Lexington, OH. – Entering the first ARCA Menards Series road course race of the season at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, the top three drivers — Rajah Caruth, Nick Sanchez and Daniel Dye — were all separated by less than 10 points. When the checkered flag flew ending the Dawn 150 on Friday (July 8), all three remained close in the points as all three dealt with challenges throughout the 42 lap race.
In fact, only two of the three finished inside the top 10 and none of them finished on the lead lap. Dye finished one lap down in eighth place, Caruth finished two laps down in ninth and Sanchez finished 11th, also two laps down.
Mother Nature made a difference in the race outcome. The start of the race was delayed due to inclement weather, it slightly rained when the green flag flew and the 2.258-mile road course remained wet for at least half of the race. When the checkered flag flew with Taylor Gray in victory lane, the sun shone brightly.
Sanchez began the struggles for the trio when he suffered some early front-end damage to his No. 2 Chevrolet.
Caruth followed suit with multiple off-track excursions, including spinning his No. 6 Chevrolet.
Big trouble for ARCA championship leader @rajahcaruth_, who loses several spots after his latest spin.@FS1 | @Mid_Ohio pic.twitter.com/DQW2Q4fwv0
— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) July 8, 2022
Right before the competition caution at lap 21, Dye too went off track, albeit driving his No. 43 Chevrolet back on track as the race remained green.
A little visit to the beach for @danieldye43, but he’s able to get it going back again just in time for the competition caution. @FS1 | @Mid_Ohio pic.twitter.com/0EAf3vfreH
— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) July 8, 2022
When the competition caution flew, the field was split on pitting for slick tires or rain tires. Sanchez and Caruth both pitted for slicks whereas Dye stayed with rain tires.
Sanchez rocketed to the front, grabbing the lead. However, another caution followed suit, and Rev Racing made a disastrous mistake.
It pitted both its drivers for fresh tires, breaking an ARCA rule.
REMINDER – teams cannot change slicks to slicks under caution. Can go wets to slicks. The No. 2 and 6 are being penalized 2 laps.
— Charles Krall (@ChasKrall) July 8, 2022
The two-lap penalty ended the duo’s chances for a top five finish or better. Post-race, all three championship contenders were left shaking their heads, eager to move on to the next race at Pocono…
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