The ARCA Daytona 200 was indeed completed after its race date was moved up from Saturday to Friday (Feb. 16). However, it was a messy season opener.
Unofficially, the nine-caution ARCA Menards Series 2024 season opener tied the 1989 race at Daytona International Speedway for the most cautions in a race there. Only 10 drivers finished on the lead lap, the final one which resulted in a large multi-car crash.
After all the melee, Frontstretch ARCA editor Mark Kristl presents the series’ first power rankings of the 2024 season.
1. Gus Dean
Gus Dean won at Daytona for the first time in his career. He has now won at both Daytona and Talladega Superspeedway, both known for drafting-style racing and The Big One.
Dean’s victory was not marked without incident, however. While he only led the final two laps, the way he gained the lead came with criticism.
On the final restart, which was a one-lap overtime finish, Dean chose the bottom lane. His Venturini Motorsports teammate Jake Finch chose the top on the promise that Dean would allow Finch to drop down in front of him, thereby allowing the VMS duo to work together to ensure a team victory whilst battling it out for the 1-2 finish. Dean’s lie cost Finch a shot at the win, but Dean still took VMS to victory lane.
The win was a significant milestone for VMS. The Toyota powerhouse, which won both the owner and drivers’ championships last season with Jesse Love, scored its 100th series win. It is a heck of an accomplishment for the team. Dean angered some people, including Finch’s spotter Tyler Monn, with his lie, but he was still proud to give VMS its 100th win.
2. Jake Finch
Finch unofficially led 65 laps. He had the best car throughout the 84-lap race, surviving all the carnage until the last lap. He worked well with Dean. Finch cannot be faulted for Dean’s decision. Quite the contrary. Had Dean said he would race for the win before the restart, Finch probably would have selected the bottom lane for the restart.
Before the ARCA Daytona 200, Finch’s only other experience at the 2.5-mile superspeedway was the 2024 preseason test. He posted the fastest lap at…
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