Open Race Thread: ARCA Series Messina Wildlife Animal Stopper 200 | Lucas Oil Raceway Park

UPDATE: 8:30 EST: Kyle Benjamin wins the ARCA CRA Super Late Model Series FatHeadz 100. ARCA Racing Series Presented by Menards Messina Wildlife Animal Stopper 200 is set to begin at the top of the hour.

I hope tonight’s ARCA Messina Wildlife Animal Stopper 200 serves as a reminder that NASCAR should have never left Lucas Oil Raceway in the first place.

The Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series ended their association with the famous half-mile at the end of the 2011 season in lieu of the Indiana Super Weekend involving GRAND-AM, Nationwide, and the Sprint Cup Series which debuts this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The decision to leave IRP was never about dwindling attendance or fan interest, but rather to make up for their losses at Indianapolis, a race that’s drastically fallen in prestige over the last decade. That decision was ultimately akin to fixing a problem with a problem.

This is not the long-term solution and it does nothing but hurt both the Brickyard and fans of traditional short track racing.

But enough with the history lesson; ARCA now assumes the main event role at this year’s IRP Speedfest and will no doubt put on the best show of the weekend. There’s no shortage of veteran short track drivers entered into tonight’s race, and combined with the rising young talent of the ARCA Series, tonight’s race promises to be must-see television.

A complete race preview and starting lineup can be found on the other side. See you in the comments section!

The recent stretch of speedway races has greatly consolidated the championship points battle. What was once a two-team battle between Chris Buescher and Brennan Poole has now shaped into a four-team affair with Buescher, Poole, Alex Bowman and Frank Kimmel all-separated by just 100 points.

When you consider that a race victory pays 200 points to win, you’ll realize just how close the contenders are. Three of the four have won multiple races with Frank Kimmel using sheer consistency to stay within striking distance. Kimmel is one of the most decorated drivers to ever race at IRP. He has just one start at the Speedway, last year, and finished third.

Tonight’s chassis selection also points to Kimmel as a favorite. Chassis A-1 has been used five times this season, notched two second-place finishes, and was most recently used at Iowa where Kimmel finished 5th. (Mobile - 17th, Salem - 2nd, Toledo - 2nd, Winchester - 11th, Iowa - 5th). So if there was ever a race crafted for Kimmel to break his long winless streak (75 races), this is it.

Kimmel will garner even more support from ThorSport, with the team’s Truck Series driver Matt Crafton set to make his season debut at tonight’s race. While the 2011 season has been a battle between Venturini and the Roulo Brothers, tonight’s race could be the breakout for ThorSport’s freshman ARCA Series program and nine-time Series champion Frank Kimmel.

Other contenders include Bowman, the winner of two of the last four races, and Chad Hackenbracht, one of the most undervalued short track drivers currently in ARCA. Hackenbracht put himself in great position to win the second race of the season at Mobile International Speedway, and could finally catch a winning break at Indianapolis.

But like we’ve said all year, this is the most diverse and competitive seasons in ARCA history, so don’t be surprised if a first-time or unexpected winner breaks through and hoists the trophy at the end of the night.

The 200-lap race is set to begin at 9:05 p.m. EST with the live television broadcast starting at approximately 9:00 p.m. on SPEED. Rick Allen will provide the live play-by-play.

Out media friends at Speed51 are on the grounds and providing their award-winning Trackside Now enhancement coverage. Give them a look-see for tonight’s CRA Super Series FatHeadz 100. Their radio broadcast starts at approximately 6:45 EST. Matt Prieur will handle play-by-play responsibilities.