Watching an ARCA Menards Series East race these days, it seems like many of the drivers and teams are cut from the same mold. The winning teams are owned by NASCAR national series owners; the last four champions’ teams have been owned by Coy Gibbs (son of NASCAR Cup Series owner Joe), Maury Gallagher (of GMS Racing) and David Gilliland (David Gilliland Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series).
Many recent champions have since stepped up in the NASCAR ranks. Cup champions Joey Logano and Kyle Larson are former East champions as are Cup regulars Harrison Burton, Justin Haley and William Byron. Other national series drivers include Tyler Ankrum, defending Truck Series champion Ben Rhodes, Ryan Truex and Sam Mayer.
Recent seasons have been watered-down affairs; the schedule is short and so are the fields. In 2021, just six drivers competed in all eight races on the schedule. The schedule has shrunk from 20 or more events to 10-15 to just seven this season.
But it hasn’t always been this way.
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