With four consecutive ARCA Menards Series top 10 finishes on the books, Greg Van Alst and his Greg Van Alst Motorsports team headed to Elko Speedway for Saturday night’s Menards 250, focused on continuing to improve their short track program.
Last weekend at Berlin (Mich.) Raceway, Van Alst and his #35 CB Fabricating Ford Fusion made steady progress throughout the day and night, culminating in a fourth top 10 finish in the 2022 ARCA Menards Series Team of the Season, but for the Anderson, Ind. native, running in the top 10 isn’t exciting.
Sure, the solid finishes are a good base for the veteran racer who endured three straight races of heartbreak to open his first full year of ARCA competition — but after inhaling a top-five finish at Charlotte (NC) Motor Speedway last month — the former ARCA | The CRA champion is eager to get back into the top five and fight for podium performances.
“Berlin suited us,” Van Alst said. “We made good progress throughout the day so we’re not unhappy with our performance, but we left the race track hungry for more. We worked diligently on our short track program – knowing that’s where we need to improve.
“We’ve made some gains over the past two weeks so we’re moving in the right direction, but there’s still a lot of work to do.”
Minnesota’s Elko Speedway will conclude ARCA’s three-race short track series and although Van Alst has never raced the 3/8 mile cobbled oval, he looks forward to a competitive race on the most small circuit track.
“It’s been a lot of fun going back to my short track racing roots and having some pretty solid racing with our #35 CB Fabricating Ford Fusion,” Van Alst said. “Berlin was another race where patience was rewarded with another strong finish.
“This weekend at Elko will be a bit of a similar scenario for me. Even though I had raced in Berlin, I didn’t have as much experience in an ARCA car as it will be for Elko. Practice is going to be important for us to use what we learned in Berlin and see if we find a rhythm that allows us to compete with those top five guys.
“Hopefully a smaller track will maybe even bring the peloton closer together this weekend and create some good side-by-side racing.”
Van Alst has heard and seen from studying previous Elko Speedway ARCA races that tire conservation is key and could be the formula that propels his family team to Victory Lane.
“Managing your pace helps you manage your tires and whoever has the best grip will be close to the front for the win on Saturday night, I just hope it’s us.”
Chris Barkdull’s CB Fabricating, a long-time partner of Greg Van Alst Motorsports, has reinforced its commitment to the team and will continue its role as lead marketing partner for Van Alst’s #35 Ford Fusion.
Based in Anderson, Ind., CB Fabricating offers a full listing of fabrication from design, laser cutting, CNC punching, forming, welding, powder coating and assembly.
Their 26,000 square foot facility allows them to meet the needs of many different industries. Everything from automotive, agriculture, water, medical, transportation, electrical enclosures and more.
“A streak of four consecutive top-10 finishes is the type of pace that will keep Chris and everyone on this team going for the long haul. He continues to be excited about the journey and longevity of our team and so am I. We are ready for a return to the top five and that is what we are focused on.
“With each race completed, it’s a small victory for our team knowing the big mountain that remains to be climbed. I am grateful to have the support of Chris and CB Fabricating.
In addition to CB Fabricating, Top Choice Fence, Norton Transport, KRJ Race Products and Lintz Creative will serve as associate marketing partners for Van Alst’s 19th ARCA start.
Entering Elko, Van Alst sits a career-high sixth in the ARCA Menards Series championship standings, two points behind fifth and 57 markers behind championship leader Rajah Caruth.
“Step by step and with a bit of luck, I hope that we will soon find ourselves in the championship table,” said Van Alst. “We should be competing for the first five races consistently, but it’s a tough series and we’re still proud of where we are.
“We’ll get there eventually.”
To learn more about Greg Van Alst and Greg Van Alst Motorsports, visit GregVanAlst.com, like him on Facebook (Van Alst Motorsports) and follow him on Twitter (@GregVanAlst35).
To learn more about CB Fabricating, please visit CBFabricating.com and like them on Facebook (CB Fabricating).
The Menards 250 (250 laps | 94 miles) is the eighth of 20 races on the program for the ARCA Menards 2022 series. A final practice will begin on Saturday, June 25, 2022, from 3:30 p.m. will follow shortly thereafter beginning at 5:00 p.m. The event will be televised live on MAVTV and FloRacing beginning at 8:30 p.m. ARCARacing.com will also be broadcasting live timing and scores throughout the weekend festivities. . All times are local (CT).
Greg Van Alst PR
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