, who is looking to get his second top-10 this season. The Venturini Motorsports crew, headlined by Jake Finch hopping in the No. 20 along with Gus Dean, Toni Breidinger, Amber Balcaen, and Kris Wright. Ryan Roulette, who is set to make his debut at the track, and several others.

You can catch the Salem ARCA 200 live on FS1 at 8:00 PM ET.

Official Entry List for the Salem ARCA 200