When the green flag waves for Saturday Night’s Berlin ARCA 200, not one, but two drivers will be making their ARCA Racing Series Debut. Landon Huffman and Quinnton Bear will be racing for Venturini Motorsports and Mason Mitchell Motorsports respectively.
Berlin ARCA 200 Features Two Debuts
Landon Huffman – Venturini Motorsports
Huffman comes into the Venturini #15 car as a third generation driver out of Claremont, North Carolina. He will become the seventh different driver to take the wheel behind the 15 car.
“This is truly one of the biggest highlights of my career so far,” Huffman said. “I’m humbled and thankful for the opportunity this coming weekend to drive for Venturini Motorsports. It’s been a long time coming – there’s been a lot of great people who’ve helped me get to this point in my career. I can’t think of a better opportunity to show what I can do inside a racecar.”
However, it wont be a completely new look for Huffman, who has traveled and gotten acquainted with the team throughout the season.
“I’ve traveled with VMS several times throughout the season and have spotted a couple of times. There’s no doubt this has been helpful. Getting to know the guys and getting a feel for how the team operates at the track has been a great experience,” Huffman said. “I’m really comfortable with everyone and feel well prepared for the weekend. Billy (Venturini) has been a huge help prepping me – I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do and just maybe I’ll be able to help end Chase Briscoe’s current ARCA Series winning streak.”
Huffman will be taking calls from Crew Chief, Jeff McClure, who helped Christopher Bell win in his ARCA Debut earlier this season.
Quinnton Bear – Mason Mitchell Motorsports
Last Year’s JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year winner, Quinnton Bear, will be piloting Mason Mitchell Motorsports’ #98 car at Berlin on Saturday.
Although it will be Bear’s first ARCA Series start, the Avon, Indiana native will be making his fourth career start at Berlin.
“Berlin is a very finicky track. Hitting your marks every lap is difficult along with saving tires at Berlin is more challenging. “It’s fun because it is so challenging from a driver’s standpoint and your able to race side-by-side with drivers without making contact.”
“I’ve never raced on a radial tyre and word is they fall off a lot faster. So I need to be smooth behind the wheel and save the tyres for long runs and keep all the fenders on it because this place loves downforce as well.”
In his previous three starts at Berlin, Bear averages a starting spot of 3.6 and has two top tens.
“Every driver hopes for getting that one opportunity to shine and show what he is capable of doing behind the wheel” Bear explained. “Not only am I getting the opportunity to drive in ARCA but to drive with a well prepared team that knows how to get to victory lane.
Bear will not only be driving with a team that has been in victory lane, but the car he will drive on Saturday (Chassis No. 593) earned team owner Mason Mitchell’s first ARCA win in 2014 at Chicagoland.
Saturday night’s race will start at 8:30pm ET and will be broadcasted live and for free on the American Sports Network.
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