American Racing News Vol 1, Issue 2 Issue 3 | Page 29

Composite Bodies to debut
at Pocono
by Don Radebaugh | ARCA.COM

TOLEDO, OH ) – Car Counts for the ARCA Racing
Series presented by Menards are up about 10% from
2015 to 2016. So is the number on composite body
cars with at least 20 in each short track event. Now,
make way for the composite cars to begin filling fields
on the big tracks, beginning at Pocono Raceway in
early June.

retardant panels are flange-fitted together for easy
installation in the shop or at track.
In addition to a car that looks nearly identical to a
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series machine, running an ARCA composite body car also brings a weight advantage.
The ARCA Rule book provides for a one-hundred
pound weight reduction. The composite car can weigh
3,300 pounds as opposed to the steel car, which has to
weigh 3,400.
In regards to the composite car, ARCA Racing Series
teams have the option to compete with showroom
stock-appearing Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion and
Chevrolet SS body packages..

Officials announced in October 2015 that the composite material, flange-fit body, which debuted in 2015 on
tracks one mile and less in length, would be approved
for competition on all tracks except Talladega and
Daytona in 2016. The body’s debut was met with
resounding applause from team participants and race
fans alike. Not only did the car perform successfully in
competition, the aesthetically appealing new design
was a crowd pleaser everywhere.
That said, the evolution of the composite body car will
now take another giant step forward when it makes its
superspeedway debut on track at Pocono Raceway.
The car has already been tested at Daytona Int’l Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway in 2015, and has
spent its share of time in wind tunnels over the last
several months.
The composite bodies are a lightweight, state-of-theart laminate blend, less than 135 pounds. Designed
without compromising rigidity, the 12 separate flame

The composite body project is part of an overall cost
containment initiative for the ARCA Racing Series
presented by Menards. The project was conducted in
conjunction with NASCAR and Five Star Race Car
Bodies, and the body is also widely used by race teams
in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West.
Since 1953, the ARCA Racing Series presented by
Menards has offered race fans a diverse brand of stock
car racing on short tracks, dirt tracks, road courses and
superspeedways. Founded by John and Mildred Marcum, the ARCA Racing Series is a destination for
professional race drivers and a developmental series
which transitions and prepares drivers for the advancement of their careers into the highest levels of the sport.

Asphalt | American Racing News | 29