Grant Enfinger returns home for inaugural ARCA/Mobile 200
Mobile, Ala. - Grant Enfinger is living proof that you can always go back home.
“I’m really excited about coming back to Mobile,” Enfinger said. “I may have been this most excited when rumors first surfaced that ARCA was coming to Mobile. I’m glad I have the opportunity to make this happen. I can’t wait to show the ARCA world this wonderful facility and hopefully we can go out there and win this thing.”
Having started his career at Mobile International Speedway, site of Saturday’s inaugural ARCA/Mobile 200, Enfinger still calls Mobile home. He’s spent the last two seasons competing in ARCA and NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series, but Mobile still holds a special place in Enfinger’s heart.
Enfinger returns to Mobile as the driver of the Bragg Racing Group #82 Ford Fusion and may have the best shot at capturing Mobile’s first ARCA trophy. This is the same team that powered Enfinger to a 12th place finish in last month’s Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway.
“This is the best group of guys I’ve ever been with,” Enfinger said. “I feel like we have a really good shot at winning this race. Josh Bragg is a really good crew chief and I feel like I have enough experience at the Speedway to really make a difference.”
Most of that experience at Mobile International Speedway came in a super late model, a completely different car than those featured in the ARCA Racing Series. ARCA cars feature an extra 1,000 horsepower and roughly 1,000 pounds compared to super late models.
Enfinger successfully made the transition from late models to the ARCA Series, winning the pole and finishing fourth at Berlin Speedway in July. Enfinger ran the full-season in 2011, ranking fourth in the final standings, finishing behind heavy-hitters Ty Dillon, Chris Buescher and Frank Kimmel.
It’s that level of experience that Enfinger hopes will propel him to victory on Saturday. The track is the same and the cars are familiar - but the same could be said for other Mobile Speedway veterans including Cale Gale, Chase Elliott and Bubba Pollard. While Enfinger would like to hoist the trophy, he feels that it’s important for the familiar faces to have a strong showing.
“I think Bubba has the best shot out of all the local guys,” Enfinger said. “But I think you have to consider Cale Gale too. He’s with a team in Eddie Sharp Racing that has support from Richard Childress Racing and has won championships at the highest level. Gale knows his way around Mobile and he’s bringing a strong team to the Speedway - it’s a perfect match for Saturday’s race.”
But don’t let the humility fool you - Grant Enfinger is in a great position to win the ARCA/Mobile 200 - and he knows it.
“I feel like we’re bringing a good car to Mobile,” Enfinger said. “We have big expectations and I’m hoping we win. It would be a big deal for a local guy to show the ARCA Series what it’s all about in Mobile.”
Practice will begin at 1:30 p.m. Central on Friday, March 9, and will last for three and a half hours. Qualifying will follow, starting at 7 p.m. The 200-lap, 100-mile Mobile ARCA 200 will start at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 10.
NASCAR Ranting and Raving content editor Matt Weaver will be live on-site at Mobile International Speedway and will post live updates to Twitter @MattWeaverSBN.
See More:
