NFL
By: Zachary Draves
After being behind for most of the Calypso 150 at Iowa Speedway, Luke Fenhaus had the good fortune of a late race caution that gave him enough time to win his first ARCA Menards Series race and his second of the ARCA series east division.
In the process, he became the second driver in 2023 to earn his first main ARCA victory in his first start. The field consisted of 20 drivers and 14 rookies, which included Fenhaus.
This also marks the second time that Fenhaus came from behind to defeat eventual runner up William Sawalich. Earlier in the season at the Music City 200 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, Fenhaus was given a lifeline of a late race caution that enabled him to take the lead on the late restart and secure the victory.
(Courtesy: ARCA Racing)
The race was slow paced for the most part with little action other than seven cautions and two scheduled breaks at lap 50 and 100. Sawalich, who won the pole position, led the most laps and held onto the lead for the majority of the race.
Fenhaus was behind by nearly two seconds for much of the race, but began to close the interval little by little by being in good track position.
It all came down to the final laps of the race when Connor Jones crashed on what was certain to be a Sawalich victory. The caution led to a two lap shootout to decide the winner. Fenhaus came back and just at the right time took over the lead with one lap remaining.
HE STEALS IT AGAIN!
Just like he did at Nashville, @luke_fenhaus steals the lead on the final restart at @iowaspeedway to score his first ARCA Menards Series victory!#Calypso150 | @MenardsRacing pic.twitter.com/AJ2IweCFHy
— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) July 16, 2023
His victory also ends the three year dominance of Joe Gibbs Racing at Iowa Speedway. Since 2020, Joe Gibbs Racing has won this even with grandson Ty Gibbs winning twice in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, Brandon Jones came away with the win. Gibbs competes full time in the NASCAR Cup Series whereas Jones competes full time in the Xfinity Series.
(Courtesy: Troy Hyde/Newton News)
Sawalich, a Gibbs driver, was poised to make it four consecutive.
Points leader Jesse Love finished in 3rd place and continues to hold onto the points lead. He is now 49 points over Frankie Muniz in second.
Muniz, the famed actor known for his role in the hit 2000s show Malcolm in the Middle, continues to make inroads as arguably the most recognizable driver with appeal beyond the racing. Throughout the race, he stayed within the top ten after starting in 8th.
Earlier in the race, it looked as though he would have spun out coming out of turn four after being contacted from behind by Christian Rose, But he managed to stay in control and finished in 9th.
FRANKIE WITH THE SAVE!@frankiemuniz | @iowaspeedway | #Calypso150 pic.twitter.com/P468oPZDJH
— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) July 16, 2023
Rounding out the top 5 Lavar Scott and Toni Breidinger. Rose, Jones, Muniz, and Jon Garrett rounded out the top 10.
The ARCA Menards Series is now headed to Pocono Raceway for the Sunset Hill Shooting on Friday, July 21 at 6 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 and livestream on FloRacing.com.
