Winning Father-Son Duos in ARCA

When the ARCA Menards Series field takes the green flag at Elko Speedway on Saturday (Aug. 3), there will be an addition to the record books. Yes, there will be a new victor there, but this achievement is different. Clubb Racing Inc. will have the Clubb father-son duo racing with owner/driver Alex Clubb in his usual No. 03 and his father Brian Clubb in the No. 86.

Although numerous fathers and sons have raced in ARCA, especially with the ARCA Menards Series East and West as part of the series platform, only eight father-son duos have gone to victory lane in ARCA competition.

Those eight are Bobby and Davey Allison, Jack and Bobby Bowsher, Jerry and Randy Churchill, Bob and Brian Keselowski, Bill and Frank Kimmel, Scott and Scott Lagasse Jr., Tracy and Billy Leslie, Kyle and Adam Petty, and Bill and Billy Venturini.

Of the eight, the most accomplished pair are the Bowshers. Jack Bowsher won three straight titles from 1963-65 and is third all-time in series wins with 49. His successes came within about three years as he first won at 0.5-mile short track Canfield Speedway in Canfield, Ohio on April 20, 1963. His last win was at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 20, 1966.

Bobby Bowsher continued his father’s legacy with two titles and 17 triumphs. Furthermore, from 1989-96, Bowsher finished inside the top 10 in points each season. In his second title season of 1994, Bowsher won three times and beat ARCA winningest driver Frank Kimmel, Bob Keselowski, current ARCA team owner Jeff McClure and Bill Venturini for the title. Randy Churchill, one of those winning father-son combos, won as well.

Speaking of the Kimmels, Frank Kimmel is the series GOAT. With 10 titles, 80 wins, and the only driver to lead more than 10,000 laps — he led 11,275 — among his records, his records may never be beaten, even as the series has undergone many changes. Consider this about Kimmel: He won four times in 2013, his final championship-winning year, at age 51. You might’ve heard of his team too; it’s storied NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team ThorSport Racing.

Kimmel’s dad Bill Sr. won once in ARCA, albeit in three career starts.

Frank’s son Frankie made 11 ARCA starts and accrued three top 10s, all at Salem Speedway. Frankie Kimmel now serves as a spotter in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Instead, Frank’s nephew Will Kimmel carries on the Kimmel name in ARCA racing. In 135 starts, Will remains winless with his career-best of second set…