TOLEDO, Ohio (June 12, 2016) – Current ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards point leader Chase Briscoe finished a career-best second at Michigan Int’l Speedway Friday in the No. 77 Big Tine Ford, inching ever so closer to victory lane. Briscoe led 31 laps Friday at Michigan in his first appearance on the two-mile speedway.
If Briscoe can win the next event on tour at Madison Int’l Speedway, he would become the ninth different winner this year in as many events. It would also make one heck of a Father’s Day present for his dad Kevin Briscoe, who follows the ARCA tour wherever it goes. The Montgomery Ward Father’s Day 200 at Madison is coming next weekend, Saturday and Sunday, June 18-19.
Like most all these tracks on the ARCA circuit, Briscoe’s never been to Madison either, but based on the numbers, it shouldn’t matter. Briscoe now unofficially has a 145-points lead in the national championship standings over Josh Williams in second.
“I’ve never been to Madison. I know it’s a short track…that’s about it,” Briscoe said.
It’s not just Madison…any track with pavement on it is new to the Mitchell, Indiana rookie.
“I haven’t been to many pavement tracks, period. My background is all in sprint cars on dirt. Everything’s new to me here…the pavement, the stock cars, pit stops…everything. You’re talking about a 1,400-pound sprint car compared to a 3,300-pound ARCA car. Thirty to 40 lap features in the sprint car, and 200 miles in the ARCA car. There’s not a lot to compare.”
Briscoe is no doubt more at home on the dirt bullrings back home in Indiana, yet his ARCA numbers to date might suggest differently. The 21-year-old driver opened the season with a top-five run at Daytona and a top-10 at Nashville. He also won the Menards Pole at Nashville, Salem and Toledo, and finished third at Talladega. After a fourth-place finish in his first road course attempt at New Jersey, he finished 10th at Pocono Raceway, followed by his career-best runner-up run at Michigan As we get deeper into the 2016 season, Briscoe finds himself with a growing lead atop the series standings
.
After back-to-back superspeedways at Pocono and Michigan, Briscoe looks forward to returning to another short track.
“I take these tracks one at a time. Madison isn’t even on iRacing so I’ll watch a lot of YouTube races…two or three times to get an idea of the place. To me, it looks a lot like Nashville…long straightaways and tight corners. I’ll ask people who have been there…see what they know about the place.”
Briscoe also hopes to give Cunningham Motorsports its first national championship. Cunningham took a chance with Briscoe last year. It’s paying off this year.
“It’s humbling…I’m truly blessed to be in this position,” Briscoe continued. “Last year, I was going to the shop at Cunningham’s…volunteering…trying to get my foot in the door. Now I’m leading the points. I never thought I’d be here.”
Briscoe admits he’s still pinching himself regarding his opportunities with Cunningham Motorsports, a joint ownership group between Briggs Cunningham and Kerry Scherer.
“To be honest with you, I still don’t know how it happened. I got a call from Kerry Scherer to see if I’d be interested in going down to do a test. Went down to the shop…I told Paul (Andrews/Team Manager/Crew Chief) that if he ever needed any help, I’d be happy to volunteer my time. I told him that, ‘I don’t know anything about stock cars but I’m willing to help.’
“They tested me at Nashville…then I got the call to run Indy (Lucas Oil Raceway) and Salem after that. Next thing you know, I got offered the full deal. It’s unbelievable. Me and Briggs have become really good friends.”
Discounted tickets for the June 19 Montgomery Ward Father’s Day 200 at Madison Int’l Speedway remain available at 23 Menards stores across southern Wisconsin.
The offer for discounted tickets ends June 18, but you still have time to buy tickets for the June 19 Sunday afternoon ARCA race for $15, which is $10 off the gate price of $25. Tickets are available now at Menards stores in Baraboo, Beaver Dam, Beloit, Burlington, Franklin, Germantown, Janesville, Johnson Creek, Kenosha, La Crosse, Madison East, Madison West, Milwaukee, Monona, Oak Creek, Onalaska, Pewaukee, Platteville, Racine, Waukesha, West Allis, West Bend and West Milwaukee. Purchase your discounted tickets at Menards and also receive at free pair of sunglasses to be picked up at the Menards show car at track.
Weekend schedule/On-track autograph session Practice for the ARCA Racing Series at Madison is scheduled for Saturday, June 18 from 12:30-1:15 p.m., followed by final practice from 1:45-2:30. Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell is at 4:00.
Raceday Sunday gets started with an on-track autograph session from Noon – 1 p.m., followed by pre-race ceremonies and driver introductions at 1:30. The 200-lap Montgomery Ward Father’s Day 200 at Madison begins at 2:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon, June 19. The race will also feature live timing and scoring and live chat at ARCAracing.com.
Madison’s ARCA race to be broadcast Live on American Sports Network
The Montgomery Ward Father’s Day 200 will be broadcast live on the American Sports Network (ASN). Race fans can also see the live broadcast at AmericanSportsNet.com. Coverage on ASN at Madison begins at 2:00 p.m. local Central time.
DonRadebaugh dradebaugh@arcaracing.com
Comments