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ARCA: June Repeat Unlikely at Michigan
Written by: Mike Harper
RaceTalkRadio.com   http://www.racetalkradio.com
06/13/2007
Brooklyn, MI
 
ARCA RE/MAX Series comes to Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images for NASCAR) » More Photos
Last season as the ARCA RE/MAX Series prepared for the June race at Michigan, no one would've predicted a complete domination by one team. But now when you look up the word domination in the ARCA dictionary, Stremme and Michigan are there.

Nextel Cup Series driver David Stremme, driving for RWI Racing, which is owned by legendary driver Rusty Wallace, took the green flag for last season's Hantz Group 200 event at Michigan International Speedway and didn't look back. Stremme lapped the entire field and left 40 drivers and teams scratching their heads in disbelief.

"I used to do that a lot," Stremme told reporters, referring to lapping the field. "But as you move up, there's more competition. The ARCA series is tough, so this is pretty cool."

The ARCA RE/MAX Series returns to Michigan International Speedway for this weekend's ARCA 200, but this time without Stremme. And, while his domination from last season's event is still on the minds of those who witnessed it, the level of competition for this season's event is far greater.

The level of ARCA talent gathering in the Irish Hills of Michigan this weekend should be enough to raise the eyebrows of NASCAR owners looking to build their driver development programs. Several NASCAR teams including Bill Davis Racing, Evernham Motorsports, Penske Racing, Richard Childress Racing, and Roush Fenway Racing are entered into this weekend's ARCA event. This level of talent and equipment is why I believe we won't see a repeat of last season's June event.

While I'm certain the competition will provide a great race, I'm hopeful the ARCA regulars will take advantage of this opportunity to turn the heads of NASCAR owners.
NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers Casey Mears (left) and Reed Sorenson hold the title of ARCA winner at Michigan. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images for NASCAR) » More Photos

In my opinion, Michigan is one of a few ARCA tracks that can be used by a young-gun as a stepping stone to NASCAR. Five of the past six winners from ARCA's event at Michigan are currently running in one of NASCAR's top three series. Casey Mears, Reed Sorenson and Steve Wallace are a few who hold the title of ARCA winner at Michigan and now enjoy a career in NASCAR.

Dexter Bean, currently fourth in the ARCA RE/MAX Series standings, has
two top 10 finish in three races at Michigan. As the series heads into its 11th event of the season, Bean is coming off a career best second place finish at Pocono and is excited to be heading to Michigan. "Safe for me to say that every time we've been to Michigan we've had a top 10 car, so we're excited to be going back," said Bean. "We're bringing a car that we've never ran, out of our shop and we've got a new paint scheme. An all black car this week so it's different for the team and I know they're excited to bring it to the track."

But Bean isn't the lone young-gun inside ARCA's top five who has an opportunity to draw attention away from the drivers who currently have an affiliation with NASCAR owners. Justin Allgaier is another young talent who won last season on the dirt at Springfield and spent a short time racing in the Craftsman Truck Series. Another win in the ARCA RE/MAX Series could open the door for Allgaier.

One driver reaping the benefits of winning this season is Chad McCumbee. After winning at Nashville earlier this season, McCumbee signed with Petty Enterprises to drive a limited Nextel Cup Series schedule. With last weekend's ARCA win at Pocono in a Petty Enterprises car, McCumbee became the first two-time winner in ARCA this season and realizes the value of an ARCA victory. Speaking about getting noticed by the Petty's, McCumbee said, "They had been watching and it just worked out perfect timing because we went to Nashville, had a strong run and won that race and I think everything happens for a reason."

I also believe things happen for a reason and I can't help but to think that something special is going to happen at Michigan this weekend. Whether it's another first time winner or ARCA history is made when one of the two female drivers wins the race, it's still my belief that watching a driver pull another "Stremme" on the field isn't going to happen this time at Michigan.

Mike Harper is an ARCA RE/MAX Series contributor for SPEEDtv.com, and host of Inside the ARCA RE/MAX Series radio show on RaceTalkRadio.com.

ARCARacing.com