Sending It In Iowa: Previewing The Atlas 150

It’s time once more to head to America’s heartland for the ARCA Menards Series and the ARCA Menards Series East as they both head to the fields of Iowa for the Atlas 150 at Iowa Speedway.

It’s a big weekend for NASCAR at the track in Newton, IA as the Cup Series make their debut, but ARCA has been coming to the speedway since the track’s opening back in 2006. The record book hosts a slew of previous winners including Frank Kimmel, Parker Kligerman, Chase Elliott, Corey Lajoie, Brandon Jones, Ty Gibbs, and last year’s race winner Luke Fenhaus are among some of the standouts.

Heading into the action under the lights on Friday night, ARCA Menards Series points leader Andres Perez is looking to on his pole from Charlotte on Memorial Day weekend. The Mexico City native still has yet to win the ARCA platform, but has a 16-point lead. Perez is also coming off his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut where he came home in ninth driving for Spire Motorsports.

Just behind him in points sits Greg Van Alst. He’s had a consistent season with an average finish of 9.7 and will look to close that gap on the Rev Racing No. 2 machine.

With the ARCA Menards Series East joining the fold, there will also be a few of those drivers looking to get their names into the play.

Hotshoe and East Series points leader Connor Zilisch hits the track for the first time since his win back at Flat Rock Speedway. He’ll look to go two for two in combination races after winning earlier this year back at Dover Motor Speedway. He’s also coming off a win in a Mazda MX-5 race this past weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Looking to hunt him down in the points and close the gap is William Sawalich. After running a few races out West at Portland and Sonoma, he’ll look to get back in the win column out East.

Other notables heading to take a win and make some include the Venturini stable with Gio Ruggiero, Amber Balcaen, Toni Breidinger, Kris Wright, and Daytona winner Gus Dean. CW Motorsports brings a new face as Cody Dennison makes his debut with the team. Returning to the series for the first time since 2018 is Mason Mitchell, driving the No. 23 Sigma Performance Services Racing team that won last Friday in the ARCA Menards Series West race at Sonoma.

You can catch the Atlas 150 live from Iowa Speedway at 8 P.M. ET/7 P.M ET on FS1 and MRN Radio.

Official Entry List for the Atlas 150