Dodge, Chrysler, and Plymouth ARCA Wins
Thanks to Robert Gardetto (MoparBob)
and Jennifer Harrington
In 1953, John Marcum created the Midwest Association for Race Cars (MARC). A former NASCAR official, Marcum had raced open-wheel roadsters against NASCAR creator Bill France Sr. in the 1940s.
In 1964, France asked Marcum if he would like his series to be a part of the Daytona Speedweeks. The group's name was accordingly changed from MARC to the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA).
Dodge Daytonas and Plymouth Superbirds were raced in ARCA during the 1970s; Plymouth claimed two championships in the 1970s.
When Chrysler officially returned to ARCA racing in 1989, they developed a racing engine based on the trucks' 318/360 cid "LA" series V8s. The 355-cubic-inch engines, built by Arrow Racing Engines, were reliable and powerful, with the original setup having W-2 or W-5 Mopar heads, Diamond pistons, Keith Black crankshaft, and a modified Holley carburetor. (See our ARCA LeBaron page for more details.)
During the early 1990s, drivers such as Bob Keselowski, Ron Otto, and Jerry Churchill raced Chrysler LeBarons; Bob Keselowski was particularly successful. Next, Robbie Pyle and Roger Blackstock drove Dodge Avenger-bodied race cars, powered by the 355 V8, in the later 1990s. They later switched to Dodge Intrepids.
ARCA and NASCAR still schedule events at the same tracks, such as Daytona, Talladega, and Charlotte, on the same weekends. ARCA also holds races at smaller tracks. (See our exclusive interview with Dodge ARCA drivers Tom Hessert and Austin Wayne Self)
Dodge Victories
Thanks to Robert Gardetto (MoparBob)
and Jennifer Harrington
In 1953, John Marcum created the Midwest Association for Race Cars (MARC). A former NASCAR official, Marcum had raced open-wheel roadsters against NASCAR creator Bill France Sr. in the 1940s.
In 1964, France asked Marcum if he would like his series to be a part of the Daytona Speedweeks. The group's name was accordingly changed from MARC to the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA).
Dodge Daytonas and Plymouth Superbirds were raced in ARCA during the 1970s; Plymouth claimed two championships in the 1970s.
When Chrysler officially returned to ARCA racing in 1989, they developed a racing engine based on the trucks' 318/360 cid "LA" series V8s. The 355-cubic-inch engines, built by Arrow Racing Engines, were reliable and powerful, with the original setup having W-2 or W-5 Mopar heads, Diamond pistons, Keith Black crankshaft, and a modified Holley carburetor. (See our ARCA LeBaron page for more details.)
During the early 1990s, drivers such as Bob Keselowski, Ron Otto, and Jerry Churchill raced Chrysler LeBarons; Bob Keselowski was particularly successful. Next, Robbie Pyle and Roger Blackstock drove Dodge Avenger-bodied race cars, powered by the 355 V8, in the later 1990s. They later switched to Dodge Intrepids.
