The 2024 ARCA Menards Series season is half over. At Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, in a combination race with the ARCA Menards Series East, it was East points leader Connor Zilisch who led a race-high 89 laps and withstood an overtime restart to claim his third national triumph of the year.
For the first time all year, the national tour series regulars put up a good fight against the East regulars. The Rev Racing duo of Andres Perez and Lavar Scott finished second and fourth with leading 44 laps.
With their 1-2 finish, Zilisch and Perez extended their points leads in the East and national tour.
As a result, the Frontstretch power rankings shook up this week.
1. Connor Zilisch
By virtue of his starts in the national/East combo races, Zilisch has made 10 starts in the ARCA platform. Here are his stats: seven wins, 10 top fives, 10 top 10s and 650 laps led.
That’s not just good, that’s outstanding!
Oh yeah, he’s 3-for-3 in his main series starts this year.
For the cherry on top, he turned 18 on July 22. In addition to scoring a win at IRP on his birthday weekend, Zilisch is eligible to compete at all racetracks on the NASCAR and ARCA circuits. His next ARCA start will be his first at an ARCA big track, Michigan International Speedway. Don’t bet against him then either.
2. Andres Perez
Perez finished second for the third time in his career. Furthermore, he extended his points lead by continuing to be a model of consistency. Back-to-back top fives and nine straight top 10s have grown his lead to 46, almost a full race worth of points.
Perez’s consistency exists all race day too. In 2024, he has one start outside the top 10, 13th at Daytona International Speedway, and one pole at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The FOX Sports announcers predicted it’s only a matter of time before Perez earns his first career win.
How about at Salem Speedway? He started fifth and finished second there in 2023 behind championship winner Jesse Love. Venturini Motorsports has not been as fast in 2024, Corey Day is debuting for Pinnacle Racing Group and Perez does not need to worry about points there. He will be one to watch.
3. William Sawalich
William Sawalich fought valiantly for the win at IRP, but after leading 72 laps, he failed to overtake Zilisch in overtime and lost second to Perez, winding up third.
With two races left in the East…
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