Sanchez and Siegel earn historic first ARCA Menards Series win as team prepares for final race of the season
Concord, NC— Nick Sanchez, a 20-year-old rookie from Miami, Florida, and member of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program garnered his first ARCA Menards Series (AMS) win at Kansas Speedway in the Reese’s 150 on October 23rd. This victory happened during the AMS season-finale, where history was made for both Sanchez and team-owner Max Siegel.
According to AMS reporter Tadd Haislop, “Max Siegel, the owner of Rev Racing and Sanchez’s No. 2 Chevrolet, became the first Black team owner to score a superspeedway victory in the ARCA Menards Series dating back to the series’ first superspeedway race in 1964.” Siegel was also confirmed as the only Black owner to ever win an AMS race in the history of the Series.
“I have always believed in my heart that with opportunity, the right support and development, that talented drivers can achieve success regardless of race or gender,” said Max Siegel, Rev Racing Owner. “I have been committed to the development of talent and the Drive for Diversity Program now for 13 years. This win reflects the hard work and dedication of the entire Rev Racing organization and we will continue to develop drivers and crew members for years to come.”
Sanchez, the program’s most seasoned-driver in 2021, led the last two laps of the race before earning his first AMS victory. These laps also happened to be his first laps led in his AMS career. Sanchez earned 9 top 5s and 13 top 10s, finishing his 2021 ARCA Menards Series rookie season third in points behind Ty Gibbs and Cory Heim.
“I am still on cloud nine,” said Nick Sanchez, driver of the No. 2 Chevy. “The team and I have worked so hard all year and just have not been able to cross the finish line first. I can’t thank everyone enough, but this is a true testament that commitment and focus will eventually yield results. We are ready to head to Phoenix and finish this season out strong.”
Teammate, Rajah Caruth, finished 10th in the Reese’s 150. Caruth, who earned one top-5 and four top 10s in just five AMS races, is the first driver from an iRacing background to be selected for the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program. Caruth, who ran full-time this year in the ARCA Menards Series East, finished third in East Series points in his rookie season.
Both Sanchez and Caruth, announced in the past months, plans to run a multi-race schedule in the NASCAR Xfinity Series next season while competing full-time with Rev Racing in the AMS in 2022.
Both drivers will return to action November 6th, at Phoenix Raceway, to participate in the Arizona Lottery 100, which also marks the final race of the ARCA Menards Series West. Sanchez will pilot the No. 2 Sunoco Chevrolet and Caruth the No. 66 UTI/NTI Chevrolet. Qualifications are set to begin at 9 am MT, with the Start of the Arizona Lottery 100 (100 miles / 100 laps) at 12:00 pm MT. The race will be offered on a live stream available on NBC Sports Gold’s TrackPass.
About Rev Racing: Rev Racing seeks to obtain the highest quality applicants representing diverse backgrounds and develop them into successful NASCAR drivers. Started by Max Siegel in 2009, Rev Racing manages the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program. Rev Racing currently operates and manages drivers in the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, and a youth racing initiative.