ARCA and NASCAR still schedule events at the same tracks, such as Daytona, Talladega, and Charlotte, on the same weekends. ARCA also holds races at smaller tracks. (See our exclusive interview with Dodge ARCA drivers Tom Hessert and Austin Wayne Self)
Dodge Victories
Date | Driver | Track | Laps | Track |
---|---|---|---|---|
7/3/1953 | Iggy Katona | Butler Speedway | 200 | N/A |
9/21/1957 | Roy Gemberling | Canfield Speedway | 100 | dirt |
1960s | ||||
8/27/1961 | Bob James | Heidelberg Raceway | 500 | dirt |
10/8/1961 | Kenny Reeder | Cloverleaf Speedway | 200 | paved |
3/22/1964 | Ernie Derr | Joseph F. Meyer Speedway | 200 | paved |
6/5/1966 | Butch Hartman | Salem Speedway | 100 | paved |
6/18/1966 | Iggy Katona | Cloverleaf Speedway | 100 | paved |
7/4/1966 | Les Snow | Toledo Speedway | 100 | paved |
9/5/1966 | Les Snow | Toledo Speedway | 100 | paved |
10/2/1966 | Iggy Katona | Dayton Speedway | 200 | paved |
2/12/1967 | Les Snow | Daytona | 63 | paved |
3/30/1967 | Les Snow | Longhorn Speedway | 100 | paved |
3/31/1967 | Les Snow | Pan-American Speedway | 100 | paved |
4/1/1967 | Les Snow | Corpus Christi Speedway | 100 | paved |
4/2/1967 | Iggy Katona | Joseph F. Meyer Speedway | 200 | paved |
4/30/1967 | Iggy Katona | Toledo Speedway | 100 | paved |
5/29/1967 | Iggy Katona | Lorain County Speedway | 100 | |
7/15/1967 | Iggy Katona | Anderson Speedway | 500 | |
8/13/1967 | Jay Wyatt | Northern Kentucky/ Florence Speedway | 100 | dirt |
8/20/1967 | Les Snow | Salem Speedway | 100 | paved |
9/4/1967 | Andy Hampton | Toledo Speedway | 100 | paved |
2/18/1968 | Andy Hampton | Daytona | 120 | paved |
3/20/1968 | Iggy Katona | Corpus Christi Speedway | 100 | paved |
5/18/1968 | Andy Hampton | Music City Motorplex | 200 | paved |
5/29/1968 | Andy Hampton | Berlin Raceway | 100 | dirt |
6/23/1968 | Iggy Katona | Northern Kentucky/ Florence Speedway | 100 | dirt |
7/6/1968 | Iggy Katona | Beaver Valley Speedway | 100 | N/A |
7/28/1968 | Andy Hampton | Baer Field Raceway | 100 | paved |
8/18/1968 | Andy Hampton | Morehead Speedway | 100 | N/A |
8/24/1968 | Andy Hampton | Anderson Speedway | 500 | |
10/5/1968 | Iggy Katona | Taylor County Speedway | 100 | dirt/clay |
11/17/1968 | Bobby Watson | Bristol Motor Speedway | 211 | paved |
4/20/1969 | Bobby Watson | Fairgrounds Motor Speedway | 100 | paved |
5/10/1969 | Andy Hampton | Music City Motorplex | 200 | paved |
5/30/1969 | Bobby Watson | Pocono Raceway | 200 | paved |
6/8/1969 | Andy Hampton | Salem Speedway | 100 | |
7/5/1969 | Bobby Watson | Salyersville Speedway | 100 | N/A |
8/10/1969 | Bobby Watson | Fairgrounds Motor Speedway | 500 | paved |
8/30/1969 | Bobby Watson | Flat Rock Speedway | 100 | paved |
9/1/1969 | Bobby Watson | Lorain County Speedway | 100 | |
10/26/1969 | Jim Vandiver | Talladega Superspeedway | 500 | paved |
1970s | ||||
4/26/1970 | Bobby Watson | Toledo Speedway | 50 | paved |
5/30/1970 | Andy Hampton | Lorain County Speedway | 50 | |
5/31/1970 | Iggy Katona | Sharon Speedway | 50 | |
7/4/1970 | Andy Hampton | Lorain County Speedway | 50 | |
7/19/1970 | Iggy Katona | Trumbull County Speedway | 100 | 1/4 mile |
8/29/1970 | Andy Hampton | Flat Rock Speedway | 100 | paved |
9/13/1970 | Iggy Katona | Salem Speedway | 100 | paved |
2/7/1971 | Iggy Katona | Daytona | 120 | paved |
5/8/1971 | Kenny Reiter | Fairgrounds Motor Speedway | 100 | paved |
Dodge pulls all manufacturer support from its teams and leaves ARCA. Individual teams race Dodges until 1980. |