BROOKLYN, Mich. — Incomes one other ARCA Menards Collection checkered flag on Friday night required Brenden Queen to placed on a defensive clinic.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Collection driver Corey Heim, a late addition to Friday’s race, was a relentless presence in Queen’s rearview mirror in the course of the closing levels of the Henry Ford Well being 200 at Michigan Worldwide Speedway.
The one issues Queen might do had been break the draft and dump as a lot soiled air on Heim’s entrance bumper as he might.
Queen withstood Heim’s spirited cost to say his third ARCA Menards Collection victory throughout seven profession begins. The ultimate laps featured loads of stress and included contact with Gio Ruggiero on the ultimate restart, however the at all times jovial Queen was elated to have fun a win in his first journey to Michigan.
“I’ve a lot respect for [Heim] and Gio [Ruggiero],” Queen stated. ‘What occurred with me and Gio going into [turn] three [on the last restart], I’m unsure if I turned in early. If it was my fault, I’m sorry. We had been racing for the win there.
“I knew I used to be going to have to carry off Heim Time there, however it’s Bean Nation time tonight!”
Recognized for his effectivity on brief tracks on the East Coast, all three of Queen’s checkered flags have come on tracks bigger than a mile-and-a-half.
Queen opened his maiden ARCA Menards Collection marketing campaign with Pinnacle Racing Group by prevailing at Daytona Worldwide Speedway. It might be almost three months earlier than Queen returned to victory lane, as he capped off a near-perfect day at Kansas Speedway by besting William Sawalich in a one-lap shootout.
Misfortune at Talladega Superspeedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway prevented Queen from getting into Michigan with the ARCA Menards Collection factors lead. With Queen’s deficit to Lavar Scott solely 4 factors, all he wanted was a flawless outing within the Henry Ford Well being 200 to swing momentum again in his favor.
Briefly shedding the highest spot to Ruggiero on the primary restart of the day was Queen’s solely mishap round Michigan’s two-mile format. Queen utilized the uncooked pace of his No. 28 PRG Chevrolet to say his first Normal Tire Pole Award and lead essentially the most laps, but a victory was removed from assured with Heim making use of relentless strain.
Heim, who was substituting for an unwell Jake Finch within the No. 25 Toyota for Venturini Motorsports, had not run an ARCA Menards Collection occasion since successful at Kansas in 2022. Discovering correct stability with the automotive took time for Heim, however he recommended crew chief Shannon Rusch for the changes that helped get ready to problem Queen.
“Our automobiles had been very equal, so I feel [it came down to] monitor place,” Heim stated. “Not having run certainly one of these items in a very long time, it’s powerful to dial that in. That final run was by far our greatest. We kind of struggled with it for the primary two stints. The No. 28 was actually, actually fast and Butterbean did an amazing job as nicely.
“It’s actually powerful to beat that, so props to these guys.”
With the ability to fend off Heim for the victory might probably be essential to Queen’s championship hopes if one pattern stays intact.
Three of the final 4 ARCA Menards Collection winners at Michigan have gone on to win the collection championship. The one certainly one of that group not to take action was Connor Zilisch in 2024, who was driving a part-time schedule with PRG.
With three victories already to his title this season, Queen is rising as a favourite for the 2025 ARCA Menards Collection title, as he now holds a six-point benefit on Scott.
“It’s insane,” Queen stated. “I’m representing all my guys again at Langley [Speedway]. They work so arduous. It began again in Legends automobiles with Phil Warren serving to me, [then] going to [Lee Pulliam’s team]. I’m tremendous pleased with this Pinnacle Racing Group. [This win] goes to those guys and everybody else again on the store.
“We’ve unbelievable automobiles each week they usually make me look good.”
Lawless Alan completed behind Queen and Heim in third, with Ruggiero and Scott rounding out the highest 5.
The end:
Brenden Queen, Corey Heim, Lawless Alan, Gio Ruggiero, Laver Scott, Thad Moffitt, Tyler Reif, Jason Kitzmiller, Isabella Robusto, Eloy Falcon, Caleb Costner, Ryan Routlette, Morgen Baird, Regina Sirvent, Michael Maples, Andy Jankowiak, Derek White, Kole Raz, Brayton Laster, Alex Clubb, Brad Smith, Tony Cosentino, Mike Basham, Jeffrey MacZink, Matt Kemp, Jeff Maconi, Nate Moeller.
